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tesg's guide to big chain road food consumption
CHAIN -- Amigos The Amigos in York, Nebraska was a "2-in-1" restaurant that operated as both an Amigos and an A&W. That's probably what kept them in business while competing with Taco Bell (in another 2-in-1 with KFC) next door. When I visited, Taco John's was building just up the road. I had seen it and other Amigo's throughout Nebraska over the years, but 30-May-2002 was the day I decided to try them out. So I go in and glance over the menu. It looks a lot like Taco Time. They have identical tater tots ("Mexican Fries"), crisp burritos, some platters. Then I do a sudden and silent "Woo-Hoo!" when I see they have limeades. So I order a Strawberry Limeade. The girl at the counter doesn't know how to make them, so she shouts at some guy in the drive-thru area. He appears to be a mid-to-later aged farmer who really doesn't want to be here. He says with much disdain "Fill this cup with ice to here, put in four limes (slices, not whole limes), the strawberry, then Sierra Mist." She's confused, he has little patience so he asks me with the same disdain "What else did you want?" I tell him she's rung up the rest. He totals it out ($5.60) and I hand him $21 (so I won't get a bunch of $1 bills back). He looks frustrated at me about the money. "Take it out of 21?" he asks. "Yes". meanwhile, the girl attempting to make my Limeade keeps bugging him. "Is this right?" "What do I do next?" Once the transaction is completed, he disappears back to the drive-thru. The Limeade arrives, and it is fabulous. The food is brought to the table. They ask for your name. This doesn't help if the person bringing the food didn't ring up the order. So I hear a whispered conversation from the counter that ends in "He has the short hair." The girl walks back with my order, right past me, stops, turns, and whispers "Sam?" Limeade aside, I got two tacos and a "Grande Burrito". The tacos only emphasized the Taco Time comparison...the taste of the meat was pretty close to Taco Time's. The difference is that it was more like a Taco Bell portion. Skimpy skimpy skimpy. The Grande Burrito was: beef, beans, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and tater tots. It was very plain tasting. It was decent food priced pretty average, but nothing really special. I can see why they work in smaller towns. I can also see why they're disappearing. With Taco Bell now next door and Taco John's building up the road, it was only a matter of time for this location. It was gone in 2004. Remaining locations have since replaced A&W co-branding with "King's Classic Hamburgers", and apparently one location is also throwing Winchell's doughnuts into the mix. Beats me. Click here to return to tesg's guide to big chain road food consumption |
