New Del Taco Fires Back At Snarky Sign From Bradenton Taco Bell

BRADENTON, FL — Shots have been fired in Bradenton – in a good-natured way – as the Del Taco that recently opened and its nearby competitor, Taco Bell, launched a sign war, according to a Del Taco spokesperson.

The Del Taco at 5610 W. Manatee Ave., which held its grand opening less than two weeks ago, is the first to open in the Tampa Bay area.

Its neighbor didn’t waste time to jumpstart their friendly rivalry with a sign outside the Taco Bell restaurant that read, “She’s a 10, but eats Del Taco.”

The sign refers to an internet meme that launched on TikTok earlier this year and has made its way to other social media sites, according to KnowYourMeme.com. In the meme, social media users rank a hypothetical person who is attractive followed by a playfully negative attribute.

Del Taco didn’t waste time to respond to the snarky sign, putting up one of their own that read, “She must like better tacos.”

The chain is the nation’s second-largest Mexican quick-service restaurant.

The new Del Taco location is part of a multi-unit development deal with FreshMex FL LLC, Patch previously reported.

The “Fresh Flex” locations will be an offshoot of Del Taco’s fast-and-fresh approach to Mexican food that will focus primarily on pickup and drive-thru options, the company said.

The Manatee County location is its fifth to open in Florida and one of the first “Fresh Flex” restaurants, which offer a sleek, modernized design, in the United States.

“Florida residents that have tried Del Taco really love the brand and our commitment to freshness and high-quality ingredients,” Benny Rosales, store operator, said. “We are thrilled to be able to expand across the state and bring Del Taco to the southwest part of Florida. Bradenton residents are in for a real treat, and we are excited to show them what Del Taco is all about!”