There was a popular song released in 1973 titled “Stuck in the Middle with You” by Stealers Wheel; a Scottish folk/rock band. Well, yesterday I wasn’t stuck in the middle of anything except the two Taco Bell restaurants that were giving away free Tacos thanks to the Tampa Bay Rays Shortstop Jason Bartlett. His stolen base in the fifth inning on October 22nd during the opening game of the World Series meant that the fast-food dining chain would hand out a free taco, one per person between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m on October 28th.Last year Oregon native Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox won the tacos for the country and I happened to be in Portland on that magic day. It was the perfect scenario and like many, my girlfriend Crystal and I managed to hit several Taco Bell’s for free Tacos handed out with a smile by some of Taco Bell’s 135,000 troops behind the counters that day. We weren’t as bold as customers at other locations who were more creative in inflating a free light taco into a pig-out meal. A group of teen-agers in Wilmington, Del., received their first free item in drive-though windows of one Taco Bell, and then got a second by standing in line inside the store. The repeated the process at several outlets “until they couldn’t eat any more.” said Jose Cofino, the vice president of Taco Bell’s East Coast zone. In the Chelten Avenue Taco Bell in Philadelphia, Mr. Cofino, like many company managers elsewhere, found himself working behind the counter when “300 teen-agers came right into our store at 3 p.m. when the Picketts Middle School let out,” he said. And in Pennsauken, N.J., “at 3:50 P. M. our manager looked up to see the entire Pennsauken High School track team enter the store, literally running for the Border,” Mr. Cofino said. The extravaganza cost Taco Bell $8 to $12 million for labor and food. In addition, the company spent nearly $4 million on television advertising during the weekend to hawk the promotion and to me it seemed like it was well worth it because at each Taco Bell we hit a large number of people were getting more than just one free taco which the company estimated to be worth about 91 cents. But it was fun and the employees seemed to be having a great time even though they were hustling like mad to keep up with the hungry crowds. People were into the spirit of the event so it was more like a party atmosphere than just a visit to a fast food restaurant.
However this year I was stuck. Living in Yachats I’m exactly between Newport 30 miles to the North, and Florence 30 miles to the south and the only Taco Bell’s around are in those two locations. I pondered my dilemma; a 60 mile round trip for a 91 cent taco was hardly economical. I racked my brain for any legitimate reason to go to either location; a doctors appointment, to have my vehicle serviced, to do a weekly “big shopping” trip and other reasons, but couldn’t come up with any. I gave it my best shot and had I been more prepared probably could have found a reason but decided to wait until next Monday when I have to report for jury duty in Newport to make my way to Taco Bell. I know I won’t get my free Taco this year but I’ll buy a Taco to support the promotion which I think puts a bit of fun and frivolity in to the World Series even for those who don’t watch baseball. No one I know is going to pass getting a free treat!!
To reach Rick Schultze email: yarick@pioneer.net
