Taco Bell Opens in Downtown Boston

Taco Bell’s limited Boston-area footprint has long left the center of the city without the company’s particular brand of Mexican-adjacent fast food. With one location in West Roxbury, one in Everett, one in Cambridge, and a handful farther outside the metro center, the promise of Crunchwrap Supremes and Doritos Locos tacos has long hovered just out of reach, but now, it sits within grasp for Downtown Crossing: Taco Bell is now open at 74 Summer St., Boston, a rep confirmed.

While Taco Bell is in the midst of a far-reaching expansion of its booze-filled “cantina” format (aiming for 300 locations by 2022), the new Boston location will unfortunately not be among them. Versions of the cantina already exist in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Austin and serve tapas-style menus with items like nachos, quesadillas, and chicken fingers, in addition to regular menu items. A rumored cantina location in Somerville never transpired.

Downtown Crossing’s Taco Bell will serve the familiar menu of tacos, burritos, and a vast assortment of specialties like Crunchwraps, tacos made with Doritos-flavored shells, and some layered cheese-meat-and-tortilla concoctions. Joining the likes of Five Guys and Wendy’s on Summer Street, Taco Bell will also contend with some other fast-casual options, including locals like Grainmaker and B.Good, as well as D.C.-based salad chain Sweetgreen.

Update 9/16/19: This story has been updated to reflect that the Taco Bell in Downtown Crossing is now open.

• Taco Bell to Open in Downtown Boston [EBOS]
• Somerville May Get a Boozy Taco Bell Cantina [EBOS]