Rare Missionstyle Taco Bell in Bay Area to shut down after nearly 60 years
Jan 12, 2026
LAFAYETTE, Calif. (KRON) -- After nearly six decades, the Taco Bell on Mount Diablo Boulevard in Lafayette is closing Tuesday. People who grew up there say they're saddened to see the iconic and rare Mission-style location go.
KRON4 spoke with a 70-year-old man who says this used to be a vacant lot
. When he was in elementary school, this Mission-style building filled the void, and a Taco Bell opened. The man says back then tacos were only 25 cents, and while prices have certainly gone up, it's remained a staple ever since.
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Word of the closure spread quickly. Some showed up for dinner Monday -- unaware it would be their last at this location.
City officials believe that Taco Bell opened around 1968.
The Lafayette Historical Society posted about the closure by sharing this photo from the 1973 Campolindo High School yearbook.
Courtesy of Mark Harrigan
It shows the original bell hanging above the entrance. While the bell is gone, the building remains one of the last standing original Mission-style Taco Bells.
Those who grew up here say its irreplacable.
Employees say the Taco Bell will close on Tuesday, Jan. 13. KRON4 reached out to the owners to ask about the reason for the closure, but we did not hear back in time for this report. No word yet about what's next for this location.
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