Taco Fight (or, me continuing to be a negative asshole)

From: Debra S. Tucker [mailto:debra.tucker@clutchgroup.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 1:59 PM
To: Feedback TBIndia
Subject: Taco Bell in India is a HUGE disappointment

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment with the menu options at the newly opened Taco Bell in Bangalore. As an American ex-pat who has been living in Bangalore for nearly a year, I was extremely excited when I heard about Taco Bell coming to India. Tacos are something I miss very much from home. And Taco Bell, with its convenient and vegetarian-friendly menu has always been my go-to for fast food. Aside from waiting in painful anticipation for months, I made sure to tell all of my coworkers about Taco Bell so that they too would be excited, and would want to try what is normally a delicious food item. Unfortunately for all of us, they will never have the opportunity to have a taste of the Taco Bell I know, or be able to discover what tacos are supposed to be.

When I saw the menu at the new Taco Bell here, I was shocked and outraged. I understand that tacos here in India would not have beef. As a life-long vegetarian, this is something that doesn’t concern me. In the U.S., all items are offered with refried beans instead of meat. Crunchy Tacos with beans, Bean Burritos, Bean Crunch Wraps, Bean Mexican Pizza, Bean Gordita, Bean Chalupa, Bean Nachos. The list goes on. Here, in a country with an ABUNDANCE of beans, you have failed to offer a single bean item beyond the burrito. Why is this?

Some have argued that the reason for omitting beans from MEXICAN food is because Indian people like Indianized food. They like spicy potato everything. That’s fine. But a potato taco should not be the only veg option. Potato tacos do not exist. They do not exist in Mexico, they do not exist at Taco Bell in the US. Furthermore, they are extremely unhealthy, mixing starchy potatoes with a fried corn shell? And no protein? Good luck avoiding the diabetes and obesity that are plaguing this nation already. People who are closed minded and do not want to actually taste anything but the same Indian food they have eaten their whole lives, who want to remain ignorant on the cuisines of other cultures, can order the potato taco. But the rest of us, people who value variety, who respect each culture’s unique culinary heritage, why should we have to suffer?

I am urging you to please add some more authentic Mexican-American items from Taco Bell’s real menu in the states. Offer beans as a filling in your tacos and other items. Give people a chance to discover how great Taco Bell can really be.

Thank you,
Debra Tucker



From: Chopra, Aparna [mailto:Aparna.Chopra@yum.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2010 12:47 PM
To: Debra S. Tucker
Subject: Your feedback to Taco Bell

Dear Ms. Tucker,

Many thanks for your feedback to Taco Bell. We really value every customer’s feedback and appreciate the fact that you took our time to share this with us.

On your specific issues, while we have made a note of these and shared them with the concerned people, I am taking a crack at answering some of them:

1. Beans Tacos: While we don’t have them on the menu, we are happy to customize for any customer who wants them, just like in the US. If you go to the counter and ask, it can certainly be done for you as well as any customer who asks for it. Taco Bell is happy to customize tacos and other menu items based on customer requests.
2. Beans in other menu items: We are happy to customize for any customer who requests for the same. Please go to the counter and ask.
3. Replacing potatoes: As you correctly mentioned, most Indians love potatoes; its clearly the preferred vegetarian filling in India. This is the reason why we have a potato taco. In fact, the US Taco Bells also sell potato tacos now. In case you don’t like potatoes, you could request our crew to replace them with beans and they will be happy to do that for you.
4. Other vegetarian proteins: We can do a paneer (cottage cheese) taco for you if you ask for it at the counter.

Customisation is core to the Taco Bell brand and we are committed to offer that in India as well. Our menu boards today need to detail a whole of information on each product (these being ‘alien’ to many Indian consumers) and hence we are not communicating customization at this stage. Since you are already familiar with the menu, its much easier for you.

Many thanks again for your feedback and we hope to see you again at Taco Bell enjoying bean tacos!

Regards,
Aparna

Aparna Chopra l Head Marketing, Taco Bell India I YUM Restaurants International I 12th Floor, Tower D, Global Business Park l Gurgaon
Direct: 0124- 4025174
Email: aparna.chopra@yum.com




Can someone please tell me if they actually offer potato tacos at Taco Bell in the US? I think Taco Bell is lying. P.S. - Edison, New Jersey (aka Little India)Taco Bells do not count.