Taco Bueno

[Bocephus123]

WAY back in the early 90's, I worked my way through college at the Stillwater store and a couple others. Ended up being an assistant manager and then store manager. Back then, the food was really good. Horribly labor intensive, pretty much everything was from scratch. The tortillas came prepackaged, but not fried for chips, tacos, etc. All the other food came in raw and uncut. I remember thinking we were movin on up when we started getting lettuce pre-shredded. The beans had to cook overnight and were actually twice cooked.

I don't know if the food is made the same, but I do remember the higher ups were extremely focused on keeping labor costs in line (stores were all corporate; not sure if there are franchises now-I think there are). We had to plan and justify labor costs on an hourly basis. They never wanted any "extra" people around. If you went to Taco Bell around 10 p.m., you'd probably see 7-9 people working. At Bueno, it would be 3, max.

When I started, drive through was about 40% of the volume. By the time I left, it was over 60%. That location runs a TON more through the drive through from what I've seen. I could darn sure see them deciding the dining room isn't worth opening, they can save a couple people and blame "labor shortages".

I've got a couple kids who are looking for jobs, applied at places claiming they're short handed, but hearing nothing but crickets. I'm beginning to think some places have decided not to replace lost labor from COVID and if someone complains, just say "sorry, we're short handed". Perhaps I'm wrong. But I'm seeing a lot of this.

Bueno used to be great food not so much now. think the business plan is still there. just getting people to make the food and clean the store is the problem.

 

[Ryan500L]

WAY back in the early 90's, I worked my way through college at the Stillwater store and a couple others. Ended up being an assistant manager and then store manager. Back then, the food was really good. Horribly labor intensive, pretty much everything was from scratch. The tortillas came prepackaged, but not fried for chips, tacos, etc. All the other food came in raw and uncut. I remember thinking we were movin on up when we started getting lettuce pre-shredded. The beans had to cook overnight and were actually twice cooked.

I don't know if the food is made the same, but I do remember the higher ups were extremely focused on keeping labor costs in line (stores were all corporate; not sure if there are franchises now-I think there are). We had to plan and justify labor costs on an hourly basis. They never wanted any "extra" people around. If you went to Taco Bell around 10 p.m., you'd probably see 7-9 people working. At Bueno, it would be 3, max.

When I started, drive through was about 40% of the volume. By the time I left, it was over 60%. That location runs a TON more through the drive through from what I've seen. I could darn sure see them deciding the dining room isn't worth opening, they can save a couple people and blame "labor shortages".

I've got a couple kids who are looking for jobs, applied at places claiming they're short handed, but hearing nothing but crickets. I'm beginning to think some places have decided not to replace lost labor from COVID and if someone complains, just say "sorry, we're short handed". Perhaps I'm wrong. But I'm seeing a lot of this.

I think your right, it's easier for them and cheaper to just lock the doors and close the lobby area rather than let people in and having to have someone clean it. That's why I find some other place to eat, I'm not paying good money to set and eat in my truck.

 

[Uncle Meat]

The Bueno in BA has consistently been awful.
Terrible service, filthy, and the saltiest food I've ever tasted.

 

[AKguy1985]

According to the show undercover boss, one of the Owasso taco Buenos is the best in the company. Personally, I haven't been to taco Bueno in a few months.

 

[JD8]

Eat at home.

That's fair. But if you can't....

 

[joegrizzy]

bueno more like no bueno amirite?

taco mayo is at least a local chain.

 

[Michael Armstrong]

Ask them what they are paying and you will know why

 

[joegrizzy]

so many of these companies failed, went completely bankrupt in 2008, got TARP funds, survived until now paying wages that don't even work for a high school student, and now are wondering why they are failing.

 

[AKguy1985]

I'm pretty sure taco Bueno filed bankruptcy. ETA: They did in 2018

https://www.qsrmagazine.com/finance/tex-mex-chain-taco-bueno-files-bankruptcy

 

[madokie]

i always eat the taco platter(3.99) on tuesday (u can get it grande size for a dollar more ,and get a 3rd full size taco,)at bueno at 39 and meridian ,(its the only time i drink coke) in nw okc,, not a fancy one but usually clean and the food always tastes good... a nicer one is at nw 65 and may, but i havent been there in a year or two...yes back during covid they closed dine in,, but its always open now ,always at least 4 workers there..Del taco is opening places in okc now,it was ok ,one time i had it,, would only buy it again on sale,,,