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MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:42 PM May 2020

At the Taco Bell Drive-Through

Enough. After two months of my making meals at home, my wife said "Taco Bell! I want two crunchy tacos supreme and a bean burrito."

I thought about it, and figured out a decontamination plan. Gloves, mask, and multiple hand sanitizations. I set out for the local drive-through.

Four cars were ahead of me in the line, but things were moving quickly, and soon I was speaking my order to the disembodied voice from the speaker. Then, I continued around to the window, debit card in hand.

Unlike earlier visits, the masked and gloved worker held out a chip reader box at arms length. I inserted my debit card, and removed it when prompted. Another worker wearing gloves put a sealed bag containing my order on a cafeteria tray, and the cashier held the tray out so I could take the bag.

I pulled forward far enough to let the next car pull forward and sanitized my gloved hands and drove home.

In the kitchen, I removed and disposed of my gloves and carefully unwrapped and plated the food items after washing my hands, and then sanitized my hands again before handing my wife her plate and taking mine.

Taco Bell has come up with a reasonably safe method of handling drive through service. I feel pretty comfortable with it. No worse than buying groceries at the supermarket, really.

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At the Taco Bell Drive-Through (Original Post) MineralMan May 2020 OP
The downside of all this, of course, is that you're eating food from Taco Hell. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #1
It's not so bad, really. MineralMan May 2020 #2
don't listen to the naysayers! Taco Bell is GOOD. You're right, a crunchy taco is pnwest May 2020 #7
Well, i don't really think of it as Mexican food. MineralMan May 2020 #10
Yo quiero taco bell! The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #16
Baja blast? I_UndergroundPanther May 2020 #15
Sometimes you just gotta have it gratuitous May 2020 #8
True. nt Blue_true May 2020 #28
I agree, 100% Victor_c3 May 2020 #13
My god, really? Lighten up! nt USALiberal May 2020 #17
Wisecracks are not allowed? The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #18
11/8/2016 our collective sense of humor went on life support Amishman May 2020 #41
At this point, I'd like a take-out from Olive Garden. JustABozoOnThisBus May 2020 #50
Do you want a nursing pitbull with that order? nt tblue37 May 2020 #54
Yes, just drop it on my porch and press the door buzzard. nt JustABozoOnThisBus May 2020 #57
Good one! nt tblue37 May 2020 #58
Oh, HELL yeah! We need an Olive Garden thread! 11 Bravo May 2020 #60
yum, that actually sounds good! Kali May 2020 #3
Yes. Shredded iceberg. MineralMan May 2020 #4
Tried to get a salad at McDs a week or so ago but they Kali May 2020 #21
I've gotten iced tea via the McDonalds drive thru mcar May 2020 #5
Corporate guidance, I think. MineralMan May 2020 #6
One hopes mcar May 2020 #23
The CEO of Walmart America supposedly said the biggest Hortensis May 2020 #37
I made tacos at home today. Home grown lettuce. Soon I will have tomatoes. Tipperary May 2020 #9
I make tacos, too. MineralMan May 2020 #12
:) Good husband and a fine model for mine. Hortensis May 2020 #38
Even men are capable of learning to do what works best. MineralMan May 2020 #39
Did you get the small drink that is the size of a tanker? rufus dog May 2020 #11
I never order drinks. We have those at home. MineralMan May 2020 #14
Me too. I'm scared of them. If I have to take a drink because it's part of the combo I get a Solomon May 2020 #25
If you're old you can get a free senior drink, which is pretty small. kskiska May 2020 #49
LOL! Boomerproud May 2020 #55
How does one Ohiogal May 2020 #19
How does one get a husband? I could use one right about now. The Velveteen Ocelot May 2020 #20
Mine would, on very rare occasions but if I really needed it... Shrike47 May 2020 #22
One marries me, I guess. MineralMan May 2020 #34
Dammit. Now I gotta have a chalupa or two. nt Buns_of_Fire May 2020 #24
I know right? I found some frozen tacos that are pretty good. ecstatic May 2020 #29
I know.......will be ordering tacos soon.......like for supper tomorrow. a kennedy May 2020 #31
The utter luxury of disposable gloves! I don't know anybody here in LA who can afford to do that, we BamaRefugee May 2020 #26
AHHHH, the advantages of being a bottle blonde! I rarely use the gloves Totally Tunsie May 2020 #30
Genius. BamaRefugee May 2020 #32
My wife uses blue nitrile disposable gloves to do something to her hair. MineralMan May 2020 #35
The ones that come in dye boxes are clunky like "food service gloves" LeftInTX May 2020 #51
Similar motivation - hamburgers from Culver's question everything May 2020 #27
Yum!!! LeftInTX May 2020 #52
Yo quiero Taco Bell! roamer65 May 2020 #33
I must have been channeling your wife.. Maxheader May 2020 #36
Same experience I had at Taco Bell recently JI7 May 2020 #40
I walked to a pizza parlor, bought a pizza and washed my hands... brooklynite May 2020 #42
I tend to agree. However, I try to keep my car MineralMan May 2020 #44
We save our gloves and, while still wearing them, we give ourselve a good wash with Baitball Blogger May 2020 #43
The regular crunchy taco is not bad nutritionally Mosby May 2020 #45
That's true. MineralMan May 2020 #47
Same routine at my Taco Hell. My son loves it and I like Ilsa May 2020 #46
I think the parent company has sent out advisories to its franchisees MineralMan May 2020 #48
I went to a Taco Bell about a year ago LeftInTX May 2020 #53
Different Stores Are Different. MineralMan May 2020 #56
About once a year I get a Mexican pizza there. Luciferous May 2020 #59

pnwest

(3,266 posts)
7. don't listen to the naysayers! Taco Bell is GOOD. You're right, a crunchy taco is
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:55 PM
May 2020

healthier than a burger, less wheat anyway. And while it's not a subsitute for actual Mexican food - it IS good! Always hot, prepared to order. I love Taco Bell. Your wife's order, BTW, PERFECT! Two crunchy tacos supreme, and a bean burrito. And a large cup of that Mountain Dew flavor you can only get there. My standby order! Some days I ask for a Grilled Steak Stuffed Burrito, they'll still make one if you ask. Also heaven.

I_UndergroundPanther

(12,470 posts)
15. Baja blast?
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:14 PM
May 2020

Mountain dew has a DIET version of baja blast at Wawa in bottles..joy. this time diabeties didn't leave me baja blast less.😻

gratuitous

(82,849 posts)
8. Sometimes you just gotta have it
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:57 PM
May 2020

Not necessarily Taco Bell, but sometimes you get that junk food jones. I used to get a filet-o-fish sandwich about once a year, which always reminded me of why I didn't get them more often.

Victor_c3

(3,557 posts)
13. I agree, 100%
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:00 PM
May 2020

I’ve never gone to taco hell and after I was done eating said to myself “that was some great food!”

It always disappoints me and I always vow to never go to one again. Somehow, I end up going every couple of years and I’m reminded of just how shitty it is all over again.

Kali

(55,008 posts)
21. Tried to get a salad at McDs a week or so ago but they
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:29 PM
May 2020

were only doing a limited hot menu, no salads. Like handling a salad is worse than a sandwich?

mcar

(42,331 posts)
5. I've gotten iced tea via the McDonalds drive thru
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:51 PM
May 2020

twice in the last month - most recent yesterday. I do it because I need change for the $20s I get from the ATM.

We buy our eggs from a local small farm. They've got a refrigerator and cash box on their front porch. $6 per 2 dozen of cage free eggs. They are wonderful. But I need the correct amount, or close to. I am perfectly happy to give them extra, but they don't always have a lot of cartons in the refrig.

Anyhoo, when I did the McDonald's iced tea purchase about a month ago, the cashier was not wearing a mask or gloves, nor was the person at window 2. I was and wiped down the cash and cup.

This time, both were wearing masks and gloves, as was I. Kind of surprised me because little red Florida county and people are all over the place, not wearing masks.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
37. The CEO of Walmart America supposedly said the biggest
Fri May 8, 2020, 09:31 AM
May 2020

concern he hears again and again from their associates is CUSTOMERS who don't distance, among the consequences infecting their employees. This was as reported on 11th Hour last night.

 

Tipperary

(6,930 posts)
9. I made tacos at home today. Home grown lettuce. Soon I will have tomatoes.
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:57 PM
May 2020

I just do not go out much. No need. I have never been a fan of fast food, so thank god I never have that particular craving. That is great it worked out for you.

 

rufus dog

(8,419 posts)
11. Did you get the small drink that is the size of a tanker?
Thu May 7, 2020, 08:58 PM
May 2020

Not that I have been known to order the meal #1, Burrito Supreme, Taco, and small drink. Some day I want to see, what is the large drink. Is it like a military refueling in flight? Do they bring a helicopter in to follow you home and pump Pepsi into your car?

LOL, guessing I am getting old. When I was a kid it was small, medium, large. maybe a 12 oz, 16 oz, 24 oz. Now the small is a 32 oz.

Solomon

(12,310 posts)
25. Me too. I'm scared of them. If I have to take a drink because it's part of the combo I get a
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:56 PM
May 2020

bottled water.

Ohiogal

(31,999 posts)
19. How does one
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:24 PM
May 2020

get one’s husband to run out for a fast food craving? I would like to know how to get mine to do that.

Shrike47

(6,913 posts)
22. Mine would, on very rare occasions but if I really needed it...
Thu May 7, 2020, 09:34 PM
May 2020

I don’t think I’ve had any Taco Bell food for at least 15 years, but he did get me a chocolate eclair after my rotator cuff surgery and it was a life-saver.

ecstatic

(32,704 posts)
29. I know right? I found some frozen tacos that are pretty good.
Fri May 8, 2020, 12:13 AM
May 2020

Trying to resist the urge to have yet another snack.

BamaRefugee

(3,483 posts)
26. The utter luxury of disposable gloves! I don't know anybody here in LA who can afford to do that, we
Thu May 7, 2020, 10:09 PM
May 2020

just wash them like you would wash your hands and set them aside to dry, can't find gloves anywhere, and certainly not in quantities that we could just toss them! I had to have buddy in New Jersey mail me 15 pairs of them!

Hopefully the supply will resume some day, along with isopropyl alcohol, sanitizer, and wipes. Ironically, the only place I have found toilet paper and masks was at a Chinese supermarket!

Totally Tunsie

(10,885 posts)
30. AHHHH, the advantages of being a bottle blonde! I rarely use the gloves
Fri May 8, 2020, 12:31 AM
May 2020

in the kit and had saved a large bag of them, thinking someday they'd come in handy.
It's someday.

MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
35. My wife uses blue nitrile disposable gloves to do something to her hair.
Fri May 8, 2020, 09:23 AM
May 2020

She ordered 500 pairs about a year ago. We still have lots of them. I checked Amazon, and you can order them there, in 100 packs. I do not know what she does to her hair that requires gloves. I know only that our one bathroom cannot be entered for about 10 minutes when she is doing whatever it is.

LeftInTX

(25,337 posts)
51. The ones that come in dye boxes are clunky like "food service gloves"
Fri May 8, 2020, 11:53 AM
May 2020

They only protect your hands, but not the rest of your hair, your clothes, your face or the sink.

I buy separate gloves also.

The ones that come with the box dye are probably pretty good for shopping though.....

Maxheader

(4,373 posts)
36. I must have been channeling your wife..
Fri May 8, 2020, 09:28 AM
May 2020

About 4 days ago..Beef tacos..beef burrito supreme..packets of mild sauce...small coke.

About 11 am..over and over...12:10 I gave up...t.t. is only 15 minutes away..Hardly any

traffic...Cashier dude had a mask on..and took the $ in a little plastic cup..And gave me

change in a little ...Food came in a pie tray..He looked like he was enjoying himself...

brooklynite

(94,571 posts)
42. I walked to a pizza parlor, bought a pizza and washed my hands...
Fri May 8, 2020, 09:54 AM
May 2020

...I don't think that sanitizing needs to be obsessive.

MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
44. I tend to agree. However, I try to keep my car
Fri May 8, 2020, 10:13 AM
May 2020

as clean and sanitized as possible. Normally, I sanitize my hands before getting into the car after shopping. At a drive through, that isn't possible.

Even though the Taco Bell workers wear gloves when preparing and packing food, each item in the bag is wrapped separately in paper. So, I washed my hands after unwrapping all of the items and putting them on plates, just to eliminate that source of possible exposure.

I'm not really obsessive about sanitizing, but I try to eliminate as many sources of possible exposure that I can. When handling what others have handled, I generally sanitize or wash my hands, just to feel more certain.

Baitball Blogger

(46,709 posts)
43. We save our gloves and, while still wearing them, we give ourselve a good wash with
Fri May 8, 2020, 09:56 AM
May 2020

Clorox spray. And then hang them up on a dryer.

MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
47. That's true.
Fri May 8, 2020, 10:24 AM
May 2020

If you order the simplest things on the Taco Bell menu, you're not going to get a high-fat, high-carb meal. The supreme version of the crunchy taco adds diced tomato and some "sour cream" to the item, but even then it's not a terrible item. The simple bean burrito, too, is fairly nutritious. Aside from the flour tortilla, the only ingredients are beans, onions, mild red sauce and a little cheese.

Once you move away from their basic menu items, things get a little wonkier, though. Still, Taco Bell is probably the least offensive of fast food places, in terms of nutrition.

I have noticed that different Taco Bell stores produce different results, quality-wise. The one near us is about the best one I've found.

Ilsa

(61,695 posts)
46. Same routine at my Taco Hell. My son loves it and I like
Fri May 8, 2020, 10:22 AM
May 2020

the chicken protein plate. Very sensitive about passing off germs and virus.

MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
48. I think the parent company has sent out advisories to its franchisees
Fri May 8, 2020, 10:26 AM
May 2020

with regard to sanitary practices. They seem pretty well thought-out. I especially liked the card reader they hold out, so nobody touches your plastic money. The use of a tray to pass you the bag is also a good idea.

LeftInTX

(25,337 posts)
53. I went to a Taco Bell about a year ago
Fri May 8, 2020, 12:00 PM
May 2020

I don't plan to go back.

I ordered what used to be the Burrito Supreme. It was cold and the tortilla was like paper and it was basically uncooked.

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