Original Del Taco in Barstow: Locations, Menu & History
Original Del Taco refers to the three independently operated Del Taco restaurants in Barstow, California, which retain ties to founder Ed Hackbarth and are known for serving a menu that differs from the national Del Taco chain. They are a popular road-trip stop for travelers heading from Southern California toward Las Vegas, the Colorado River and other desert destinations.
Quick answer: There are three Original Del Taco locations in Barstow: Lenwood Road, East Mountain View Street and North First Avenue.
Locations | What Makes Them Different | Menu | History | FAQ
For more Del Taco-related content, see our Del Taco secret menu and hacks.
Original Del Taco Barstow Locations
Last verified September 2026. Hours, menu items and prices can change; check Original Del Taco before making a special trip.
| Location | Hours shown by national Del Taco locator | Phone shown by national locator |
|---|---|---|
| 2871 Lenwood Rd Barstow, CA 92311 | Daily 6:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. | (760) 253-2641 |
| 1310 E Mountain View St Barstow, CA 92311 | Daily 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. | (760) 256-8226 |
| 401 N First Ave Barstow, CA 92311 | Daily 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. | (760) 256-2810 |
Important: Original Del Taco's own website currently publishes different phone numbers and hours for Lenwood Road and First Avenue, and its Lenwood listing says 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., which appears inconsistent with the national locator's midnight closing time. Its First Avenue page also currently shows morning-only closing times. Because the two official sources conflict, verify the location directly before making a special stop.
Official links: Original Del Taco website | Original Del Taco locations | Instagram | Facebook
What Makes Original Del Taco in Barstow Different?
The three Barstow restaurants are separate from the broader national Del Taco operation and have continued to preserve menu items and traditions associated with the earlier Del Taco restaurants. Rather than treating one version as objectively better, the appeal is the chance to compare the Barstow experience with a regular Del Taco.
The Barstow Taco
The Barstow Taco is one of the signature reasons people stop here. The version photographed and described for this article uses a crisp taco shell, seasoned beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese and a slice of tomato rather than the diced-tomato presentation commonly associated with the chain's standard Del Taco.
Other Distinctive Menu Items
Items shown on the Barstow menu photographed for this article include the Bun Taco, tostada, Spicy Jack Quesadilla, crinkle-cut fries, burgers, shakes and desserts. Menu availability can change, so confirm current offerings before visiting.
On our visit, the restaurants also stood out for their old-school Del Taco interiors and historic photos. Individual service and food experiences can vary by visit.
Original Del Taco vs. Regular Del Taco
| Feature | Original Del Taco - Barstow | National Del Taco Chain |
|---|---|---|
| Locations | 3 Barstow restaurants | Hundreds of locations across multiple states |
| Operation | Separately operated Barstow restaurants tied to founder Ed Hackbarth | National Del Taco system |
| Menu | Includes legacy-style items and Barstow-specific offerings | Standard national menu plus regional/limited-time items |
| Barstow Taco | Signature Barstow item | Not the standard chain presentation |
| Experience | Historic, old-school Del Taco atmosphere | Modern chain experience varies by location |
Original Del Taco Menu
The menu photo above dates to 2022 and should be treated as a historical snapshot rather than a guaranteed current menu. Instead of maintaining a full item-by-item transcription that can quickly become outdated, these are the distinctive items most worth checking for when you visit:
- Barstow Taco
- Bun Taco
- Tostada
- Spicy Jack Quesadilla
- Crinkle-Cut Fries
- Del-style burgers
- Shakes and desserts
What Should You Order?
If it's your first visit, start with the Barstow Taco and add one or two legacy-style items you don't normally order at a standard Del Taco, such as a Bun Taco or Spicy Jack Quesadilla if they are available. Fries and a shake make it an easy road-trip meal.
Del Taco History: 1961 or 1964?
The two official Del Taco histories give different dates for the beginning of the brand, so this page does not treat either date as undisputed.
Original Del Taco's history says Ed Hackbarth founded Del Taco in Yermo in 1961 and gives the first restaurant address as 38434 W. Yermo Road, Yermo. It says Hackbarth partnered with David Jameson in 1964 and began franchising.
Del Taco's corporate history says Hackbarth and Jameson opened the first Del Taco in Yermo in 1964. Corporate history says the original menu included 19-cent tacos and tostadas, fries and 24-cent cheeseburgers and that the restaurant took in $169 on its first day.
Original Del Taco says Hackbarth and Jameson sold the chain in 1976 when it had about 50 stores, while Hackbarth retained rights connected with the Barstow restaurants. In 1988, Del Taco merged with the Naugles restaurant chain.
Jack in the Box completed its acquisition of Del Taco Restaurants in March 2022 for approximately $585 million. The three Original Del Taco restaurants in Barstow continued to operate separately from the broader national chain.
Which Original Del Taco Is Best for a Vegas Road Trip?
For travelers using I-15 between Southern California and Las Vegas, the Lenwood Road location is the most freeway-oriented stop. The First Avenue restaurant has more historical interest for visitors specifically seeking the older Barstow Del Taco experience. Always confirm current hours before choosing your stop.
Pair the stop with our roadside attractions on the way to Las Vegas guide. If you have extra time around Barstow, Calico Ghost Town is another nearby road-trip attraction.
Sources & Historical Note
Because Original Del Taco and the national Del Taco company publish conflicting historical dates, phone numbers and some location hours, this article identifies those discrepancies rather than silently choosing one official version. For the latest operational information, check both the Original Del Taco website and the national Del Taco location pages before traveling.
Original Del Taco FAQ
Where is the original Del Taco?
The historical first Del Taco was in Yermo, California. Original Del Taco's history gives the address as 38434 W. Yermo Road. That restaurant is not the same as the three Original Del Taco restaurants operating in Barstow today.
How many Original Del Taco locations are in Barstow?
There are three: 2871 Lenwood Road, 1310 E. Mountain View Street and 401 N. First Avenue.
Is Original Del Taco in Barstow owned by Del Taco?
The three Barstow restaurants are separately operated and trace their ownership rights to founder Ed Hackbarth rather than operating like standard national-chain locations.
What's different about the Barstow Del Taco?
The Barstow restaurants preserve legacy-style menu items and an old-school Del Taco atmosphere. The Barstow Taco, Bun Taco and other items have made the locations a destination for longtime Del Taco fans.
Which Barstow Del Taco is the oldest?
The First Avenue restaurant is generally treated as the oldest remaining Barstow Original Del Taco location. The historical first Del Taco was in Yermo and is no longer the operating restaurant visitors use today.
What should I order at Original Del Taco?
Start with the Barstow Taco and check the current menu for legacy-style items such as the Bun Taco, tostada or Spicy Jack Quesadilla.
Is the original Del Taco in Yermo still open?
No. The current Original Del Taco restaurants are the three Barstow locations.
Which Original Del Taco is closest to I-15?
The Lenwood Road restaurant is the most convenient of the three for many I-15 travelers heading through Barstow.
What are the Original Del Taco Barstow hours?
Official sources currently disagree on some Barstow hours. The national Del Taco locator lists Lenwood Road open 6:00 a.m.-midnight daily and the other two locations 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. daily, while Original Del Taco's own site publishes different times. Verify directly before visiting.
