Del Taco restaurant will open today on Milton Avenue

i pull up to the drive thru at taco bell on west court street, and she says, i have no beef or nacho cheese. i just sat and laughed, i couldnt even get rude with her she was so nice. but i thought how pitiful is this. lol

WTF is up w/ the Taco Bell on W. Court St.?! They're either OUT of food completely or lacking in other areas of their speciality?? (Is it just me or...lol! ;)

bummer on the "no Rocky's"

ACEJD93
You are so right on the mom and pop places going away. I own one in Janesville and because Best Buy or Walmart have a product for 2 dollars less, people go there. Then when service is needed, guess where they come! Yep you guessed it, right here to the mom and pop shop because all big box stores have "Customer No Service". Oh, and thank goodness for Dell and their internet sales because our repair department has many many of those to fix daily!!

Not good food at all. A big disappointment. We need a steakhouse in town. Like a outback or something that isn't as loud as Texas Roadhouse or Prime Quarter. Like a campis.

Should have opened on sinco de mayo

As to the rocky rococos fans... we in janesville were very close to getting a rockys in the same developement as Del Tacos.. This is factual information as I was going to be part owner.. My parents own one that is doing quite well. Unfortunatly with GMs issues we are choosing a new location. Also a key factor was the high prices of properties/leases. We are not the first to prospect janesville for a Rockys, another gentleman had put intrest in janesville but decided the risk wasn't worth the potential reward and pulled out at the last minute. I believe he is looking in Rockford. Hopefully after Janesville rebounds after the GM dilema and the South/west side grows We can reconsider.. but for the time being Janesville is on the back burner. Oh and a side note about Qdoba franchise, they have pretty expensive franchise fees and are very picky about location.. usually sticking to college towns and major cities..

And for the topic... Del Taco good luck!

What is going in where Shakey's scarf, and barf was?

I haven't been there yet. I think it goes without saying that when a business first opens, there are going to be "hitches in the giddy-up" until the staff has a better grip on the traffic patterns and the needs of the customers. My son went there and he had no issues, but said the same thing. They just opened. Give them a break or wait and go there after things settle down a little. If you go there expecting perfection and only have 20 minutes, I am sure you will probably be disappointed, but that is as much your fault as the restaurant's.

Patience is a virtue.

My previous comment was: Don’t go to Del-taco
I was waited on by a woman of ample size who had a major altitude problem. I waited in the drive though for 15mins when I was the only one there. The burrito was size of a small broomstick handle, and I got all this for only 6bucks. Just a warning for anything thinking of going there

ms sassy- if you like gyros- you should go in and get one. it is more of a to go place- theyre like the real stuff. I think they have been serving food for over a year now. I dont particually like the five points area but I can handle it for 10 minutes while I wait for my food

lukes- yes garlic turkey wrap YUM. and a good deal for LARGE wrap

Forget Del Taco, Janesville NEEDS a Jack-In-The-Box. Now that's tasty. NOT!!

what's the deal with the "restaurant" in 5-points gas station? "We're not servin the menu up there yet. sorry" posted on EVERY menu screen...They've been like that for MONTHS. Not that I will ever order anything from there, but it sure is a bad sign of another business going under before it even starts up...just a random thought

ssbucklin, i have never had a better gyro than at the Parthenon on State St. in Madison. I must say the little gyro place down at 5 points is very tasty though!

How about Luke's in Janesville. Very good sandwiches and soups. And it's locally owned. Support the local guys first.

Janesville is a steak and potatoes kind of town. It's been fun to think about Jville getting a White Castle. Keep the jokes coming. A bag of hot sliders would be great about now. I think they'd go over well here once people caught on. But what we really need is for the folks who operate the Mediteranean Cafe on State street to open up here! Great inexpensive food. I was up there on Tuesday and there were students and working people lined up out the door. Of course Janesville is not diverse thinking enough to support that type of food. I'll stop by whenever I can in Madison. Oh, and how about a good Gyros place like Parthenon in Madison???

For all the Del Taco fans, a free taco from Del Taco. They will email the coupon for you to print and take into the restaurant for a free taco.

http://www.deltaco.com/page65.html

newswacko:
You’re dead on with the Whitewater Pier recommendation. It’s small, a little quirky, but you’ll never find a place with better, more attentive service, and the food is excellent. The store is a great place to pick place to pick up salmon, trout, &c. If you don’t see what you like, they can probably get it for you with a little advance notice. Very highly recommended!

Gazette Staff: I was stating fact about the restaurant mentioned. Please take a moment to review health records and work done without permits. It's sort of scary what some restaurants can get away with while other local joints are on the up and up.

If you want good local flavor, Milton has more per capita than Janesville. I stumbled across a great seafood place... Whitewater Pier. Not a huge place and definitely not upscale, but the menu is diverse and the food is excellent. Not only is the wait staff incredibly friendly, but the night we were there, the waiter actually sung a variety of ethnic folk songs as he served. Very unique and quirky place... Also, there is a fish market attached to it to. Good selection!

OMG!! Greasy Steve's Pizza!! That's a blast from the past! I can't believe it's still open. I haven't had pizza there in almost 14 years. Thank you tjncj and MajorMojo for a trip down memory lane.......

Ummmmm, countrygrl and localmatters,
I know gazettefan isn't around right now, but I'm pretty sure he was pulling your leg.

Ack!! Do yourself a favor and do not eat at the Sizzlin Grill!

Major-Steves Pizza? Have you been there lately? It has a bar and you still get one sausage per piece.

How about the land of mint and honey in east dubuque?

how about some Steve's greasy sliders from Plattville?

They opened one in Madison.

http://www.tiltedkilt.com/madison/madiso...

Oh, and the foods good too!

Hooters, hah. Travel to Green Bay and check out "The Tilted Kilt"

northman- i agree about hooters-
the fried fish sandwich i had once was huge and yummy. I think they are very tasteful in how they act in their skimpy clothes. and your right I have seen worse from 13 year old girls flaunting themselves in the mall

As this has turned into a general purpose Janesville food blog, I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Hooters. Hands down, the best wings in the world. And the buffalo shrimp (“hot” of course), ahhhh, simply heaven! Don’t even start in about the waitresses and skimpy outfits, they’re downright demure by beach or pool standards, and the place is surprisingly kid-friendly.

j-grad, not sure if you're serious about Anne Murray, but if you are, give her a happy hello from the states. No more about her.

I'm surprized no one's mentioning Boog Trotters (Wedges) re: fish fry.

El Jardin is the only mexican restaurant I eat at in this area.

And again, for good old fashion pre-McDonalds diner food, eat at the Sizzlin Grill.

g-man,
I've already told you I live about 10 miles from Anne Murray and we get together every day for poutine El Grandes.

My dream is to share a big bowl of poutine with Anne Murray.

Northman,
gazettefan throws (pun intended) poutine into any blog now :-P
I agree with you that it is a quadruple by-pass on a plate.

I’m not sure how Poutine (pronounced pooh-ten) wandered into this thread, it’s not a Mexican dish. It’s a Quebec concoction, though it’s widely available throughout Canada. One serving a week can harden your arteries inside of a month. Nasty stuff, and not really that tasty. Stick with chips (fries) and gravy, it’s very addictive and can convince you give up catsup. It is also a bit hard on the arteries, though.

GOOD FISH FRY???? Try Hackbarth Hills on County E (city 14) they only serve oct-april (they are done for the summer) but the best batter ever....Did you know there's a bar there now too?? NO smoking, which is great for me!

Juro fidelidad a la bandera
de los Estados Unidos de América,
y a la república que representa
una nación bajo Poutine,
indivisible cón libertad
y justicía para todós.

And then, j-grad, after each serving of poutine is carefully prepared, it is en mass deep-fried for extra measure. Then the whole glop is impaled on a stick for easy eatin' at the county fair.

If it ever catches on here, there should be a law passed banning any SOY versions of this dish.

I think ms...sassy said earlier that she's not interested in poutine. If this is true, maybe I'll have to modify my belief that all pot heads always get the munchies.

and people wonder why Wisconsin has the highest obesity rates...seems all we can talk about is food.

All other topics seem to start a civil war...and Whaz so civil 'bout war anyway (thanks, G 'n R...)

For fish fry, if it's not too far a drive, Norm's in Busseyville is awesome. Also, Kemler's Lamp off 106 in Fort has the best cajun grilled cod...it's a spicy-lover's paradise! (Both Norm's and the Lamp are on Lake Koshkonong). Road Dawg's by the Interstate (used to be Country Kitchen)had fairly decent fish (great burgers too). The Showboat in Indianford used to have the best fish fry but I can't stand Bubba so I don't go there anymore.

Just what we need, another Mexican restaurant. Mabee they'll hold spanish lessons once a week so we can start to learn before the USA becomes a territory of Mexico! We know the big business owners want to pay us like we're from somewhere else (N.A.F.T.A.)! Take a trip to your mom & pop places because they'll soon be a thing of the past like drive-ins and the family pack at Geri's hamburgers!

hahahahahahaha g-fan, that's a good one.
I never understood why people from Wisconsin wouldn't like poutine. It is french fries, topped with cheese curds and chicken gravy. It really isn't bad, especially with the gooey cheese on it! Hmmmmmm, maybe I can start a chain of McPoutines in Wisconsin.
As for good Mexican food, I lived in San Antonio for a year, and I have yet to find a good egg and sausage tortilla for breakfast anywhere else. It was a good way to get your eyes open in the morning! And the real Mexican food places there where the menus were printed only in Spanish. Yum yum!

Qnitin66:

MCD never owned a majority stake in CMG (Chipotle). MCD provided much need venture capital ~1995 when CMG went through their initial expansion. MCD has been out since 2006. The investment paid off very well. If this info is on Wiki-it would not surprise me.

What's everyone think of Boogie Trotters? Fish fry etc. (Used to be Wedges.)

twerp13
perch or blue gills cant remember which at MY APartment.

Randys in white water
watering hole is good too

i am sure their are others just what iknow

gazette fan and belisamasana

their margs are very good except if happy hour specail- i noticed less booze if the special mags

danias- we had rocky rococo- they left. i dont understand why- good pizza. was in the culvers on milton av

What about a McPoutine?

Rumor has it that the bids are out for putting up a BW3 (Buffalo Wild Wings) over by the old Walmart. I am sure the city will give them issues with their liquor license amd who know what else. I won't be holding my breath...

Who eats Burritos for breakfast? Try Cheerios, I'm owering my cholesterol.

I had del taco this morning and it was the worst barrito I have ever had. The refried beans on it were completely cold and the rice was way undercooked (it was totally hard and crunchy). I ended up throwing it away. Never again for me.

In the past, McDonald's Corporation owned a majority interest in Chipotle. McDonald's has since sold their entire stake in Chipotle (borrowed from Wikipedia) interestingly enough Qdoba is owned by Jack-in-the-Box the king of e-coli.

Chipotle is owed by McDonald's so email them if you want them to come to town.
I contacted Qdoba last month and they said there was no franchises available for Rock County.
I tried People.
In'N'Out Burger would great, but they are also Family owed on the West Coast.

the white oak bar in janesville has good fish.. along with "My Apartment" which is right across from the old run down hardees building. Also to I had Del Taco last night and my 2 friends said they would compare it to taco johns... they weren't overly impressed and would rather have taco bell. my taco salad wasn't too bad.. except the fact that they forgot my fork! and all the employees just kept looking at us.. it was kind of odd.. but like someone mentioned give it a month.. i know i'll try it again some time down the road.

Milwaukee grill.

I've been wondering the same thing about a good place for fish. Fort has North Shore and Whitewater has Randy's and Cold Spring. I have yet to find anywhere in Janesville that is as good as these places. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

As long as we are talking food. Where is a good place to go for fish fry any more?? I use to love going to Krauses Town & Country Years and years ago(back when they served soda in small glass bottles) But I haven't found a really good fish fry lately.
Any suggestions?

I would also like to have a Red Lobster come back here. Although I am not much of a fan for how they run a business. They left because of major financial problem within the company. The JAnesville store was a profit maker for them,but they chose to shut it down anyways. I remember my sister ws working there and they all came in for a meeting. They were suposed to be talking about the new lobster fest special that was going to start, instead they were told that they were closed permenatly and to go home.Now that was a horrible way to treat your employees.

Huevos con Chorizo, perfect at El Jardin.

Great Margaritas too.

Give Del Taco a break. They just opened and efficiency doesn't happen overnight. Go back in a month and you can judge it then.

El Jardin.....yummm! My husband and I try to go every week. They have the best regular margaritas on the rocks and the happy hour price is $2.75 for a 17 ounce drink. The guy who I think is the manager has the best laugh and super personality. I always get something I can't pronounce and I sure can't spell it, but it's steak with peppers, onions, cactus and the melted cheese and the corn tortillas.....I'm getting hungry now ;) I love that place!

Went to the new Del Taco yucky! Mess up the order ask for sour cream was charge and didn't get it oh'well burrito was gross my dog won't eat it either hmmm.. Why can't we get a rocky roccos or Red Lobster hell long john silvers would be better than another gross mexican resturant the only one that is any good is El Jardin..

Red Lobster had to stop the all-you-can-heat thing in Chicago because the stoners started going there.

I'll have a look at the White Castle site. I wonder what kind of feedback they'd respect for consideration for a franchise.

Kenosha has a White Castle.

intheloop, i think it was in the world buffet building. there was also a homecooking restaurant there cant remember the name.It was pretty good.RJ wheelers remember now

Does anyone remember when long john silver(when is was actually a rest- not fast food like now) was in the old first federal bank location. Now it is Fudge place

Wow-Jackson didn't rip on GM!

The only time I've ever seen a White Castle was in Chicago. I did not eat there...I was a little scared.

And you guys talk about not having any "quality restaurants." I live in Whitewater...talk about only fast food. I'd kill for something better than a Culvers!

Although he’d have my vote, unfortunately gazettefan *can’t* open a White Castle franchise:

“Unlike other fast food corporations like McDonald's or Taco Bell, you can't purchase a White Castle franchise in the US. The fast food restaurant chain is family-owned, and its parent company (White Castle System) maintains strict control over its restaurant operations in the 10 states they're located in. The few White Castle franchise opportunities are located internationally, which makes it difficult for someone in the US to enter the market.”

Maybe if we all wrote to WC headquarters, they might take a look at Janesville. Just bulldoze the Del Taco and put it there, you’d get tons of traffic off of I-90. Put up a big billboard for all the Chicago vacation traffic, “Last chance for sliders . . . Exit Now!”

Yes, intheloop-I think mid-80's. Yumm.
mommyopes: I will try that for sure. It’s not even far from me, and I never have been there. It’s funny-actually sad-that when I travel, I like the “safety” of chains-no scary surprises to budget or menu. But when I’m home I go to the same 3-4 places-probably for the same reasons, and because it seems-even on a relaxing night out-my time seems too limited to “experiment” with a new place. So I appreciate good tips like that. On the other hand, I like to experiment by attempting to reproduce some of the foods I’ve been introduced to when I do find something new. Whoever on here talked about being too cheap to want to spend over $5-that’s probably me (except make that $10-$15). But, I DO (or tell the tipper to) tip well, having made my living that way once upon a time. I believe most servers make about 1/2 minimum wage-but if they made minimum or more and tipping was unheard of-we'd pay a lot more for the food.

Red Lobster was where the asian place is, I remember going there a few times. It had alot of customers. There is some problem with the company that owns that build because several place have been there, and done well for few years, and then one day close. I think it is the owners crank the rent after a place gets off the ground which drives them away. Right now it looks as they have changed there tune with world buffet.

Actually if I remember correctly, we did have Red Lobster in Janesville for a year or so but it didn't get the business and shut down. It was on Milton Ave around the Toys R Us and Ground Round area.

I think gazettefan should open a White Castle franchise!

All in favor? say "aye"

AYE

Ahhh the good ol days in Columbus Ohio...there was NOTHING like a bag of sliders after a night of drinking...and the guys would all order "chin slappers" otherwise known as onion rings...they called them that because they couldn't wait to start eating them until we got home, and they were obviously still too hot to eat and the onions would um...slap their chins...ahh the memories.

Mommyopes - Stagecoach has the best EVERYTHING. I've never had a bad meal there. Prime rib is phenominal.

Plus, it's locally owned.

RUserious-If you are looking for GREAT lobster, try Stagecoach between Milton and Jefferson. After having it there I will not eat lobster anywhere else.

I drove by Sam's yesterday. That window is more cracked than ever. Maybe I'll write him a letter.

You've never heard of Cincinati Skyline Chile. They have it cans at the Sentry on Court.

weeds, you say too many Mexican restaurants, then ask for a Chili's-isn't Chili's Mexican or Tex-Mex? Just wondering-I've never been. Anyway, the same food from different "cooks" can be like a whole new menu. So, since it's close to me, I'll try Del Taco.
Although it's a chain, I'd like the return of a Red Lobster to the area. I'd also like something I've never even heard of yet. Whatever it is.

We had Del Taco for an office lunch yesterday. I will not be eating there again! Yuck!

Good point, TCB.

To those of you who complain about a lack of fast food dinning options (ie no Chilis, no Chipotle, no White castle, etc)-If you believe the local market can support these establishments-why dont you invest in a developing a franchise?

A Cinncinati Skyline Chile place in town would be great.

El Jardin's food is great. El Jardin is one of the best restaurants in town -of any style.

What about that White Castle?

So what do we have now? About 1/2 dozen Mexican places all within a few miles of each other. Nothing like good 'ole Janesville variety.

Could we ever get a Chili's or a TGI Fridays? Not a chance, that would make too much sense.

Yes, the taco vender by the library has good stuff. Just remember you don't eat atmosphere; it is mainly a grocery store. They also make great gaucomole to buy for home use.

hannah El Jardin sucks. My wife who is from Mexico even agrees. El Jardins food is bland, Mexican food need a kick. El chappal is way better. Actually if you want some good Mexican food go to one of the small mexican grocery stores stores (especially the one over by library)and you'll get some really good carne asada tacos. Get the red sauce it hotter then the green.

I've read one comment from one reader who has actaully eaten at Del Taco today. I'm excited to eat there for lunch tomorrow. Everyone else, lets continue to complain about why economic development is stupid.

Red Lobster would be great except I'd get even fatter.

aparentwhocares: I worked at Chrysler as a part timer in chassis and I can vouch for how hard those people work. There are times I wondered if it was even worth the good pay that came with it. GM, Chrysler, and Ford have come a lone way since the 80's and 90's, yet some people still have it stuck in their heads that everyone sits around all day and collects money.

What kind of god would allow pablo to make a remark like that!!!

Tried to get a life but couldn't afford it.

LMAO, pablo! What INSIGHT!

A life would be great. I looked at Wal-Mart for one, but they apparently were all sold out. I will check Target next....

Have a great night.

Maybe we all, myself included should get a life. At the time of my post 49 comments on a taco place opening. Get a life people

I would rather have a Red Lobster,or a TGI
Fridays. I`m sick of tacos

Who says gm or chrysler employees dont work hard my husband works a chrysler and comes home having worked his a** off on a fast paced line.... ya the pay maybe good but if there are no jobs around here that make a good wage like that soon the $10 dollar jobs will be $7.00 jobs becouse theese jobs keep the economie going if thoose people cant spend money where people make less wages soon thoose place will also lay their workers off and will all be sitting are but on unemployment line

Since we are somewhat on the subject of new businesses here, can someone bring me up to date with the big empty space next to Hobby Lobby? Wasn't Borders supposed to be going in? Maybe they backed out too?

gazettefan- twice baked. bake the potatoe. then empty it and add ( sorry cant remember must have been the you know what from long ago :-)milk , butter , spices and whip. then pump back into the skin and bake again.

maybe refried because you have to cook the pinto beans awhile. then you smush them up and cook again.

At sergios they would put lbs and lbs and lbs into this HUGE 4'3'cooker thing for awhile again my memory. and then beat them till smooth put in cooler. then to steamtable for serving- some went threw the oven on combo plate orders

mymaro- olivegarden meals are about $ 15 ish. and equal to 3 meals. so math tells me $5 each

dvlwmn-"Texas Rdhouse Busy "

because theyre treating themselves and no wont go anywhere else for a month. And steak isnt weird(ex salmon herd crusted with risotto) it is just steak

upnorthwi

you are correct. i think its the boomer that think this mostly and their kids that also wont change. and the old folks are tight wads too.

my parents think Country Buffet rocks - ICK- I try to get them to eat somewhere different like Fusion 5 for Dinner- they thought to expensive and are going to go there for 2 lunches instead and are afraid to go downtown at night. GET OUT OF YOUR SHELL. so anyway the go for lunch and she order a TUNa sandwich!!! Wont try anything new

Long_Time_Gone- cherrys ruined my taste buds last time i went. I ordered a Filet rare. She served me a NY and insisted it was a filet. I said a filet is tender and not as much flavor THIS IS NOT a filet. She kept arguing with me that it was. They dont even LOOK the same. It was also seasoned to death.

blogger if you love "El Chapala" by shopko. something is wrong with your taste buds. i tried when they opened YUK. you need to try el jardin on center av. and yes the one by home d is good too. I like la esquinita too. If you havent tried these you must. Theyll put Chapala to shame

OK,sannio, explain twice-baked potatos to me.

Chipotle would have been my pick. They have great (if not the best ) burritos for a great price.

?Refrito frijoles?

gazette fan- nice joke...that gave me a little chuckle

It is ironic that the Del Taco restaurant in Rockford is closed already. Must have been the bad location on Hy 173 between Home Depot and the new Menard's store in Machesny Park.

dvlwmn13, dont forget olive garden. That place is ALWAYS packed. and i dont see anything on the menu for less than 5 dollars. and to those complaining about another taco joint. DEAL WITH IT! at least they were willing to come to janesville. evidently those other places you want dont want to come here. Its not like those that run this city can just say "lets put a Qdoba(or whatever) by the new menards. Call them up and tell them theyre building a new restaurant here."

Beans aren't refried, they're refrito, meaning really fried, although, I'm pretty sure Fritos® are pretty well fried, too, judging by their wonderful crunchiness. Of course, this has nothing to do with the Del Taco story.

Why do mexican beans have to be refried? What always goes wrong the first time?

upnorthwi- if jvl residentsare so cheap how do you explain Texas Rdhouse Busy almost everynight? I went to ChiChi's all the time when they were open and I thought the quality of their food as pretty good. I grew up in CA and Del Taco was one of my Favs so I am glad that they are here.

The good restaurants don't last in Janesville because people in Jville are cheap! Before now the city had a great economy and they don't want to pay over $5 for a dinner unless you get free refills or if it's a buffet. That and the fact that the same place could open here as in Madison (Chichi's for example) and the quality wasn't as good. We drove to Madison often if we wanted a really good meal.

I think you can find wood fired pizza at Finn's in Newville.

I think this is a time to remind the city of Janesville if you don't want the big chains, support your small mom and pop establishments. We still have plenty; and with the economy and food costs they could use the business. They have legacy and drive to offer this town as long as they can.

mmmmm Tacos

Anyone ever had a wood-fired pizza?

What if Janesville had a wood-fired pizza joint and served traditional Italian fare?

Any takers?

I LOVE TOCOS!!!!