“Yes, Virginia. There is a Santa Claus.” But on the other hand, “Sorry y’all there is no Taco Bell in Puerto Peñasco.” It is not my thing, and I don’t think we miss it in town. But to each their own. This topic comes to mind because of what happened late yesterday morning.
I was doing something I don’t enjoy. I just left the friendly confines of the Sonoran Sun Resort and was pulling out of Puerto Peñasco. My reason (make that excuse) for this Rocky Point visit was to get repairs done on my son’s car. For this, I highly recommend SDS Automotive on Fremont Boulevard.
Anyway, for the drive to the border I stopped to grab a drink at the Oxxo on Benito Juarez Boulevard before crossing the bridge. A group of young folks were in the parking lot. Turns out they were first timers to Rocky Point who had just arrived from Tucson. They were searching for something on their phones. Naturally, I offered help.
No Taco Bell in Town
One of the young women asked me, “Where is the closest Taco Bell?” I said, “I’m sorry, but it’s probably in Gila Bend. 150 miles away.” Surprisingly, the group members looked at me like I was the one confused.
This time, I was firmer in my confirmation. “I’m positive. There is no Taco Bell in town.”
Next, one of the guys chimed in. He said to the others, “I’ve checked Tik Tok, Instagram, Google. Taco Bell is NOT coming up!” He seemed frustrated and still didn’t get it. I said, “There is nothing wrong with your phones. I’m telling you it is not showing up because there is No Taco Bell in Puerto Peñasco. I’m positive!”
Mexican Food Alternatives in Puerto Peñasco
My final hope to help these kids was to offer alternatives. They were headed to Calle 13. They were already told there were options within walking distance. I added another option nearby. “As a matter a fact a friend of mine has a restaurant called Ole Mole Peñasco. It’s great Mexican food and will probably be cheaper than Taco Bell. The owner is also from Tucson! She’ll take good care of you.” They said they might check it out later.
However, these young folks were Americanized. The other guy found on his phone another familiar brand. “Hey, there’s a Little Caesar’s close by.” The group agreed on that and thanked me.
Run For the Border
So I drove toward Sonoyta laughing at myself, not them. The night before I was with my dear friends who are also Sonoran Sun condo owners. We were cracking up about our wacky memory skills. Why we forget important information and yet seem to remember useless things. Taco Bell’s history in Mexico is one of the those things for me. Why? I don’t know. Anyway, here goes.
Back in the day, Taco Bell had a popular slogan, “Run For the Border.” Beyond that, the company made 2 runs at business launches south of the border in Mexico. But due to low sales in different decades, both times were considered failures.
So in closing, let me as firm as possible in my confirmation here. There is No Taco Bell in Puerto Peñasco. And there is No Taco Bell in Mexico. Hopefully, you will instead enjoy the great local options for Mexican food in Rocky Point.