Raise in rent proves devastating for El Taco location

Photo by Alex Dominguez

One of Downey’s long-standing El Taco locations closed abruptly over the weekend, much to the dismay of the restaurant’s loyal customer base.  

It came seemingly out of nowhere when the El Taco located at 7665 Firestone Blvd. permanently closed; even more shocking were the for-sale signs that quickly materialized in front of the popular dining spot.

However, according to Alberto Vazquez, General Manager of the El Taco located on Florence Avenue, it all came down to the amount of rent.

“Last year they sold the property for a crazy amount of money,” said Vasquez. “The property taxes went up…from $8,000, $9,000 a year that we were paying it went up to $24,000 a year just in property taxes alone.”

Vazquez said that the owner of the existing four El Taco restaurants couldn’t afford to stay on Firestone.

“They’re trying to charge $11,000 a month just in rent,” said Vazquez. “It’s crazy…it’s a lot of money to pay on rent; you’d have to sell at least over $100,000 a month just to get even.” 

Three locations remain, including in San Pedro, Anaheim, and the aforementioned Downey restaurant. 

El Taco was originally established by Glen Bell of Taco Bell fame. Bell founded El Taco in the 1950’s before selling the restaurants in 1962 and going on to open the first Taco Bell in Downey. Bell franchised Taco Bell in 1964.

While the Firestone El Taco’s demise has been a bitter pill to swallow for many of the restaurant’s regulars, they can take comfort in the fact that the food they have grown to love has not totally disappeared from the city, as Downey’s sole remaining El Taco does not seem to be going anywhere soon.

“We’re not leaving, everything is fine,” said Vazquez. “A lot of customers, they’re coming here now. That’s why we have a lot of jobs right now; we didn’t expect that amount of people to come in here.”

El Taco can still be found at 7870 Florence Avenue.