Fans of Taco Time Northwest have just a few more days to visit one of the chain’s most recognizable locations before it closes for good.
On Monday, the Taco Time on North 45th Street in Wallingford will shut down due to decreased business paired with increasing costs of food and wages. The mirrored “landmark” has had its notorious reflective facade since 1990, and the beloved Mexican-adjacent franchise has had a home on 45th even longer — since 1974.
Manager Thelma Vasquez says the owner, Kristen Hanna, let staff know a few months ago that she planned on closing the business.
“Business has just not been the same after COVID,” Vasquez said. “We were hoping that business would go back, but with the increase of prices of everything and wages, it’s just unsustainable.”
Vasquez posted a notice at the location late last week to let the public know of the closure. Since then, business has been “pretty steady,” she said. “Now they know we’re closing so they want to come and visit. I’ve heard, ‘I’m going to come back and eat inside for the last time.’ They’re sad,” Vasquez said.
The staff has the option to transfer to another Taco Time Northwest location or look for different jobs. Vasquez has worked for the company for 28 years, spending the last year and a half at the Wallingford location. She has the opportunity to transfer to another store, but Vasquez said it’s time to do something else. “The only thing I’m not going to miss is the commute,” she said. Otherwise, “I’m going to miss everything.”
For disappointed local Taco Time fans, there’s another gleaming glass Taco Time still in business (located at 5 14th St. N.E. in Auburn) and several dozen additional locations strewn across Western Washington, presenting plenty of opportunities for crisp burritos and tater fries.
As for the Wallingford location, Vasquez says it will soon become a Chipotle outpost. It’s unclear at this time if the glass exterior will stay, but at least there will still be tacos.
