An ode to Taco Bell

I’m a creature of habit. One of my habits, other than showering daily and brushing my teeth and drinking eight glasses of water a day (does anyone actually count?) and (gasp) biting my nails, is eating lunch at Taco Bell. Not only that, but I get the exact same thing every day: a MexiMelt with two Crunchy Tacos.

But why, Ben, you ask, why? Don’t you like variety? Sure. But observe the advantages: 1) one less decision to make. I already have too many decisions on my plate; simplicity makes me happy. 2) I know exactly how much the meal will be ($3.28), so bookkeeping is easier. 3) Wayne, the cashier, and JoAnna, the girl who makes the food, both know me by sight, so all I have to do is show up and say, “The usual.” How cool is that?

In fact, I propose an experiment. A zany experiment, no doubt, but here goes: if any of you are at BYU, go to Taco Bell (in the Cougareat) at lunch hours and ask to get “the same thing as that one guy who eats here every day and always orders the same thing.” (I don’t know if Wayne remembers my name or not. I’ll have to work on that.) For extra points you can even tell them I blogged about them. Then come back here and report. (Make sure to mention their reactions. :))

As a former Cougareat TB employee, I can tell you that we love the customers who come regularly. In an industry where hardly anyone notices you are there, it’s nice to have the regulars who at least recognize your contribution to their day.

Oh, and I always get the 7-Layer Burrito, minus the guac, sub the avacado ranch sauce. $1.70, but I try not to eat at TB everyday . . . .

Today Sarah (she’s the other girl who works there) and JoAnna asked if I wanted a free enchirito as well, “Because you’re a regular.” Grin. Little things like that can totally make someone’s day — it sure made mine. :) And now they know my name, too. (Before today I was “the MexiMelt guy,” apparently.)

Names are interesting things. It’s really easy to not get to know people, but once you know someone’s name and they know yours, you’ve made a human connection and it’s all so much more meaningful. That’s a topic for its own post, though. :)

Ah! Sarah is my favorite TB worker! We used to work together Monday nights and have Taco Bell Home Evening!

Yesterday there were four or five people ahead of me when I got in line. JoAnna saw me coming and started making my food in between the other people’s orders, and so by the time I got to the counter, even before I could say a word, she already had it in a paper bag ready to go. It was awesome. :) (This is the power of ordering the same thing every day, my friends.)