Between school, sports, and other commitments, WHS students sometimes just want something quick to eat. But efficiency shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality. That’s why I believe Taco Bell beats Chipotle for the best Mexican fast food because it’s more affordable, versatile and, most importantly, simply tastes better. 

   One of Taco Bell’s biggest advantages is its menu. Like Chipotle, Taco Bell offers burritos and bowls, but it also offers hard-shell tacos, nachos, and meal deals that let you combine various options in one meal, like a taco and a burrito or quesadilla. Taco Bell is also always offering new flavor options, like their Doritos Loco Tacos, which has a Dorito-style taco shell. 

   “I like Taco Bell because it has more flavor and it’s just more interesting,” said freshman Griffin Edwards. “For example, there’s a new Mexican pizza item at Taco Bell, and Chipotle only really offers basic items like bowls and burritos.”

   Taco Bell’s variety also extends beyond food, especially with its range of signature drinks that offer options beyond the typical fountain sodas. I feel this really makes the entire experience a little more worth it.

   “I think that Taco Bell is better than Chipotle because it has more variety in the drinks, like their Baja Blast, which is one of my favorite items on the menu,” said sophomore Hailey Kim.

   Taco Bell’s taste and variety come with an obvious counterargument: Chipotle is often viewed as the healthier option.

   “Compared to Taco Bell, Chipotle has some more benefits in terms of health and the freshness of ingredients,” said senior Aditya Mehta. “So if you want something that tastes good but is also somewhat healthy, I think Chipotle is the better option.” 

    When I’m choosing fast food, health is rarely my first priority, but finding comfort in the taste is. Neither restaurant is necessarily where I would go specifically for a healthy meal.  

  “Chipotle sounds more healthy, and Taco Bell’s more considered junk food,” said junior Meghan Byrnes. “You can eat it whenever, and the taste is just amazing.”

  Another difference between the two restaurants is how closely their menus resemble authentic Mexican cuisine. Taco Bell serves Mexican-American recognizable classics like the Chalupa and the hard-shell taco, while Chipotle centers its menu around customizable bowls and burritos, with more emphasis on Tex-Mex style foods. 

   “Between the two, I think Taco Bell is probably more authentic because Chipotle is more about wraps and bowls, which is definitely geared more towards an American audience,” said history teacher Sean Smith.

    Although I think that Taco Bell is more authentic than Chipotle, I can still admit that neither of them are as authentic as they could be. 

   “I don’t think that either of them are truly authentic Mexican food,” said English teacher Henry Moon. “Chipotle claims to be more authentic, but I don’t think anybody is eating at either of these places thinking that it’s authentic.”

   While authenticity may be important to some customers who might not choose to eat at either restaurant, price is much harder to ignore. Taco Bell’s lower prices make it appealing for students looking for a quick meal. 

   “Just look at the price,” said Edwards. “Taco Bell is not expensive, and it’s quite good.”

   For customers tighter budgets, affordability is less of an afterthought and more of a necessity. In cases like these, I think Taco Bell is much more accommodating.

   “If you’re capable of paying $13 for a burrito, chances are you don’t worry that much about money,” said Moon. “But if you’re actually struggling to actually put food on the table, a $1.39 dollar taco or dollar burrito will work much better than what Chipotle typically offers.”

   While many tend to focus more on taste when it comes to restaurants, I think it is also important to consider what types of feelings these places evoke.

   “I think eating at Taco bell brings up a bit of nostalgia for me,” said Smith. “I used to go there a lot when I was young and it’s pretty good.”

   Like any fast food restaurant, Taco Bell can taste very different depending on when you get it. Whether it’s a burnt quesadilla or a taco with just too much sour cream, all restaurants can make mistakes. That’s why I think it’s important to try each place more than once. 

   “If someone preferred Chipotle over Taco Bell, I would say that they need to try Taco Bell one more time, because clearly they haven’t had a good experience there,” said Byrnes.