House of Reuben

BUSINESS: House of Reuben LOCATION: Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: House of Reuben trumps Bell of Taco any day in my book! PHOTO: Michael Pfaendtner

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Burgers

BUSINESS: Burgers LOCATION: 35th Street, Austin, Texas USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: You may not have actually named your restaurant, but the car on the roof’s a nice touch. PHOTO: Gabriel Jamail-Gutierrez

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Highland Florist

BUSINESS: Highland Florist LOCATION: Hixson Pike, Chattanooga, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: At least I’m not the one who has to look themselves in the mirror after sending a funeral flower arrangement from a Taco Bell. PHOTO:

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Allstar Donuts

  BUSINESS: Allstar Donuts LOCATION: Berkeley, California USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Where donuts, not design, are the star of the show. I hope. PHOTO: Jeff Stendec

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Little Caesars Pizza

BUSINESS: Little Caesars Pizza LOCATION: River Oaks, Texas USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: This Mexican-turned-Italian restaurant may seem very exotic, but the parking lot streamers and American flags are here to remind you we’re still in Texas. PHOTO: David

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Burrito Station

BUSINESS: Burrito Station LOCATION: Halsted & Volmer, Chicago Heights, Illinois USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Still serves tacos, but the idea of arriving trainloads of burritos has me very eager to learn more. PHOTO: David Aldridge

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Title Max

BUSINESS: Title Max LOCATION: Lawrenceville Hwy, Tucker, Georgia USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: On the forefront of the Taco-Bell-to-Title-Loan craze that’s swept the nation. PHOTO: Greg Germani at Atlanta Time Machine

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Na Go Ya

BUSINESS: Na Go Ya LOCATION: Brainerd Rd, Chattanooga, Tennessee USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Trying to confuse us into not noticing this is a Taco Bell by being some sort of Japanese named Chinese restaurant. PHOTO: Chris

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Northeastern Title

BUSINESS: Northeastern Title LOCATION: US 13, New Castle, Delaware USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Painted it yellow to make it look more Mexican. PHOTO: Liz Clayton

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Dive Shop

BUSINESS: Dive Shop LOCATION: Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, Georgia USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: They actually tacked a pool onto the Taco Bell—and yet it is still clearly a Taco Bell. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle

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American Deli

BUSINESS: American Deli LOCATION: Church Street, Decatur, Georgia USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: If by “American” you mean North American, as in including Mexico, well, then, maybe. PHOTO: David Hornbuckle

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2000 Wok

BUSINESS: 2000 Wok LOCATION: Fillmore Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Daring combination of bad conversion and time-sensitive trendy “millennium”-style naming. PHOTO: Mike Melanson

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La Shish

BUSINESS: La Shish LOCATION: Wayne Road, Westland, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: We have already seen that Taco Bells convert easily to Middle Eastern—the delicious La Shish has added handsome spires to this joint! PHOTO: Josh Landau

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Boston Grill

BUSINESS: Boston Grill LOCATION: Florida Avenue at Fowler Avenue, Tampa, Florida USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Palm trees, stucco roof, arched windows left intact to conjure up image of good old Beantown. PHOTO: Brad Hissing

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Best of Philly Cheesesteaks

BUSINESS: Best of Philly Cheesesteaks LOCATION: Phoenix, Arizona USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Unbelievable adaptation of clearly visible taco-style bell on sign. NOTE: Next door to converted IHOP! I love Arizona. PHOTO: Doc

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Hungry Howie’s Pizza

BUSINESS: Hungry Howie’s Pizza LOCATION: Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: They actually knocked out the brick arches and made square windows here. NOTE: Wedged between a converted Burger King AND a converted 7-11! PHOTO: Liz

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Al Noor Mediterranean Cuisine

BUSINESS: Al Noor Mediterranean Cuisine LOCATION: Washtenaw Avenue, Ypsilanti, Michigan USED TO BE A: Taco Bell CREATIVE INTERPRETATION: Made use of arched windows to evoke Middle Eastern feel. PHOTO: Liz Clayton

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