Taco Bell Numero Uno
Glen Bell, Taco Bell’s founder, got his start running a burger joint in San Bernardino in 1951. The story goes that he watched lines form across the street at Mitla Cafe, where they were selling hard-shell tacos. Wanting to get in on the popularity of this Mexican dish, Glen befriended the owners of Mitla Cafe, who eventually taught him the recipe. Years later, in 1962, Glen opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey—a modest building selling tacos and burritos for just 19 cents.
As for Mitla Cafe, it is still going strong and remains family-owned—87 years and counting! Their crispy-shell ground beef taco, which inspired a fast-food empire, is still on the menu.
This miniature of Taco Bell “Numero Uno” is an accurate replica of the original building. Constructed by referencing historic photographs, great care and attention to detail have brought this piece of SoCal fast-food history to life. Real terracotta clay tiles sit on the roof, the iconic bell swings freely from the belfry, and the original signage has been carefully recreated.
A special thanks to Tina Charad for providing the artwork for the 1964 menu boards.
Price: $3,000
Scale: 1:32
Artwork Dimensions: 12.5”W x 9.25”D x 12” H
Materials: Mixed Media - Foam, Chipboard, Basswood, clay, Styrene
Total number in edition: 2
Please note that there may be very minor differences between each of the two miniatures in this edition.
Glen Bell, Taco Bell’s founder, got his start running a burger joint in San Bernardino in 1951. The story goes that he watched lines form across the street at Mitla Cafe, where they were selling hard-shell tacos. Wanting to get in on the popularity of this Mexican dish, Glen befriended the owners of Mitla Cafe, who eventually taught him the recipe. Years later, in 1962, Glen opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey—a modest building selling tacos and burritos for just 19 cents.
As for Mitla Cafe, it is still going strong and remains family-owned—87 years and counting! Their crispy-shell ground beef taco, which inspired a fast-food empire, is still on the menu.
This miniature of Taco Bell “Numero Uno” is an accurate replica of the original building. Constructed by referencing historic photographs, great care and attention to detail have brought this piece of SoCal fast-food history to life. Real terracotta clay tiles sit on the roof, the iconic bell swings freely from the belfry, and the original signage has been carefully recreated.
A special thanks to Tina Charad for providing the artwork for the 1964 menu boards.
Price: $3,000
Scale: 1:32
Artwork Dimensions: 12.5”W x 9.25”D x 12” H
Materials: Mixed Media - Foam, Chipboard, Basswood, clay, Styrene
Total number in edition: 2
Please note that there may be very minor differences between each of the two miniatures in this edition.
Glen Bell, Taco Bell’s founder, got his start running a burger joint in San Bernardino in 1951. The story goes that he watched lines form across the street at Mitla Cafe, where they were selling hard-shell tacos. Wanting to get in on the popularity of this Mexican dish, Glen befriended the owners of Mitla Cafe, who eventually taught him the recipe. Years later, in 1962, Glen opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in Downey—a modest building selling tacos and burritos for just 19 cents.
As for Mitla Cafe, it is still going strong and remains family-owned—87 years and counting! Their crispy-shell ground beef taco, which inspired a fast-food empire, is still on the menu.
This miniature of Taco Bell “Numero Uno” is an accurate replica of the original building. Constructed by referencing historic photographs, great care and attention to detail have brought this piece of SoCal fast-food history to life. Real terracotta clay tiles sit on the roof, the iconic bell swings freely from the belfry, and the original signage has been carefully recreated.
A special thanks to Tina Charad for providing the artwork for the 1964 menu boards.
Price: $3,000
Scale: 1:32
Artwork Dimensions: 12.5”W x 9.25”D x 12” H
Materials: Mixed Media - Foam, Chipboard, Basswood, clay, Styrene
Total number in edition: 2
Please note that there may be very minor differences between each of the two miniatures in this edition.