I am extremely disappointed by how I was treated by the manager at this location, particularly after I explained that I have a disability that can make it difficult for me to get certain words out.
I initially tried to order a Cheesy Gordita Crunch but accidentally said “Gordita Supreme.” The manager told me they didn’t have a Gordita and then asked whether I wanted a Chalupa or a Cheesy Gordita Crunch. I said I wanted the Gordita Crunch. He again asked whether I wanted a Chalupa or the Cheesy Gordita Crunch, so I finally asked him which one had the word “Gordita” in the name. He said the Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and I told him that was the one I wanted.
What confused me even more was that I had never mentioned a Chalupa at any point. I had repeatedly used the word “Gordita,” so I’m not sure why a Chalupa continued to be presented as an option after I had already indicated which item I meant.
Instead of simply accepting that clarification, he told me to repeat the full name back to him. I struggled but eventually managed to say “Cheesy Gordita Crunch.”
When I got to the window, I asked the female employee to repeat my order just to make sure we had communicated correctly. She confirmed it was a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, and I asked her to make it Supreme.
I then calmly tried to explain that some people have disabilities that affect their ability to speak or repeat specific words verbatim, and that it would be helpful to be mindful of that in the future. I wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable. I was simply trying to explain why the interaction had been difficult for me.
Before I could even finish speaking, the manager interrupted me and began defending himself, saying he was only trying to determine whether I wanted a Chalupa or a Gordita. Again, I had never asked for or mentioned a Chalupa. Every time I tried to finish what I was saying, he continued cutting me off and became increasingly loud with me. The interaction ultimately ended with the manager yelling at me and me driving away without any food.
The original misunderstanding could have been resolved easily. What upset me was what happened AFTER I disclosed that I have a disability affecting my speech. He could have simply allowed me to finish speaking and said, “I understand. I’m sorry, and I’ll be more mindful of that in the future.” Instead, I was interrupted, talked over, and ultimately yelled at.
Having a disability that sometimes makes it difficult to get words out is already frustrating and embarrassing enough. I should not be made to feel worse about it while trying to order food.
I will also be contacting Taco Bell corporate and asking that this incident be formally investigated. I am extremely concerned about the way I was treated after disclosing my disability and whether this manager’s conduct toward a customer with a disability was appropriate or discriminatory. No customer should be treated this way because they have difficulty communicating verbally.
I hope corporate takes this seriously and addresses it with the management at this location. Managers should understand how to interact respectfully with customers with disabilities and recognize that not everyone is able to communicate in exactly the same way. A little patience, understanding, and basic respect would have completely changed this experience.