An original 1st generation architecture Taco Bell restaurant. AlsipIllinois. Febuary 1986. ( gone.)

An original 1st generation architecture Taco Bell restaurant. Alsip Illinois. Febuary 1986. ( gone.)


Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
It's just amazing how things have changed so much around Chicago since I began taking 35MM photos during the early 1980's. It's even more amazing how many small business chains have came and went as well. This photo is a prime example of that.

I took this photo on a Febuary 1986 visit, to the south suburban village of Alsip Illinois. Alsip was a favorite destination for Me during the 1980's by CTA bus or My own Bicycle, as I did not own My first car just yet. We are on the west side of South Pulaski Road, just south of the intersection of West 115th Street. In the foreground, we see the original Taco Bell fast food take out restaurant, with the original small Taco Bell architecture in the style of a Spanish Mission style building from Mexico. Within a few years, Taco Bell would upgrade by building newer and sometimes larger restaurants with modern corporate architecture. many of the old Taco Bell laces were closed , phased out or demolished to make way for the new image
corporate restaurants. Some of the old Taco Bell buildings with their unique archtecture, went on to become Travel Agencys, Hot Dog stands,Cell Phone stores, Real Estate and Insurance agenys, or even Florist shops.

Behind the origianl Taco Bell store, We see a short lived Chicago area Doughnut store chain known as "Winchell's Donuts". Winchell's Doughnuts were primarily located on Chicago's southwest side, and were out of business before the end of the 1980's.
The old Winchell's Donuts at South Kedzie Avenue and west 58th Street, is now a Greek owned fast food chain store known as Nicky's Gyros.

Farther in the background at the intersection of South Pulaski Road and West 115th Street, We see a Texaco Gasoline Service Station. Texaco decided to leave Illinois in April of 1986, and this station would soon become part of a local Ford dealership.

My how the times have changed around Chicago since then.

Thank You.
Eddie K.