Taco Smell (Taco Bell nickname)

Taco Bell fast food restaurants have been nicknamed “Taco Smell” since at least 1990. The nickname, perhaps, comes from the inexpensive ingredients used to make the food, providing the taco smell more than the authentic taco food.

Other Taco Bell nicknames include “Taco Hell” (cited in print since at least 1989), “Toxic Hell” (since 1990) and “Toxic Smell” (since 1994).

Wikipedia: Taco Bell
Taco Bell is an American chain of fast-food restaurants based in Irvine, California. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., it specializes in Mexican-style food. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, other specialty items, and a variety of “Value Menu” items. Taco Bell serves more than 2 billion consumers each year in more than 5,800 restaurants in the U.S., more than 80 percent of which are owned and operated by independent franchisees.

Urban Dictionary
Taco Smell
Slang word for the fast-food chain Taco Bell. Also can define the smell of a pussy.
Do you want to go to Taco Smell, Barfy’s}, {Hardon's}, or {Pizza Slut?
by andy1 May 14, 2005

Google Groups: rec.humor
Newsgroups: rec.humor
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (David_Moursund)
Date: 6 Sep 90 22:14:14 GMT
Local: Thurs, Sep 6 1990 5:14 pm
Subject: Re: Beer and Startrek

Taco Smell?
Booger King?
WackDonalds?

Google Groups: rec.humor
Newsgroups: rec.humor
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Rawhide)
Date: 10 Oct 90 01:24:03 GMT
Local: Tues, Oct 9 1990 8:24 pm
Subject: Re: Foodonyms

>Taco Smell = Taco Bell

Taco Hell = Taco Bell
(ever eat there?? You’re in hell by the time your food arrives!)

Google Groups: alt.appalachian
Newsgroups: alt.appalachian
From: Gypsy
Date: 1996/09/16
Subject: Re: Fast Food Nicknames

That’s “Taco Smell” here in MD.

Google Books
From Abba to Zoom:
A pop culture encyclopedia of the late 20th century
By David Mansour
Kansas City, MO: Andrews McMeel Pub.
2005
Pg. 477:
Also known as Taco Hell and Taco Smell.