Taco Bells announced that booze will be served in its soon-to-be-opened Wicker Park location in Chicago.
The alcoholic beverages served will include beer, wine, and “freezes,” a
Taco Bell representative told the Chicago Tribune.
Alcoholic drinks will be served to customers eating in the restaurant in cups designed differently from those meant for nonalcoholic beverages, in order to make it easy to spot if someone tries to leave with one, according to the newspaper.
Additionally, a third-party secret shopper service will be hired to watch
alcohol sales, according to The Associated Press.
The Chicago Eater announced last month the owner of the Wicker Park franchisee had applied for a liquor license.
The Chicago location will also be getting makeover in the style that has already been launched in restaurants in Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Featuring wooden stools, an open kitchen, and exposed brick wall, the new style urbanizes the atmosphere.
The location “will highlight the work of local artists,” a representative told the AP.
Bursts of purple, teal, and lime green are found throughout the rendered design of the revamped space.
Taco Bell joins other quick-meal restaurants like Wendy’s in shedding the fast-food feel of its cafeterias in an attempt to appeal to millennials who prefer “authentic” hangouts.
The Mexican inspired franchise announced last month it would no longer use artificial flavors and colors in its food by the end of the year with the exemption of co-branded products, such as the Doritos Locos tacos.
Plans to offer boozy milkshakes at Taco Bell’s upscale restaurant U.S. Taco Co. were postponed in May of 2014 due to difficulty in obtaining a liquor license in
Huntington Beach, California, according to Bloomberg.
While alcoholic beverages are served in Japan, South Korea, and Spain, Taco Bell representative Ashley Sioson told the AP there are no plans to bring the 21-and-up drinks to other U.S. locations.
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