Ten years ago, the original Taco Bell building in Downey was moved across multiple cities to the fast food chain’s headquarters in Irvine. Ten years later, it’s still sitting there.
Why now: It’s the 63rd birthday of Taco Bell’s founding this week.
Read on … to hear what, if anything, Taco Bell has planned for “Numero Uno.”
Los Angeles has an obsession with moving ginormous things across the city — we love the pure spectacle of it.
There was Levitated Mass, aka the huge boulder at LACMA, that undertook an 11-night journey on surface streets to arrive at the museum in 2012. Later that year, the space shuttle Endeavour did something similar, albeit for a much shorter but no less challenging 12 miles between LAX and the California Science Center.
In November 2015, yet another oversized object snail-crawled across town. This time, the first-ever Taco Bell — a 400-square-foot rectangle with Spanish Colonial Revival arches and tiled roof. In just one night, it traveled through nine cities from its original Downey location to the fast food giant's corporate headquarters in Irvine.
Taco Bell hinted at a grand relaunch, or a sort of memorialization. But 10 years later, in the week of the chain’s 63rd birthday, "Numero Uno" is still there — in the corner of said parking lot under a blue tarp.
The "bell" in Taco Bell is Glen Bell, a serial restaurateur and native Southern Californian who first made a go at it with a hot dog stand in San Bernardino in 1948. Four years later, having sold the stand, he upgraded to selling hot dogs and burgers at another San Bernardino location — across the street from a Mexican restaurant that sold, among other things, hard-shell tacos.
From there Bell's subsequent ventures would focus on the taco — culminating in the founding of Taco Bell at 7112 Firestone Blvd. in Downey on March 21, 1962.
"It's a little shoebox-sized space. It's super small. It's just got a couple little bathrooms in the back, and that's about it," Downey resident George Redfox said. "It was a really cool little building."
Redfox is a founder of the local historical preservation group the Downey Conservancy. Although he never went to that Taco Bell, he said he did go to Taco Raul before it. In 1986, Taco Bell closed the so-called "Numero Uno" location. After housing a number of other restaurants, the building shut down for good and had sat vacant since the end of 2014.
That's when it was slated for demolition. And that's when Redfox and his fellow preservationists stepped in and alerted Taco Bell. The corporation began a media blitz to "Save Taco Bell Numero Uno."
“This is arguably the most important restaurant in our company’s history,” said Brian Niccol, then-chief executive officer of Taco Bell Corp. in a statement at the time. “To think a business like ours, that spans 6,000 restaurants around the globe, started with a walk-up window no bigger than a two-car garage is truly inspirational. When we heard about the chance of it being demolished, we had to step in. We owe that to our fans, we owe that to Glen Bell.”
At 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2015, the Numero Uno move began. The building arrived early the next morning at the corporate campus in Irvine. The preservation campaign and the move ginned up a tremendous amount of fanfare, with local and national coverage.
"It's very on brand," said Sam Oches, editor in chief of Nation's Restaurant News, a trade publication based in New York. "Taco Bell is a party of one in the restaurant industry as far as what they can get away with."
Oches said the taco chain has cultivated and sustained an image of irreverence and fun with "strokes of marketing genius," like offering a free taco to everyone in the U.S. if parts of a decommissioned space station breaking up in Earth's atmosphere landed on a Taco Bell target floating in the south Pacific Ocean.
"Even though Taco Bell is 60 plus years old, they feel so young and fresh because they're really of this moment where all the young people are on social media and that's what's driving our discourse," Oches added.
So yeah, moving an old building 45 miles across L.A. sounds just about right.
The plan, the company said a decade ago, was to keep the building at its headquarters until "its future use is determined" — a decision that would be made with feedback from fans and the public.
Ten years later, the historic building is still sitting there — with a tarp thrown over it to fend off the elements. The company did dust off the old Numero Uno for a photo op to celebrate the chain's 60th birthday a couple years ago.
But those future plans — they're still in development.
"We love Numero Uno," Taco Bell said in a statement to LAist. "We don’t have any plans to share at the moment for what’s next, but we’ll be sure to bring you along when we do."
Redfox, the Downey preservationist, has ideas.
"For me I'd like to see it placed somewhere in the city. ... Yeah, I would like to see it back here" in Downey, he said.
But he's still grateful that Taco Bell saved Numero Uno from the wrecking ball. After all, Downey plays an important part in the history of American fast food.
"We got the first Taco Bell. We have one of the first McDonald's — number three, actually," Redfox said. "We've also got one of the original Denny's restaurants. A lot of fast food kind of started around this area."
Topline:
Paradise Dynasty and Burritos La Palma have teamed up on a limited-edition Birria XLB — birria de res folded into a soup dumpling skin.
Why it matters: Two of the defining food obsessions of the past decade in Southern California — birria and XLB — are meeting in one bite, and the collab feels less like a gimmick and more like a natural expression of how L.A.'s Asian and Latino food cultures have always cross-pollinated.
Why now: The Birria XLB drops publicly May 11 at Paradise Dynasty's South Coast Plaza and Americana at Brand locations.
File this under things that could only happen in L.A.
Paradise Dynasty, the Singapore-based chain known for its signature eight-flavor xiao long bao, has teamed up with Burritos La Palma — the SoCal burrito institution whose birria de res recipe traces back over 45 years — to create a limited-edition birria soup dumpling. The Birria XLB will be available starting Monday (May 11) for a limited time at Paradise Dynasty locations.
I've eaten my weight in both soup dumplings and burritos, so naturally, I'm a fan of both.
Paradise Dynasty has been on a steady ascent as a major player in L.A.'s dumpling scene, with locations at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and The Americana at Brand in Glendale.
Meanwhile, Burritos La Palma — known for its simple, savory burritos and finely crafted flour tortillas — has been capturing hearts and stomachs since Alberto Bañuelos opened the first eatery in L.A. in 2012. It’s since grown to several spots across L.A. and Orange County, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024 for its high-quality, Zacatecan-style handmade flour tortilla burritos at an affordable price.
So what exactly is a birria soup dumpling? A delicate wrapper, lightly packed with tender birria de res — slow-braised beef stewed in chilies and spices — juicy, savory and gone in one bite.
It all began with a call from Paradise Dynasty, when Jason Kuo, district manager for Paradise Dynasty USA, reached out to Bañuelos, calling it, simply, a perfect match between the two dishes.
Kuo said the idea came straight from the community.
"When we started asking guests and people around us what flavor they would want to see in a soup dumpling, birria kept coming up again and again — it was very clear. If we're going to do birria, it has to be done right. Burritos La Palma was the first name that came to mind."
Bañuelos was "beyond thrilled" to have been approached.
"We come from a small town in Mexico, and to be able to elevate to the level of Paradise Dynasty and that culinary perfection, I can't even really put it into words," he said.
It took months of R&D to get the right consistency. Bañuelos said the process required dialing down the moisture and upping the spice potency and landed on serving a fresh red salsa with thin slivers of serrano peppers alongside — a riff on the black vinegar and pickled ginger traditionally served with soup dumplings.
I got a chance to try the dumplings ahead of the public launch and was struck by how well the combination worked. The juicy nature of birria is almost turbocharged in dumpling form, its savory, herbaceous flavors fully encapsulated in the thin skin, creating an exceptional texture in every bite. The dish hits even harder when dipped in the light tomato-based salsa — a rush of freshness that cuts through the richness, with a spike of heat from fresh serrano. (Feel free to skip the peppers if spice isn't your thing.)
But what's most impressive is how organic it all feels. This isn't fusion for fusion's sake — it's a natural meeting of two dishes that are deeply embedded in the Southern California diet, each playing to the other's strengths.
It feels like a logical meeting of the minds — birria and soup dumplings have both been part of L.A.'s culinary zeitgeist for the better part of a decade, and it makes sense that these worlds should collide.
When asked whether a collaboration like this could happen anywhere else, Bañuelos was quick: "It has to start in L.A. You just can't compete."
You can try Birria XLB at:
Address: 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa (Near Bloomingdales)
Phone: (714) 617-4630
Address: 177 Caruso Ave, Glendale
Phone: (858) 351-4177
Topline:
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody.
Why now: They signed a letter last week, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
How we got here: The letter comes in the wake of an investigation by the California and Texas Newsrooms, public media collaboratives in those states. LAist is part of The California Newsroom.
The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health researchers interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody. They’ve signed a letter, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
The letter comes in the wake of an investigation by the California and Texas Newsrooms, public media collaboratives in those states. LAist is part of The California Newsroom.
The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health experts interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
The letter says the detention violates federal regulations because the children are “entitled to the full range of medical care, including reproductive health care.”
Rep. Gil Cisneros, who represents the central San Gabriel Valley, says he worries that pregnant migrants who are apprehended in California will be put at risk if they’re sent to a part of Texas that is short on obstetric care. Of particularly concern: High-risk pregnancies are common among minors.
“If they were in California," he said, "they would be able to have more choices of the type of health care that they would get when it comes to reproductive health care.”
Rep. Judy Chu, who represents the West San Gabriel Valley, wrote in a statement that “this administration is so intent on restricting abortion that it is using immigration detention as a tool to control these girls’ bodies.”
Mark Betancourt is a regular contributor to The California Newsroom.
Topline:
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
Why now: The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teacher’s union.
The district’s policy: A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites. “‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff. The 110-page document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
What's next: The Department’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating whether the district’s policy violates Title IX, a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. The Trump administration has also recently targeted LAUSD's desegregation policy and transgender student protections.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teachers union.
A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites.
“‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
United Teachers Los Angeles called the DOE's accusations a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the district’s reassignment policy.
“[Employees] are not reassigned to another classroom or to any other setting where they would interact with students,” read a statement provided by the union. “This policy protects both students and staff and creates conditions for a thorough and appropriate investigation of allegations.”
The federal investigation, overseen by the department’s Office for Civil Rights, will assess whether the district’s policy violates Title IX, a law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
Kimberly Richey, the assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in a statement that Title IX requires schools to address claims of sexual misconduct in a “timely manner.”
“It is unconscionable that the district would simply ignore Title IX’s procedural requirements to protect teachers who cause life-changing harm to their kids,” Richey wrote. “The Trump administration will always fight to uphold the law, protect the safety of all students and restore common sense to our schools.”
The Trump administration also has recently targeted LAUSD's desegregation policy and transgender student protections.
Last year, the office failed to resolve any cases related to sexual harassment, sexual violence or racial harassment, according to a report released by Sen. Bernie Sanders in late April. Sanders is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Education Committee.
In March 2025, the Trump administration pushed to cut over half of OCR’s nearly 600 staff members, which contributed to a growing backlog of cases. Those employees were placed on administrative leave pending the result of legal challenges, and many were later brought back.
The Education Department has also withheld records related to civil rights investigations, prompting a lawsuit from investigative nonprofit newsroom ProPublica.
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff.
The 110-page protocol document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
“Los Angeles Unified takes all allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of every student and staff member in our care.” The statement also said the district follows Title IX procedures and continuously reviews its policies, training and reporting systems.
The UTLA settlement outlines several circumstances where an employee can be reassigned, including a law enforcement investigation of misconduct, sexual harassment of a student, behavior toward a student perceived to be motivated by a sexual interest and communicating with a student for non-school-related purposes.
School employees are “mandated reporters” who must, by law, notify local law enforcement or child welfare agencies of suspected child abuse or neglect. California Attorney General Rob Bonta reminded K-12 school district leaders in late April of their legal obligation to prevent sexual misconduct and protect students.
There have been few comprehensive studies of sexual misconduct in schools. A 2004 report to the Department of Education estimated 1-in-10 students experiences sexual misconduct, ranging from inappropriate comments to physical abuse.
A new California law requires schools to train students and staff to recognize and report misconduct and write new policies on “appropriate behavior.” It also will create a new database of educators credibly accused of abuse.
More than 1,000 lawsuits related to sexual abuse that date to the 1940s have been filed against California school districts since the enactment of a 2019 law that gave victims a three-year window to sue.
LAUSD has authorized $750 million in bonds to pay for sexual misconduct settlements related to suits stemming from the law.
Topline:
Summer of Soccer programs at the LA County Library are aimed to promote learning, foster community connections and create safe and free spaces during the World Cup tournament.
Limited-edition library card: Summer of Soccer kicked off May 1 with a limited-edition library card, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
Why it matters: The library is using soccer’s wide appeal to promote learning, build community connections and create safe and free spaces where people can enjoy talking about the sport.
Why now: The library program is meant to overlap with the World Cup, which begins June 11 and ends July 19. The free events are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The backstory: The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
What's next: See details about the Summer of Soccer programs at this link.
Go deeper: Details out for FIFA Fan Zone watch parties across L.A. County. Some are free.
The LA County Library has begun its Summer of Soccer program to bring the excitement of the North American tournament to all Angelenos.
“Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities,” Skye Patrick, director of the LA County Library, said on the library website.
The program kicked off May 1 with the library system offering limited-edition Summer of Soccer library cards, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
The cards are available for free for anyone signing up for the first time and for $1 for people who already have an LA County Library card.
There’s a whole range of Summer of Soccer events at branch libraries, from May 20 to July 9.
Highlights include a soccer-themed story time for 2- to 5-year-olds at Graham Library, north of Watts at 3:30 p.m. June 4, while at 3 p.m. the same day, the A C Bilbrew Library west of Compton hosts “Makey Makey for Teens,” which will lead youth through the steps to make their own game controllers and test them on a virtual soccer field. This and other programs repeat at other branches.
Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities.
All Summer of Soccer events are free and are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
