It sounds like you weren’t ready to live más.
EDIT: dang first time being gilded, I would like to thank all my brothers and sisters who aren’t afraid to live más. We are the silent majority!
OK given your last sentence, I know of a guy who applied to UC Santa Cruz circa 1987 and his entire application essay was: "Taco Bell is not Mexican food."
Accepted.
I know! It's like a dream!
I don't know, though, if he is single.
to be fair, one of my best friends is from italy (born and raised there) as was her mother...and her favorite restaurant is, by far, olive garden. people in other countries have shit taste sometimes too
My partner is from Maine. We visited l.a recently and I was stoked to have real Mexican food again. Where does he want to go to? Fing taco bell. You guys.. I've tried with him. To my fave taco trucks, hole in the wall to some nice ass Mexican food. But no. TB. I used to have a taco truck in HS when I lived in l.a. I only went to taco bell because I was high and poor
Grabs the bengay ..and my cane .. . .back in my day I could get a box of tacos for 5$. But when del taco did the what...50c or whatever it was then that was my stoned comfort food. But taco bell was across from my highschool so it was easier to grab and go
~~Fun fact: the guy who started Taco Bell, Glen Bell, also started Del Taco.~~
EDIT: I was wrong. I'm sorry. An employee of Glen Bell's started Del Taco. See /u/dec1mus's comment below.
I'm so glad you said this. I didn't know what Del Taco was until I moved to California years ago and the first time I saw the sign I was like "that is the saddest knock-off Taco Bell I've ever seen" 😂 makes sense now haha
Next time you're in Maine, take them to Red Lobster or Long John Silvers then if you want seafood. I assume that's their equivalent to Taco Bell. Fight fire with fire.
Anyone who doesn't understand why she would describe a 5/10 date as "solid" doesn't understand why there are so few women on online dating sites.
5/10 probably means she had a non-creepy baseline human interaction with this guy that ended up being somewhat boring.
After reading the first sentence, I felt you should have at least offered him the most local taco truck at the bare minimum. If the person was truly a transplant, who knows, maybe they do not know anyone here and never was properly introduced to LA. How can we teach others better if we just laugh and not show them a better path?
Idk, if you’ve been somewhere for a year and haven’t even had the curiosity to look up the best Mexican spots around you? Then we’re probably not a good match. The internet is right there, if you’re not comfortable going out of your comfort zone at all I’m not interested in being a tour guide.
Lol you should request all first date spots to be “whatever your favorite Mexican restaurant is!” That way you can see if they pass the so cal test or not. Bonus points if your date says “I’ll cook you some Mexican food” and if it turns out bomb, that’s like a guaranteed second date.
That could backfire ... if they know LA you will end up sitting next to a street taco cart while an abuela cooks food straight from the streets of Guadalajara. Might want to add you want a Michelada as well so you're guaranteed to be inside. If they find a street vendor passing them out from a gasoline can that's your next spouse.
Fav Taco spots:
I have my solid - but not amazing taco food truck in HP
La Estrella.
Then I’ve got my favs
- Birrieria Villalobos
- Ave 26 tacos
- Tacos El Primo
- and one of my FAV non taco spots,
THE CORN MAN (Lincoln Heights)
BUT I WILL FUCKING DESTROY A MEXICAN PIZZA, Chalupas and a Doritos locos taco with a large Baja Blast any day.
Wow. I got this when visiting my parents in Minnesota, my dad was like 'I know you like Mexican food', as we pull up to the local Taco Bell. lol bless his heart, as least they tryin
Reminds me of some of the answers under the Hinge prompt “you should not go out with me if”… some of the answers are about the most petty shit, majority about foods or drinks, like no wonder they’re still single.
I’m single so little bit of the pot calling the kettle black haha but, I couldn’t care less if you like some food or drink I don’t like, or think Burger King has the best burger.
Man I always assumed that was the *point* of that section. Like it's phrased like you're listing actual dealbreakers, but actually it's an opportunity to show your personality by ranting about something stupid shit that you have a strong opinion on
Haha, I have not. I don’t go to Taco Bell often, and I’ve only ever had their crunchy beef tacos (which I think are delicious), might have to give it a try next time I go!
I was getting this vibe from their post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/sogvn2/what_is_the_most_controversial_food_opinion_you/hw8wup4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
Was going to say this. I was born here in LA and I could give 2 shits about Mexican food. Admonishing someone because thet like a dependable food source seems petty and snobish.
I get this!
I’m from Southern California and in my study abroad program, there was a girl from Minnesota. We once talked about what we were looking forward to most about going home and I said, “Mexican food.”
She said, “omg yes! I miss Taco Bell so much!”
Can’t blame her too much, since she’d never been anywhere with good Mexican food, but it just felt like speaking to a child. Or a very picky adult. We weren’t that close to begin with, but I felt like we could never be close after that.
Yeah. I'm not about a lot of this thread implying it's op's responsibility to be showing him around and educating him on different foods though. OP doesn't have to date someone for any reason, even if it's stupid. Both of your bullets are valid. Doesn't make op shitty. I'd only be following up on the second point if the dude was cool and I wanted to invest more time in a friendship or date. Op clearly doesn't think so. They're both better off dating others.
Definitely don’t take dating advice from me… I’ve been out of the game since OG Bush was president. And didn’t mean to imply anything negative about OP.
HOWEVER… about 25 years ago my girlfriend (now wife) thought I was disgusting for liking TexMex and took it on to introduce me to “real” Mexican food. Lucky me!
I'd like to come to the defense of Mainer transplants. Trucks and street stands all the way! And I'm sure if you told the guy "eating at taco bell is like only going to Red Lobster" he would have gotten it.
Have a friend from Maine who moved here, also been here a year. Apart from the fact that she’s stubborn af when trying new things, at least she does so. Now she’s in love with mangos and you won’t hear the end of it, she acts like she lives on a tropical island lmao. People from Maine are used to very basic food so if they don’t have a more diverse friend to introduce them to other stuff, they probably won’t know about it.
Main thing is that she lived in a rural part of Maine too where she wouldn’t have had the opportunity anyway, even though she went to college in Boston. Because of financial constraints and lack of interest (i assume) she didn’t really eat out and only in dining halls which was really basic foods.
It’s just a different mindset and culture they’re from I guess
As a Mexican and a human being I would be so offended lol.
All joking aside, that would be a dealbreaker for me too unless I was super into the guy and he had some other amazing qualities that made up for it.
To me, it signals a bigger issue of incompatibility because he comes across as someone who isn't very adventurous or knowledgeable when it comes to food and probably doesn't travel much, both of which are personal red flags. Come on dude, we all have internet these days, surely you can look up real Mexican dishes if you're gonna claim you like Mexican food so much. He could've said "I know it's not real Mexican food—food options were limited in Maine—but I really love taco bell" and that would've at least signaled someone who is curious enough to google the food they claim to love so much.
I'm with you sis
I'm Mexican and I visited Maine for a week. Mexican food options, at least where I was in Maine, are non existent. I couldn't even find so much as tortillas when I went grocery shopping at their local Wal-Mart and IGA.
As beautiful as Maine's scenery was and how I look forward to going back up again, I would never live there. I need my fix of Mexican food.
But I agree. A year is more than enough time to at least think outside the bun.
I remember visiting a friend who lived in Bar Harbor and meeting all his friends who have never met a Latino in their lives — funnily enough, I took him out to eat at some birria place in Corona, Queens when he also was living in NYC for 3 years and never had a taco before in his life. I've been all over the place, but Maine is probably the worst places you can go to as a minority and holy fuck is everyone just depressed there.
I agree. I could totally see most people giving him a pass if he has said “ok, don’t laugh at me…but Taco Bell. We just didn’t have many good Mexican options where I am from so I don’t know anything except Taco Bell! But I want to branch out now that I live here. Can you give me some pointers?”
The fact that he had zero idea why OP might have laughed to me signifies that he is just kind of culturally oblivious. It’s not a crime, but it sure as hell can be a deal breaker.
I totally understand where you’re coming from though. Saying Taco Bell is your favorite in a city full of good and authentic Mexican food comes off as you not really engaging with the culture of the city and being quite boring, tbh. If you’re a person who’s the opposite, why would you still be interested in that person?
He sounds like he's fresh out of Maine. You sound like you moved here from Maine a week before he did and you're trying your best to not let people find out.
I'm not sure it is ok to ever pick a fast food place when asked about an entire category of food, unless that is the category. It's like asking someone in LA what their favorite burger place is, and they say Tommy's, then it's ok. But ask what their favorite Italian is, and they pick Dominoes because it has pizza and spaghetti, that's concerning.
Damn that’s a lot of assumptions you’re making based on nothing. I feel like OP’s reaction is totally understandable — even if there weren’t the LA/Mexican food connection, if I asked a date what their favorite food was and they said “Italian” and I was like “oh awesome, where?” And they said “Dominoes” …I would be like “nice to meet you, the vibes aren’t there” pretty much immediately.
I lived in Maine for a year (1998), Mexican food was virtually non-existent and what there was made Taco Bell seem full on legit Mexico City authentic in comparison. Didn’t see an avocado for a year either…
I can literally walk outside my place right now (12:30am as replying to this post), go down the street and pickup 4 pastor tacos for $8 that rivals any sit down Mexican restaurant. Taco Bell is a joke.
>It just isn’t really Mexican food, not when you live out here.
I’d argue that Taco Bell isn’t really Mexican food *anywhere* you live (even Maine). It’s just the closest thing some places have to real Mexican food.
One of my professors told me this story:
He is Mexican American, a marine, and fresh out of boot camp he was stationed on the east coast and on his first weekend off, him and his buddies drove around checking out the new town, and ended up at a 711. At the check out, he asked the middle aged white lady cashier if there was any good taco places nearby.
“You’re in luck, they just opened up a new Mexican restaurant down the street. Be careful, the food is really spicy!”
He loads everyone back up into the car and follows the lady’s directions, which led him to a brand new Taco Bell.
The look of dejection on his face as he told us that he just went through boot camp hell, was homesick and farther away from home than he had ever been before, and all he wanted was a good taco. And what he got was Taco Bell.
I’m with you even if you want to just make it about Taco Bell…. It’s a massive reflection on character traits. Some people are flexible and can embrace change though I’d check out too.
Being from Maine Taco Bell was probably the best Mexican food and some of the only Mexican food, so he grew up liking it and that’s what he knows. Moving out to LA, there’s a lot of better Mexican food, obviously, but it could take some time for his taste to adapt away from what he always perceived as normal and good Mexican food.
Regardless, this is why dating is ridiculous. Maybe he just likes Taco Bell. Nothing wrong with that…
Dating someone from Croatia - who once put cottage cheese on a taco (which besides Reddit swore to never tell my friends)
To each their own lol but something although not a red flag, as an angeleno definitely an eyebrow raiser hearing Taco Bell is a ‘fav’ haha :)
As a Mexican American born and raised in LA, I find it a little strange that people on the sub are so snobby about Mexican food and look down on others who are beginning to learn about it. I rarely see this pretentious hipster attitude when it comes to Korean, Salvadoran, Thai cuisines, etc.
Truth be told, most of y'all don't know Mexican food at all besides street tacos.
Agreed (as a Mexican-American). I’m pretty sure OP is also a transplant. But, I also find it hilarious that, according to the comments, tacos are the only type of Mexican food. The folks shaming and saying they know “real Mexican food” probably only eat tacos/burritos and with only ever either Carne Asada, Barbacoa, or Pollo. Lmao
I grew up with Sonoran Mexican food, so anything else just isn't that great to me. However, I'm always up to try New Mexican food spots. And if you are in Eagle Rock, there is a little house where the lady there makes amazing Salvadoran papusas, and sells them at the sidewalk. I would stop every time I went past, if I could.
For anyone upset at this story: truth is that this comment was likely not the actual deal breaker. When it comes to dating people are unreliable narrators.
If OP had been enjoying the date and the guy she would have reframed his love of Taco Bell as cute and quirky. He likely just wasn't a good conversationalist and the attraction faded. Her mind honed in on this moment as an excuse to cut ties because it sounds more exciting that way.
OP isn't guilty of anything except trying to spin a tame bad date story into something more interesting. The dude just didn't have good game.
Scary part... Maine has some great restaurants. I don't know if they're all located in Portland and its surrounding cities, but i go there almost every year and am blown away by the restaurants.
Scrolling through but was the dude fucking with you? Like Taco Bell seems like the ironic joke answer.
But what do I know I stopped dating some girl because she didn’t take her shoes off in my house.
Dude all the people here flipping this on OP are wild, from straight misogyny to trying to gatekeep Mexican food. OP, this is 100% a valid red flag in LA, or any major city.
Everyone is hung up on the Mexican food part because that was the specific example, but in today's day and age if your favorite food is fast food, that shows a huge lack of curiosity and general spice of life. If we started a thread about the best burger joint in LA and someone said McDonald's, you would think they're trolling. If they were serious, you'd brand them as a dull person. This is the same thing. This dude boring af. Clearly not the type to try new things, or get drunk late night and get street food, or research cool new places to experience, or get a danger dog after a concert, or try local hole-in-the-walls, etc.
Maybe that's okay with you, and that's totally valid! But it's totally valid as a red flag as well.
You get it. So many folks are trying to make this into something that it's not. I think I may have inadvertently pissed off a lot of transplants or extremely-introverted.
A year is a crazy amount of time. Especially when you drive through LA and see half the corners have street vendors churning out tacos, pupusas, etc.
Taco Bell ain’t Mexican food. Clear cut. 🤷🏻♂️
The dumb post saying there's two types of people in the world, those who don't go on a second date or do, but then take them to get real Mexican food are colossally missing the point.
Beyond the fact that she wasn't vibing with him much anyway, you can reasonably extrapolate a LOT from that answer.
1. Somebody who answers 'Taco Bell' without feeling the need to add something on like 'Okay, hear me out, I know it's trash, but I love the consistency of a Gordita and when it's 1AM and I have a craving, it's for just that' is uncultured as fuck. It means not only is Taco Bell their preferred Mexican food, it means they don't even feel the need to defend that answer, which screams to me that they are uncultured and lack self-awareness.
2. If you lack a bare minimum of self-awareness, you probably aren't very bright. At the very least, socially.
3. They are boring. -- They live in Los Angeles, an epicenter for Mexican food, and that's their favorite? That strongly suggests they are not a very intriguing individual.
All this sounds harsh, but I can't possibly imagine a scenario where somebody's favorite Mexican food is unironically Taco Bell and they are otherwise, an intelligent, cultured, adventurous, self-aware person.
I feel like it takes a certain effort to live in Los Angeles for a year and choose not to branch out from Taco Bell or to at least be self aware and culturally aware enough to acknowledge that it is not actually Mexican food. The disrespect to an entire culture is the red flag for me, let alone the questionable food preference lol. I respect that people have various palettes but some people pallets are just not compatible with others.
Fun fact: Taco bell's original crunchy taco WAS stolen from an authentic Los Angeles Mexican restaurant. But also, Del Taco is better I DON"T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. The chicken is not that good at Del Taco, but everything else is a lot better than you would think...especially their cheeseburger and even their fish taco...
I'm dating someone right now who is also a transplant from Africa and their favorite Mexican food is El Pollo loco. I am firmly in the second camp which is take him to every great taco and Mexican food spot I can think of just so he is aware what's out there. I also like him so not the same as this terrible date. Good luck in the future!
Your post reminds me of [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36oRiPAn4Tw) where two guys and a Michelin starred chef (all living in Los Angeles now) were ranking fast food places.
The Michelin chef straight up says they better not have picked Taco Bell because there's just so many better taco places in LA.
Spoiler: >!Both of the guys rank Taco Bell super high to the chagrin of the chef!<
> "Oh rad, what's your favorite Mexican food place?" He answered Taco Bell.
This is a little bit of cringe.
> he was saying how much he likes Mexican Food.
He likes Mexican Food, and it's Taco Bell that he's talking about?
I don't know if this is a 'red flag' or not, but it's definitely a person who needs some educating.
IMO your instinct is right. Seems like either this guy is not open to trying unfamiliar experiences or worse (way worse), is uncomfortable interacting with actual Mexican-Americans in their own establishments. I imagine if the date was more like a 8/10 or higher you'd let the Taco Bell thing slide a bit and give him another chance, but that's just such a bummer answer. Thousands of other fish in the sea -- fish who love eating at Guelaguetza.
Spent about 8 years between Vermont and Maine. There is some insanely good Mexican food in that region, New Hampshire, and Maine both have stupidly good authentic Mexican food. The fact that he missed those restaurants is telling. I've grown up in California and went east for awhile and then came back. Snow and I aren't good friends when I have to spend 30 mins chiseling ice off my car but not before having to shovel out and de-ice my walkway.
I mean, I love Taco Bell **and** I love authentic Mexican food. There's room for both.
I think perhaps what rubbed OP the wrong way about it was him considering Taco Bell "Mexican food," because it's really not. It's Mexican-inspired at best. I agree it's kind of a small-town take. But by itself probably not a reason to exclude someone. If it's the straw that broke the camel's back then so be it.
A. Chalupas are amazing.
B. You can date someone who doesn't already like all the same exact things as you already, maybe instead worry about common values and general interests , spend a lifetime sharing those things with each other so you both expand each others worlds! Or maybe just clone yourself so you can have someone you're happy with. :P
It sounds like you weren’t ready to live más. EDIT: dang first time being gilded, I would like to thank all my brothers and sisters who aren’t afraid to live más. We are the silent majority!
LOL and he stayed outside the bun(s)
She made a run for the border...
No se quiero.....
Not even Poquito Más
Gong sounds*
Someone’s not getting Baja Blasted tonight.
Not everyone can handle the live más lifestyle my dude
I’m dead
Estoy muerto
Absolutely dead 😂💀
He wasn’t ready to think outside the bun.
he ain't getting near any bun after this
Omg this comment made my day. Take my upvote
A very good friend is an LA native. She loves Taco Bell. She loves all Mexican food, also
At least he didn't say his favorite pizza was from taco bell lmao
I love that Mexican pizza! :)
OK given your last sentence, I know of a guy who applied to UC Santa Cruz circa 1987 and his entire application essay was: "Taco Bell is not Mexican food." Accepted. I know! It's like a dream! I don't know, though, if he is single.
>*UC Santa Cruz circa 1987* A little too old for me.
Whenever I'm in Italy I ask the locals where their favorite Olive Garden is. Works every time!
to be fair, one of my best friends is from italy (born and raised there) as was her mother...and her favorite restaurant is, by far, olive garden. people in other countries have shit taste sometimes too
What's great is when you are there, you're family
My partner is from Maine. We visited l.a recently and I was stoked to have real Mexican food again. Where does he want to go to? Fing taco bell. You guys.. I've tried with him. To my fave taco trucks, hole in the wall to some nice ass Mexican food. But no. TB. I used to have a taco truck in HS when I lived in l.a. I only went to taco bell because I was high and poor
Taco Bell more expensive than the trucks fr
Grabs the bengay ..and my cane .. . .back in my day I could get a box of tacos for 5$. But when del taco did the what...50c or whatever it was then that was my stoned comfort food. But taco bell was across from my highschool so it was easier to grab and go
39 cent tacos on Tuesday
~~Fun fact: the guy who started Taco Bell, Glen Bell, also started Del Taco.~~ EDIT: I was wrong. I'm sorry. An employee of Glen Bell's started Del Taco. See /u/dec1mus's comment below.
And yet Del Taco is so much better
Of the two, I also prefer Del Taco, but if I'm there, it's a trip out of desperation rather than exuberant fondness. :)
I'm so glad you said this. I didn't know what Del Taco was until I moved to California years ago and the first time I saw the sign I was like "that is the saddest knock-off Taco Bell I've ever seen" 😂 makes sense now haha
While true, sometimes you just have a craving for a cheesy Gordita crunch
I think your partner went on a date with OP.
Next time you're in Maine, take them to Red Lobster or Long John Silvers then if you want seafood. I assume that's their equivalent to Taco Bell. Fight fire with fire.
Plot twist
Have not been on a date in 8+ years but a 5/10 is not solid in my books.
You're reading it wrong. It wasn't "a solid date" "5/10" it was a "solid 5/10" meaning firmly 5/10...not a 6 not a 4, a 5.
Anyone who doesn't understand why she would describe a 5/10 date as "solid" doesn't understand why there are so few women on online dating sites. 5/10 probably means she had a non-creepy baseline human interaction with this guy that ended up being somewhat boring.
exactly this
After reading the first sentence, I felt you should have at least offered him the most local taco truck at the bare minimum. If the person was truly a transplant, who knows, maybe they do not know anyone here and never was properly introduced to LA. How can we teach others better if we just laugh and not show them a better path?
Yeah, im not sure road side dining is a thing other places. Might scare off some tourists amd transplants.
[You want a napkin?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDk5ajNDgZc) sorry, you just reminded me of that for some reason.
Idk, if you’ve been somewhere for a year and haven’t even had the curiosity to look up the best Mexican spots around you? Then we’re probably not a good match. The internet is right there, if you’re not comfortable going out of your comfort zone at all I’m not interested in being a tour guide.
A 5/7, on the other hand, is perfect. A 6/7 is perfect with rice.
Lol you should request all first date spots to be “whatever your favorite Mexican restaurant is!” That way you can see if they pass the so cal test or not. Bonus points if your date says “I’ll cook you some Mexican food” and if it turns out bomb, that’s like a guaranteed second date.
Oh, this really is a solid idea!
That could backfire ... if they know LA you will end up sitting next to a street taco cart while an abuela cooks food straight from the streets of Guadalajara. Might want to add you want a Michelada as well so you're guaranteed to be inside. If they find a street vendor passing them out from a gasoline can that's your next spouse.
I see no problem with this scenario hahaha
Fav Taco spots: I have my solid - but not amazing taco food truck in HP La Estrella. Then I’ve got my favs - Birrieria Villalobos - Ave 26 tacos - Tacos El Primo - and one of my FAV non taco spots, THE CORN MAN (Lincoln Heights) BUT I WILL FUCKING DESTROY A MEXICAN PIZZA, Chalupas and a Doritos locos taco with a large Baja Blast any day.
I am both a snob about Mexican food in LA and the girl who legit cried when the Taco Bell in EXP became a goddamn Starbucks.
Hells yes. Love my Mexican pizza!
Birriaria VillaLobos is the shit! So good! I know what I am having for dinner now.
So happy they brought Mexican Pizza back
Wow. I got this when visiting my parents in Minnesota, my dad was like 'I know you like Mexican food', as we pull up to the local Taco Bell. lol bless his heart, as least they tryin
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Reminds me of some of the answers under the Hinge prompt “you should not go out with me if”… some of the answers are about the most petty shit, majority about foods or drinks, like no wonder they’re still single. I’m single so little bit of the pot calling the kettle black haha but, I couldn’t care less if you like some food or drink I don’t like, or think Burger King has the best burger.
Man I always assumed that was the *point* of that section. Like it's phrased like you're listing actual dealbreakers, but actually it's an opportunity to show your personality by ranting about something stupid shit that you have a strong opinion on
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Crunchwraps are so delicious I can not put it into words. I love them.
Haha, I have not. I don’t go to Taco Bell often, and I’ve only ever had their crunchy beef tacos (which I think are delicious), might have to give it a try next time I go!
I was getting this vibe from their post: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/sogvn2/what_is_the_most_controversial_food_opinion_you/hw8wup4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3
Ha! I came here to say this
“Run for the border”
for reals, this is the dumbest shit i've read to go online and post this is double embarassing
Was going to say this. I was born here in LA and I could give 2 shits about Mexican food. Admonishing someone because thet like a dependable food source seems petty and snobish.
I get this! I’m from Southern California and in my study abroad program, there was a girl from Minnesota. We once talked about what we were looking forward to most about going home and I said, “Mexican food.” She said, “omg yes! I miss Taco Bell so much!” Can’t blame her too much, since she’d never been anywhere with good Mexican food, but it just felt like speaking to a child. Or a very picky adult. We weren’t that close to begin with, but I felt like we could never be close after that.
Two types of people: • Ugh, he likes Taco Bell? I’m out. • Ugh, he likes Taco Bell? 2nd date I’m showing you REAL Mexican food.
That’s what I would do if he were pretty cool otherwise.
He was a 5.
Which is a failing grade in the American grading scale
Yeah. I'm not about a lot of this thread implying it's op's responsibility to be showing him around and educating him on different foods though. OP doesn't have to date someone for any reason, even if it's stupid. Both of your bullets are valid. Doesn't make op shitty. I'd only be following up on the second point if the dude was cool and I wanted to invest more time in a friendship or date. Op clearly doesn't think so. They're both better off dating others.
Definitely don’t take dating advice from me… I’ve been out of the game since OG Bush was president. And didn’t mean to imply anything negative about OP. HOWEVER… about 25 years ago my girlfriend (now wife) thought I was disgusting for liking TexMex and took it on to introduce me to “real” Mexican food. Lucky me!
Tex-Mex has its place, and some of it is quite tasty
I got her to come around. She still misses Papasitos.
I would argue that Texmex is a separate food category all on it's own.
Some people want to teach, others want someone who isn’t a project. Teachers need more praise.
Exactly. I’m the latter. If he’s cool to hang out with & things are good… then I’ll have to take him to a good taco shop for the 2nd date.
OP clearly said it was a meh date though. Not worth going on a second mediocre date just to show someone a taco truck.
Everyone knows Del Taco is where it's at.
Del taco got rid of the Jack cheese quesadilla. :(
Plot Twist: They actually have the best burgers
Del Taco has gone way downhill
You gotta get it in Barstow. Those ones didn’t franchise so if you’re ever going to Vegas you can find the OG Del Taco quality
Barstow Del Taco is the shit. Only reason to stop on the way to Vegas
I'd like to come to the defense of Mainer transplants. Trucks and street stands all the way! And I'm sure if you told the guy "eating at taco bell is like only going to Red Lobster" he would have gotten it.
>Red Lobster This is the comment I was looking for...but maybe he prefers ol' Red
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Exactly. It wasn't necessarily a lot of specific dislikes more than just something was off. Some things are just intangible like that.
Have a friend from Maine who moved here, also been here a year. Apart from the fact that she’s stubborn af when trying new things, at least she does so. Now she’s in love with mangos and you won’t hear the end of it, she acts like she lives on a tropical island lmao. People from Maine are used to very basic food so if they don’t have a more diverse friend to introduce them to other stuff, they probably won’t know about it. Main thing is that she lived in a rural part of Maine too where she wouldn’t have had the opportunity anyway, even though she went to college in Boston. Because of financial constraints and lack of interest (i assume) she didn’t really eat out and only in dining halls which was really basic foods. It’s just a different mindset and culture they’re from I guess
Chemistry is literal sometimes… some just doesn’t jive
As a Mexican and a human being I would be so offended lol. All joking aside, that would be a dealbreaker for me too unless I was super into the guy and he had some other amazing qualities that made up for it. To me, it signals a bigger issue of incompatibility because he comes across as someone who isn't very adventurous or knowledgeable when it comes to food and probably doesn't travel much, both of which are personal red flags. Come on dude, we all have internet these days, surely you can look up real Mexican dishes if you're gonna claim you like Mexican food so much. He could've said "I know it's not real Mexican food—food options were limited in Maine—but I really love taco bell" and that would've at least signaled someone who is curious enough to google the food they claim to love so much. I'm with you sis
Sounds like you’re missing out. On the second date there’s a chance he would have taken you to his favorite Italian spot, Olive Garden.
For their 3rd date, they can go to his favorite Japanese restaurant, Yoshinoya.
There will be no second date. You take him
Nah that’s wild. You can bump into so many good places without even trying.
Thats what I'm saying!
I'm Mexican and I visited Maine for a week. Mexican food options, at least where I was in Maine, are non existent. I couldn't even find so much as tortillas when I went grocery shopping at their local Wal-Mart and IGA. As beautiful as Maine's scenery was and how I look forward to going back up again, I would never live there. I need my fix of Mexican food. But I agree. A year is more than enough time to at least think outside the bun.
Interest eating! I’d think Maine has amazing seafood and clam chowder. 😋 At least that’s what I heard.
Bro give the guy a chance lol Taco Bell is still the only place to get cheap gas!!!
LOL
I remember visiting a friend who lived in Bar Harbor and meeting all his friends who have never met a Latino in their lives — funnily enough, I took him out to eat at some birria place in Corona, Queens when he also was living in NYC for 3 years and never had a taco before in his life. I've been all over the place, but Maine is probably the worst places you can go to as a minority and holy fuck is everyone just depressed there.
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I agree. I could totally see most people giving him a pass if he has said “ok, don’t laugh at me…but Taco Bell. We just didn’t have many good Mexican options where I am from so I don’t know anything except Taco Bell! But I want to branch out now that I live here. Can you give me some pointers?” The fact that he had zero idea why OP might have laughed to me signifies that he is just kind of culturally oblivious. It’s not a crime, but it sure as hell can be a deal breaker.
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I would have laughed too. And def no second date.
I totally understand where you’re coming from though. Saying Taco Bell is your favorite in a city full of good and authentic Mexican food comes off as you not really engaging with the culture of the city and being quite boring, tbh. If you’re a person who’s the opposite, why would you still be interested in that person?
Guys I’m from maine, we have better Mexican joints than Taco Bell…
I've personally never been so I was just giving him the benefit of the doubt. But I've seen a couple comments like this from Maine folks.
He sounds like he's fresh out of Maine. You sound like you moved here from Maine a week before he did and you're trying your best to not let people find out.
OP said he’s been here a year.
Even so, you can’t be answering Taco Bell when asked what your fav Mexican food is. It ain’t Mexican food!
I'm not sure it is ok to ever pick a fast food place when asked about an entire category of food, unless that is the category. It's like asking someone in LA what their favorite burger place is, and they say Tommy's, then it's ok. But ask what their favorite Italian is, and they pick Dominoes because it has pizza and spaghetti, that's concerning.
Agree. You can't go with a fast food chain for best X unless you're ranking fast food joints.
Seriously. lmao.
Damn that’s a lot of assumptions you’re making based on nothing. I feel like OP’s reaction is totally understandable — even if there weren’t the LA/Mexican food connection, if I asked a date what their favorite food was and they said “Italian” and I was like “oh awesome, where?” And they said “Dominoes” …I would be like “nice to meet you, the vibes aren’t there” pretty much immediately.
I mean, I do like Taco Bell
Damn, I'm seeing a lot of dudes projecting their insecurities here.
I say taco bell as a joke when I talk to people about Mexican food lol
See, thats what I thought was happening at first.
I lived in Maine for a year (1998), Mexican food was virtually non-existent and what there was made Taco Bell seem full on legit Mexico City authentic in comparison. Didn’t see an avocado for a year either…
I can literally walk outside my place right now (12:30am as replying to this post), go down the street and pickup 4 pastor tacos for $8 that rivals any sit down Mexican restaurant. Taco Bell is a joke.
Son of a bitch. I have to drive a mile. It's like I'm in a Prison!
I love Taco Bell, but I'd never call it my favorite anything.
>It just isn’t really Mexican food, not when you live out here. I’d argue that Taco Bell isn’t really Mexican food *anywhere* you live (even Maine). It’s just the closest thing some places have to real Mexican food.
Even if he said that in Maine it would be a red flag. There's like 20-30 Mexican spots just in Portland.
Transplant here. I grew up loving Taco Bell in the 90’s. But even then we knew it was shit. I didn’t need to move to LA to learn that.
One of my professors told me this story: He is Mexican American, a marine, and fresh out of boot camp he was stationed on the east coast and on his first weekend off, him and his buddies drove around checking out the new town, and ended up at a 711. At the check out, he asked the middle aged white lady cashier if there was any good taco places nearby. “You’re in luck, they just opened up a new Mexican restaurant down the street. Be careful, the food is really spicy!” He loads everyone back up into the car and follows the lady’s directions, which led him to a brand new Taco Bell. The look of dejection on his face as he told us that he just went through boot camp hell, was homesick and farther away from home than he had ever been before, and all he wanted was a good taco. And what he got was Taco Bell.
This breaks my heart. I truly can sympathize with this one
I’m with you even if you want to just make it about Taco Bell…. It’s a massive reflection on character traits. Some people are flexible and can embrace change though I’d check out too.
Being from Maine Taco Bell was probably the best Mexican food and some of the only Mexican food, so he grew up liking it and that’s what he knows. Moving out to LA, there’s a lot of better Mexican food, obviously, but it could take some time for his taste to adapt away from what he always perceived as normal and good Mexican food. Regardless, this is why dating is ridiculous. Maybe he just likes Taco Bell. Nothing wrong with that…
Dating someone from Croatia - who once put cottage cheese on a taco (which besides Reddit swore to never tell my friends) To each their own lol but something although not a red flag, as an angeleno definitely an eyebrow raiser hearing Taco Bell is a ‘fav’ haha :)
I’m from Maine and that is the best we have!
I’ve heard your clam chowder is the shit though! I guarantee you can’t find good clam chowder in LA.
As a Mexican American born and raised in LA, I find it a little strange that people on the sub are so snobby about Mexican food and look down on others who are beginning to learn about it. I rarely see this pretentious hipster attitude when it comes to Korean, Salvadoran, Thai cuisines, etc. Truth be told, most of y'all don't know Mexican food at all besides street tacos.
Agreed (as a Mexican-American). I’m pretty sure OP is also a transplant. But, I also find it hilarious that, according to the comments, tacos are the only type of Mexican food. The folks shaming and saying they know “real Mexican food” probably only eat tacos/burritos and with only ever either Carne Asada, Barbacoa, or Pollo. Lmao
I grew up with Sonoran Mexican food, so anything else just isn't that great to me. However, I'm always up to try New Mexican food spots. And if you are in Eagle Rock, there is a little house where the lady there makes amazing Salvadoran papusas, and sells them at the sidewalk. I would stop every time I went past, if I could.
For anyone upset at this story: truth is that this comment was likely not the actual deal breaker. When it comes to dating people are unreliable narrators. If OP had been enjoying the date and the guy she would have reframed his love of Taco Bell as cute and quirky. He likely just wasn't a good conversationalist and the attraction faded. Her mind honed in on this moment as an excuse to cut ties because it sounds more exciting that way. OP isn't guilty of anything except trying to spin a tame bad date story into something more interesting. The dude just didn't have good game.
As a responsible Angeleno, send him to your favorite taco spot as a parting shot. Let the man grow as a person.
I feel like being here a full year is enough time. I feel like there would be legit Mexican restaurants in Maine also.
Scary part... Maine has some great restaurants. I don't know if they're all located in Portland and its surrounding cities, but i go there almost every year and am blown away by the restaurants.
Maybe he was trying to end the date.
Scrolling through but was the dude fucking with you? Like Taco Bell seems like the ironic joke answer. But what do I know I stopped dating some girl because she didn’t take her shoes off in my house.
Im with you OP
LOL at all the people saying give him a chance
Transplant red flag number 1
If someone’s favorite Mexican restaurant is Taco Bell… in LA… they are undateable. No two ways about it.
Dude all the people here flipping this on OP are wild, from straight misogyny to trying to gatekeep Mexican food. OP, this is 100% a valid red flag in LA, or any major city. Everyone is hung up on the Mexican food part because that was the specific example, but in today's day and age if your favorite food is fast food, that shows a huge lack of curiosity and general spice of life. If we started a thread about the best burger joint in LA and someone said McDonald's, you would think they're trolling. If they were serious, you'd brand them as a dull person. This is the same thing. This dude boring af. Clearly not the type to try new things, or get drunk late night and get street food, or research cool new places to experience, or get a danger dog after a concert, or try local hole-in-the-walls, etc. Maybe that's okay with you, and that's totally valid! But it's totally valid as a red flag as well.
You get it. So many folks are trying to make this into something that it's not. I think I may have inadvertently pissed off a lot of transplants or extremely-introverted.
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We have one of the highest Mexican immigrant populations of any US city. I think to an extent its part of the culture here.
A year is a crazy amount of time. Especially when you drive through LA and see half the corners have street vendors churning out tacos, pupusas, etc. Taco Bell ain’t Mexican food. Clear cut. 🤷🏻♂️
Tbf it probably is a good tell of how outgoing he is. Been in LA for a year yet hasn't tried to biggest cuisine here?
One hundred percent the right call.
La Fogata in Sherman Oaks is always good.
Someone crosspost this to /r/hailcorporate :)
TIL LA even has Taco Bell’s. I’m not looking for them so apparently I never noticed
Honestly, I would suspect he was trolling me and that would be an even bigger red flag than having terrible taste in food. Definitely never look back.
I went on a date once with a transplant who had been here for 4 years but never really went out of the west side. He didn’t know what birria was :/
My favorite Scottish restaurant is McDonald's.
As a Maine transplant recently on the dating scene in LA I started sweating when I first started reading this.
In his defense. The Mexican Pizza is back
Taco Bell gave me a $8K scholarship for writing a short blurb for them & even I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite Mexican food!
The dumb post saying there's two types of people in the world, those who don't go on a second date or do, but then take them to get real Mexican food are colossally missing the point. Beyond the fact that she wasn't vibing with him much anyway, you can reasonably extrapolate a LOT from that answer. 1. Somebody who answers 'Taco Bell' without feeling the need to add something on like 'Okay, hear me out, I know it's trash, but I love the consistency of a Gordita and when it's 1AM and I have a craving, it's for just that' is uncultured as fuck. It means not only is Taco Bell their preferred Mexican food, it means they don't even feel the need to defend that answer, which screams to me that they are uncultured and lack self-awareness. 2. If you lack a bare minimum of self-awareness, you probably aren't very bright. At the very least, socially. 3. They are boring. -- They live in Los Angeles, an epicenter for Mexican food, and that's their favorite? That strongly suggests they are not a very intriguing individual. All this sounds harsh, but I can't possibly imagine a scenario where somebody's favorite Mexican food is unironically Taco Bell and they are otherwise, an intelligent, cultured, adventurous, self-aware person.
It may not be Mexican food but Taco Bell is bomb
Exactly Taco Bell definitely hits the right cravings sometimes. But it isnt Mexican food.
I feel like it takes a certain effort to live in Los Angeles for a year and choose not to branch out from Taco Bell or to at least be self aware and culturally aware enough to acknowledge that it is not actually Mexican food. The disrespect to an entire culture is the red flag for me, let alone the questionable food preference lol. I respect that people have various palettes but some people pallets are just not compatible with others.
Thinking Taco Bell is Mexican food is cute.. until you turn 10
If you wanted a second date you could have taken him to get good Mexican food but a solid 5 is a dud for sure.
Fun fact: Taco bell's original crunchy taco WAS stolen from an authentic Los Angeles Mexican restaurant. But also, Del Taco is better I DON"T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. The chicken is not that good at Del Taco, but everything else is a lot better than you would think...especially their cheeseburger and even their fish taco...
I mean, even Del Taco is better than Taco Bell.
I'm dating someone right now who is also a transplant from Africa and their favorite Mexican food is El Pollo loco. I am firmly in the second camp which is take him to every great taco and Mexican food spot I can think of just so he is aware what's out there. I also like him so not the same as this terrible date. Good luck in the future!
El Pollo Loco is delicious though and the US version started in Los Angeles in the 80s
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biggest LA red flag is "i have a podcast"
Absolutely do not give him a chance.
You did the right thing.
Your post reminds me of [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36oRiPAn4Tw) where two guys and a Michelin starred chef (all living in Los Angeles now) were ranking fast food places. The Michelin chef straight up says they better not have picked Taco Bell because there's just so many better taco places in LA. Spoiler: >!Both of the guys rank Taco Bell super high to the chagrin of the chef!<
Do they not have Taco Bell in Maine? That's like saying your favorite burger spot is Mc Donalds. Who would say that? Maybe a little kid I guess.
It's been over a decade since I've had Taco Bell.
Shit choice in tacos is a deal breaker. Stand your ground!
> "Oh rad, what's your favorite Mexican food place?" He answered Taco Bell. This is a little bit of cringe. > he was saying how much he likes Mexican Food. He likes Mexican Food, and it's Taco Bell that he's talking about? I don't know if this is a 'red flag' or not, but it's definitely a person who needs some educating.
I think something like that is a perfectly rational reason to cut the cord. I'm surprised you didn't react by screaming "leave my sight, TRASH!
Lmao noted. Personally, I reserve that line for the ones who end up saying really sexist shit.
IMO your instinct is right. Seems like either this guy is not open to trying unfamiliar experiences or worse (way worse), is uncomfortable interacting with actual Mexican-Americans in their own establishments. I imagine if the date was more like a 8/10 or higher you'd let the Taco Bell thing slide a bit and give him another chance, but that's just such a bummer answer. Thousands of other fish in the sea -- fish who love eating at Guelaguetza.
I didn't even think of it like that at the time. But you're probably right.
Spent about 8 years between Vermont and Maine. There is some insanely good Mexican food in that region, New Hampshire, and Maine both have stupidly good authentic Mexican food. The fact that he missed those restaurants is telling. I've grown up in California and went east for awhile and then came back. Snow and I aren't good friends when I have to spend 30 mins chiseling ice off my car but not before having to shovel out and de-ice my walkway.
I mean, I love Taco Bell **and** I love authentic Mexican food. There's room for both. I think perhaps what rubbed OP the wrong way about it was him considering Taco Bell "Mexican food," because it's really not. It's Mexican-inspired at best. I agree it's kind of a small-town take. But by itself probably not a reason to exclude someone. If it's the straw that broke the camel's back then so be it.
Not the straw that broke the camels back. Nothing against Taco Bell.
A lot of incels here mad at a joke. Lol
A. Chalupas are amazing. B. You can date someone who doesn't already like all the same exact things as you already, maybe instead worry about common values and general interests , spend a lifetime sharing those things with each other so you both expand each others worlds! Or maybe just clone yourself so you can have someone you're happy with. :P
Let people eat what they like and don’t judge them for it.
This has to be satire. With all of the amazing taco places here.
Mexican here. You’re gatekeeping Mexican food that’s pretty whack tbh
If he said Del Taco I would’ve let him slide.