As part of my trip to California (see In-N-Out review for additional context) My traveling companions and I miraculously stumbled upon a Taco bell Cantina in Sac City while we waited for our dinner reservation. Of course, we made a quick pit stop to fuel up with alcoholic Taco Bell.

The first thing that struck me about this Taco Bell Cantina was how similar it was to a regular taco bell. In my mind I think I had expected the “lounge” part of the Cantina to be more of a lounge. And less like a couple of low chairs reminiscent of a hospital surgical waiting area. There was really nothing particularly distinguishing about the storefront itself.

Where this restaurant deviated from a traditional Taco Bell was in the supplementary counter, adjacent to the main ordering counter. In this new area, there was a row of slushie machines, happily spinning away with slushies of different colors and flavors including Margarita, Cola, Pina Colada, Lemonade, Orange, Baja Blast, Cherry and Blue Raspberry. Unfortunately, Baja Blast was empty; So, I asked the worker which he suggested and finally landed on Blue Raspberry. Along with these flavor selections, you also had the opportunity to choose from 3 different types of alcohol. Lined up on a shelf next to the freeze machines, were three nearly indistinguishable bottles of Rum, Tequilla, and Vodka with nondescript and almost clinical white labels. I chose Tequilla and watched as the employee poured a mechanically measured shot into a cup and topped it with blue slushie.

I spent some time stirring before trying it since all the tequila was at the bottom of the drink and when I took my first sip, I was pleasantly surprised. I had expected the tequila to overpower the flavor of the slushie, especially since it was probably very cheap tequila. But apparently either the flavor of the drink was strong, or the tequila was better than expected. My friends and I shared our Taco Bell Cocktail in the “lounge”, took a few pictures, and left.

Overall, I liked the drink offerings at the Cantina, but was disappointed in the establishment itself, having expected something more distinguishable.

8/10