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Wine and tapas? Taco Bell to serve them in Chicago

This promotional image provided by Taco Bell shows some of the alcoholic beverages the fast food chain says it will soon be offering at a location in Chicago. Another location in San Francisco will have beer and wine, but no mixed drinks. The restaurant design is called “Taco Bell Cantina” and features an open kitchen and a menu of “tapas-style” appetizers in the evening. (Taco Bell via AP)
This promotional image provided by Taco Bell shows some of the alcoholic beverages the fast food chain says it will soon be offering at a location in Chicago. Another location in San Francisco will have beer and wine, but no mixed drinks. The restaurant design is called “Taco Bell Cantina” and features an open kitchen and a menu of “tapas-style” appetizers in the evening. (Taco Bell via AP)

By Associated Press 3 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Yo quiero a glass of wine and tapas?

Taco Bell will open a location that serves wine, beer, sangria and frozen mixed drinks in Chicago next week, marking the first time the chain will serve alcohol in the United States. The new restaurant will also feature a variety of trends the chain says it is seeing among millennials: a menu of “tapas-style” appetizers, a mural by a local artist and an open kitchen.

“You will literally be able to see the food,” said Meredith Sandland, Taco Bell’s chief development officer. “(Customers will be) able to see all the beautiful ingredients.”

A similar location will open in San Francisco later this month, according to Taco Bell, which is owned by Yum Brands Inc. Aside from the alcohol and group appetizers, Taco Bell says the menu and food preparation will be the same as regular locations.

The plans for the Chicago location were announced earlier this summer, although an exact opening date and other details weren’t disclosed at the time. It is just the latest evidence that traditional fast-food chains are trying to revamp their images to be more in line with changing expectations.