In 1962 the first Taco Bell restaurant was opened in California. Glen Bell claims he invented the modern taco, but just ripped off Mexican miners who first made them in the late 1800s. Taco came from a little blasting charge which was made using paper in a U shape to add powder and then rolled to insert into hard rock. The taquito also resembles dynamite used by the miners who then came to the US in early 1900s. All Glen Bell did by the 1950s was to take this knowledge and substitute hamburger for pork in the Taco which he had pre-fried and add lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. He used franchising to build up his business which could outperform any local Mexican restaurants timewise.

* the first Taco Bell restaurant style was sometimes linked to the Alamo due to the Spanish colonial roof!!! There is no connection!