True story: when I was in college, I frequented the nearest Taco Bell so often that the employees could fill in my order just based on the initial sound of my voice over the drive through speaker. I found this so embarrassing that I had to take my habit to the second nearest Taco Bell, where I was mortified to find many of the same employees taking shifts.
I should have taken a page from the students at Penn State, who, rather than hide their burrito love under a bushel, proclaimed it loudly and passionately, in the form of a vigil.
The Daily Collegian, Penn State’s campus newspaper, reports that a much-beloved Taco Bell location close to campus unexpectedly shut down, prompting computer science major Prajesh Patel to create a vigil for the fallen franchise via Facebook. The event was originally supposed to be “a meme,” he says, but as it gathered attention from hundreds of potential attendees, it turned into a bittersweet reality.
Dozens of students have gathered outside Taco Bell with candles for a vigil 🙏 pic.twitter.com/oIU7UWk5IR
— Onward State (@OnwardState) March 2, 2020
Patel himself dressed as a burrito. Students brought candles, signs, and portable speakers, over which Sarah McLachlan’s “In the Arms of an Angel” can be heard in videos from the event.
🕯For thy delicious beauty shall never die.
My Baja Blast, my Dorito Shell.My box for five,
My Taco Bell.🕯 pic.twitter.com/kbBLsG1fVs— Onward State (@OnwardState) March 2, 2020
Former employees of the now defunct Bell also came to pay their respects.
“I am going to miss that crunchy taco and chicken chalupa, but what I’m going to miss even more is those late-night conversations I had with each and every one of you.”
We shall never forget you, old friend. pic.twitter.com/uHnQ8WOwlN
— Onward State (@OnwardState) March 2, 2020
Things got a little cheesy. And beefy. And zesty.
Goodnight, sweet prince. pic.twitter.com/90zQDOUVgZ
— Onward State (@OnwardState) March 2, 2020
There may not be too much the youth of American can agree on right now, but we can all come together for this.
Penn State students are holding a candlelight vigil for their local Taco Bell that is closing down.
Some things are bigger than sports pic.twitter.com/vsF9yZnVZj
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 2, 2020
Never forget…
https://twitter.com/BrendanBoujee/status/1234307494404644865
The guy dressed as the burrito is everything.
Students brought flowers, lit candles and dressed for the occasion as they held a vigil for the College Avenue Taco Bell on Sunday evening.
(📸: @lindseytoom) pic.twitter.com/RaG2ycYXol
— The Daily Collegian (@DailyCollegian) March 2, 2020
Now twitter is paying their respects to the respects-payers.
Sometimes the students melt my cold alumni heart. Proud of you, kids. pic.twitter.com/RR50zYFq4I
— Me (@Plaidsheep324) March 2, 2020
Very punny, Twitter!
🕯️ rest in cheeses. quesadilla also be with you. 🕯️
— Lauren. (@laurenh8tsyou) March 2, 2020
Much respect….
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind— Joe Mahoney (@drjmm84) March 2, 2020
No word yet on how they’re all processing having to head to the next closest Taco Bell, which, according to Google Maps, is about 2 miles away.
What restaurant do you love enough to hold a vigil for?
Let us know in the comments!