After walking past on many occasions, I finally decided that I would “treat myself” to a Khao San Road Taco Bell. And spoiler alert: it was just as shit as I had imagined.
Does that mean you should not go? Not necessarily, as I’m just not into this whole genre, but I’ll go into more of that later.
What the Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is one of those fast-food chains that somehow convinced people it serves Mexican food, despite having as much to do with Mexico as a microwavable supermarket burrito. Founded in the US in the 1960s, it’s basically a drive-thru experiment in how much processed cheese and mystery meat you can squeeze into a tortilla.
Despite its questionable authenticity, Taco Bell has spread across the world like an unstoppable grease-stained juggernaut. You can find it in countries that genuinely have great food (France, Spain, South Korea) and places where culinary crimes are the norm (the UK). They even tried and failed to make it in Mexico—which tells you all you need to know. The brand has become a staple for drunk college students and stoners who think an overstuffed, sauce-dripping taco is a good idea at 3 AM. Spoiler: it never is.
Taco Bell Thailand
Taco Bell made its grand arrival in Thailand in 2019, for reasons unknown. The first branch opened in Bangkok’s Siam Paragon, a high-end shopping mall where you’d think people would have better taste. Since then, they’ve expanded, with a handful of outlets popping up around the city. Clearly, there is a market for overpriced, westernized Tex-Mex in a country that already does street food better than most of the world.
The Khao San Road branch, in particular, is something special. Nestled among cheap pad Thai stalls and 24-hour bars, it’s a bizarre sight. Who looks at Thailand’s best street food and thinks, “You know what would really hit the spot? A mass-produced taco from an American chain.” Apparently, quite a few people.
Me and Mexican Food
Many of my friends think I hate Mexican food, with the chief thing I get asked being, “You like meat, yeah? Cheese, yeah? Spicy, yeah? So why don’t you like Mexican food?” In fact, I do like Mexican food—as in actual food from Mexico. What I do not like is the fake shit.
And by fake shit, I mean the American concept of Tex-Mex and the so-called “Mexican” restaurants found around the world. These places churn out sad-looking tacos, loaded nachos with canned cheese, and, worst of all, “chips and salsa” that are about as Mexican as, well, a Taco Bell Chalupa. And to prove my point, Taco Bell opened and majorly flopped in Mexico, where people actually know what Mexican food should taste like.
What is Khao San Road Taco Bell Like?
OK, so as far as Taco Bell goes, I am told that the Khao San Road branch is decent food-wise. I personally had a taco and some “chips” with cheese, although with the latter, it was more like a stale Dorito smothered in some sort of cheap cheese-flavored liquid. But let’s be honest, no one comes to Taco Bell expecting gourmet dining.
What makes this place special is its sheer ridiculousness. The Khao San Road has incredible street food, endless restaurant options, and even a few McDonald’s for those craving something familiar. Yet somehow, there’s still a market for badly done Mexican food. The clientele? Mostly stoned Americans who’ve been frequenting the never-ending weed shops in the area, plus a few confused Europeans who presumably lost a bet.
Still, horses for courses. If you’re craving something vaguely taco-shaped and have no interest in actual Thai food, this place exists for you.
Khao San Road Taco Bell Address
Location: 152 Khao San Road, Bangkok, Thailand 10200
How to Get There: The easiest way is by taxi or tuk-tuk, but if you want to feel slightly more accomplished, take the MRT to Sam Yot Station and walk about 15 minutes. If you get lost, just follow the sound of backpackers making bad life choices….