Pup 'n' Taco


Pup 'N' Taco was a privately-owned chain of fast-food restaurants in Southern California, with its headquarters based in Long Beach, California.
The business was begun by Russell Wendell in 1956. At that time, it was only a drive-in restaurant that served both tacos and hot dogs. At the time Russell owned a chain successful doughnut stores in Los Angeles - Big DoNut - which featured gigantic doughnuts on top of a drive-in bakery.
The first officially branded Pup 'N' Taco was opened in Pasadena, California in 1965.
The menu consisted of tacos, tostadas, pastrami sandwiches, burgers, several varieties of hot dog (the "pup" in Pup 'N' Taco) and french fries. Beverages included R.C. Cola, root beer and a variety of flavored slushes.
Ninety-nine stores were bought by Taco Bell in 1984, effectively ending the history of the chain.


However,

The operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico were not included in the deal and two still exist today as Pop 'N' Taco.

They Always Come Back:
Eat at Pop 'n' Taco Here. The menu has not changed.

Read all about the history of Pup 'n' Taco here.

7 comments:

Luke said...

Now I feel the need to make a road trip to Albuquerque!

Unknown said...

Awesome, lol!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

I love Pup 'n' Taco...I did not know what "Pup" meant...now I do! :) I grew up with Pup 'n' Taco in the valley...they had 2 totasda special for 19 cents...way back when! Great web site! :) I thought Del Taco bought them...now I know it was Taco Bell! :)

Unknown said...

the third Pop 'n' Taco was in Pasadena, same as the first, but in a different location. It is now a fast food drive through vegetarian stand. So sad, we have many vegetarian places in LA, but there was only one Pop 'n' Taco left.

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Used to work at store #67 in Long CA first job I got on my own,1973. Worked my way to management, had my own store. Miss P'n'T greatly, so much better than Taco Bell.