Taco Bell opens mid-campus

By Arlene Austin
Staff writer

Photo by Glory Attaochu During the day, Taco Bell is crowded with hungry students ordering everything from tacos to burritos. However, on Fridays Taco Bell closes at 4:00 p.m. and is closed on Saturdays.

After being located in Bert’s for some time, Taco Bell has moved to the D.F. Lowry building in the heart of the UNCP campus.

Taco Bell has returned to mixed emotions among the student body.

Some students are glad to have Taco Bell back because it adds variety and options from the cafeteria food.

Convenience that Taco Bell has to offer is also a plus, they said. However, the hours and the long lines have some students frustrated.

“I am glad that the Taco Bell is open now,” sophomore Amy Bachtel said. “I don’t have to just eat in the cafeteria.”

Many students across the campus stay on the weekends and many wonder why Taco Bell is not open on the weekends.

“What are we supposed to do on Saturdays if we want some tacos,” Bachtel asked.


During the day, Taco Bell is crowded with hungry students ordering everything from tacos to burritos. However, on Fridays, Taco Bell closes at 4 p.m. and doesn’t re-open until Sunday afternoon.

According to area general manager Mike Nance, opening Taco Bell on Saturday might be considered if the student demand is there.

Students can eat in the cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Bert's is open 1 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and 3 p.m. to midnight on Sunday.

Some students complain that Taco Bell has been confusing their orders and charging them extra for food that was not ordered.

“I ordered a side of nachos and cheese one time, and when I got my order I had extra cheese instead of the nachos and cheese.

When I brought it to the attention of the cashier, they charged me for the nachos and cheese,” student Kayloni Wyatt said. “I pay with my Braves card in there so that’s leaving me with less money.”

Another issue among students is the lack of an expanded menu. However, Nance said the menu at Taco Bell has seven new items, including quesadillas, gorditas, grilled burrito, stuffed crunch, and taquitos. Five new combos were also added to the menu.

One difference between the campus Taco Bell and the original fast-food restaurant is the lack of desserts.

The two main desserts on a Taco Bell menu are the caramel and apple empanada and the cinnamon twists.