Just heard this evening that Glen Bell, founder of Taco Bell, died. Minor interest, when I heard it earlier this evening.
But here's the weird part. I knew that McDonald's started in San Bernardino. Del Taco started in the area, I think, but I'm not sure (and it is mostly a SoCal chain, so safe enough bet). Also Baker's Burgers, a favorite chain mentioned on the San Bernardino facebook group I'm a member of, and still limited to the Inland Empire.
I'd heard the Taco Bell ads as a kid on radio and TV, but never went to a Taco Bell until after I went off to college. Went to the one on Mission Street in Santa Cruz once or twice. Okay, but not as good as Del Taco (of which there was one in Santa Cruz too, went there on our wedding night but that's a different story for a different time).
And now I learn, via the San Bernardino group, that Taco Bell actually started in SB. Damn, if only Ted's Shortstop had made the big leagues of fast food.