Taco Bell grandly opens on 3rd Avenue and 13th Street

Photo by Jefferson Siegel 

Taco Bell has debuted on the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street ... a pending arrival we pointed out here and here ... and, heh, here. 

Posted hours: 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. "or later."

As previously noted, there was a Taco Bell at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street until sometime in late 2007 or early 2008. Welcome back? [Ducking]

Your first look inside the new East Village Taco Bell, opening NEXT WEEK on 3rd Avenue

From the outside, the incoming Taco Bell on the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street looks as if it has been there for years. 

On the inside, though... Steven got a look inside...

You can see the machine marked Chill Drink Enjoy* (which WAS going to be the EVG summer catchphrase...😔)

A worker said they'd be open next week.

* one could read that as Chill Enjoy Drink too.

Previously

Hell's bells! Taco Bell signage arrives on 3rd Avenue

The Taco Bell for the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street is another step closer to opening with the arrival of the TB signage late last week. 

As noted earlier this year, this will mark the return of Taco Bell to the East Village... there was an outpost at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street until sometime in late 2007 or early 2008. 

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A Taco Bell is coming back to 3rd Avenue for the first time in 15 years (or so)

Purple reign: Incoming Taco Bell now looking more like a Taco Bell

The Taco Bell coming to the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street is shaping up... the brand's dark purple (Pantone: PMS 2603 C) color now adorns the storefront ... not even clashing as much with the dinosaur mural as anticipated.

Signage is next ... then it shouldn't be too long before they serve up those new Cantina Crispy Chicken Tacos with avocado ranch dressing.

There are currently more than a dozen Taco Bells in NYC. (Fun fact! Glen Bell opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, Calif., in 1962.)

As for this EV corner, Bluemercury, the luxury beauty retailer, closed here during the pandemic.

A Taco Bell is coming back to 3rd Avenue for the first time in 15 years (or so)

Renovations continue in the storefront on the SW corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street, where we learned that a — ding! ding! — Taco Bell is on the way. 

DOB records list the new tenant as Taco Bell... (taco emoji NOT part of DOB permit...ditto for the helpful EV arrow)...

In 2017, Taco Bell announced that it would be opening 50 (!!!) outposts in NYC over the next five years. Perhaps this is one of them. 

There was a Taco Bell at 58 Third Ave. between 10th Street and 11th Street until sometime in late 2007 or early 2008. 

TB will be right next door to Yellow Rose, which serves really good tacos, tortas and chalupas ...

That SW corner spot was previously Bluemercury, the luxury beauty retailer, which closed during the pandemic.

And previously: Gothic Cabinet Craft shop closed in January 2016 after 47 years in business on this corner.

The boozy Taco Bell on Broadway doesn't appear to be happening

Last fall, Taco Bell announced that it was opening a slew of outposts in the city, including a booze-serving Bell at 647 Broadway near Bleecker.

There hadn't been any activity at the former ZiGi Shoes space... and now a for rent sign has arrived on the storefront.

TB refers reportedly refers to these outposts as cantinas, which "boast flashy millennial-baiting features like digital menu boards, digital queues, open kitchens, and shareable tapas-style menus," per Eater. Popular cantina drink menu items include "Twisted Freezes" — a slushy-like, uh, slush that mixes flavors like margarita, piña colada, lemonade and cherry blue raspberry with tequila, rum, vodka, whiskey or spiced rum.

The cantina on the Bushwick/Bed-Stuy border — announced at the same time as the Broadway locale — is reportedly awaiting its liquor license.

Taco Bell nearly ready for Taco Belling on 1st Avenue

Heading north for a second... where the Taco Bell is looking nearly ready to start serving up its specialties like the Chalupa Supreme® and XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito here on First Avenue near 18th Street ... next to the Ponce De Leon Federal Bank (if that helps place it) ...



It will be opening soon, per the signage... with generous hours of 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. every day except Sunday, when it doesn't open until 8 a.m. (and closes at midnight) ....



This is one of 50 locations (no kidding) that Taco Bell plans to open in NYC in the next five years. (There's also one coming to 647 Broadway near Bleecker that will serve alcohol.)

For nearly 25 years the First Avenue address was the Adriatic until its sudden closure in 2015. Visana, a problematic pizzeria-speakeasy combo, closed down last summer, as Town & Village detailed.

P.S.

My only memento from the long-closed Taco Bell at 58 Third Ave. near 11th Street...

Taco Bell premiering its Nacho Fries on the Bowery; reservations available

Taco Bell recently announced that it was adding Nacho Fries to the $1 menu.

Today and tomorrow, you can head to 212 Bowery near Rivington for a sneak preview — or premiere.

Here's more info via OpenTable, where you can get a reservation for the fry seating:

Live Más Productions presents Nacho Fries, debuting in Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on January 25 for just $1. The most-anticipated menu item release of the year will be available crisped to perfection with bold Mexican seasoning and served with a dippable side of warm Nacho Cheese. Ahead of their nationwide release, Taco Bell will host fans in New York City for a complimentary, advance screening of Nacho Fries and the trailer “Web of Fries” that will leave fans hungry for more – more Nacho Fries that is. A five-star menu item like Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries is worthy of its own red carpet, and that’s exactly the treatment Taco Bell is rolling out with its first “big screen” debut.

The pop-up is open today from 4-8 p.m. and tomorrow from noon to 4 p.m. and again 5-9 p.m.

A Bodhi Tree grows on Third Avenue

Our former little Taco Bell on Third Avenue near 11th Street is all grown up now, almost ready to become a Thai place called Bodhi Tree.



Previously on EV Grieve:
From tacos to Thai on Third Avenue

PS
One cannot mention the name Bodhi without paying tribute to the greatest Bodhi of them all, Patrick Sawyze in Point Break.

Among his wisdom:

-- "100% pure adrenaline!"
-- "Goddamn! You are one radical son of a bitch!"
-- "If you want the ultimate, you've got to be willing to pay the ultimate price. It's not tragic to die doing what you love."
-- "I know Johnny. I know you want me so bad it's like acid in your mouth. But, not this time."
-- "Life sure has a sick sense of humor, doesn't it?"
-- "Yo, Johnny! I see you in the next life!"
-- "Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true."

From tacos to thai on Third Avenue

Been keeping my eye on 58 Third Ave. near 11th Street, former home to the worst Taco Bell in America.* Seems as if the spot was vacant for eons.



I thought it was that inexpensive "for rent" sign with the handwritten phone number that made it look El Cheapo. What, you throwing a garage sale or do you want to do some business? Then TWO new signs were added!



Anyway! Those signs must have done the trick! The plywood went up last fall...now something called Thai Bodhi Tree is coming to this spot.



They'll be going before the CB3 SLA & DCA Licensing Committee
Monday for a beer and wine permit.

* blanket statement.

P.S. Bodhi? Like Patrick Swayzeeee in Point Break?