It wouldn't be the Illawarra if it didn't have a drive-through.
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So fast food fans will be pleased to hear that when the Albion Park Rail outpost of the famed US Tex-Mex takeaway chain opens this month, a drive-through section will be included.
That opening date is almost upon us, with the 61 Princes Hwy venue - the third in New South Wales - set to open on Monday, October 26.
Illawarra Mercury readers have reacted with a frenzy of comments on social media, indicating the chain's recipe of cheap California-influenced Mexican-derived food may be a hit here.
The company behind the outlet, Restaurant Brands Australia, said 60 people had been hired to work at the outlet.
Its media statement said "the full Taco Bell experience", the company said, which includes "contactless order kiosks, a digital jukebox, free soft-drink refills and free wi-fi".
And it turns out the Albion Park Rail outlet will be the first drive-through Taco Bell in NSW - because that's how we roll in the Gong.
Wollongong had the nation's first drive-through ATM, and down the street was a drive-through dry cleaner. To the south Warrawong had Australia's first drive-through McDonald's; up north Bellambi even has a drive-through pharmacy
Ashley Jones, CEO of Restaurant Brands Australia, which operates Taco Bell in NSW and the ACT, says while COVID-19 had briefly disrupted the opening of new stores, the new restaurants were the start of what was planned to be 40 new outlets in the state and Territory over the coming four years.
"Understandably, COVID-19 has meant that our Taco Bell NSW rollout was temporarily slowed but we are pleased to be back opening restaurants, serving delicious tacos and burritos to our fans. It's good news for local communities, who have benefited from job opportunities via local construction, produce supply and over 100 new retail jobs across the state," he said.
Another Taco Bell would open at Ballina the following week.
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