The Downtown Taco Bell Cantina is Back on Track

Dormant since revealing its downtown expansion last September, Taco Bell Cantina recently filed paperwork to remodel the historic former home of the El Portal Theatre, filling a smaller footprint that previously announced.

Located under the Fremont Street Experience canopy, the new permit applications call for a 4747-square-foot restaurant, down 20 percent from the original 6,000-square-foot concept, and moving into a 16,564-square-foot building.

Currently, no permits have been issued for any other tenants within the 90-year-old structure.

Last year, Taco Bell promised the cantina would create an “indoor-outdoor dining” experience, with an open kitchen and an illuminated escalator to zip guests to the second floor patio.

The original cantina at the Strip’s Harmon Corner is now the brand’s “busiest location,” open 24 hours and upgraded with alcohol options including chilled “Twisted Freezes,” a retail section, special menu items and the opportunity to say “I do” inside the second floor wedding chapel.

Downtown, Taco Bell has yet to update a possible opening date, opening hours, or interior design.

• A Taco Bell Cantina Is Headed Downtown [ELV]

• All Coverage of Eater Tracking [ELV]