Thank You, Glen W. Bell

As you may have noticed, I'm a huge fan of Taco Bell (seriously). I love the cheesy fiesta potatoes, the chalupa and the one that's like a chalupa, but has a soft and crunchy shell. I'd try the Taco Bell diet, but I'm pretty sure none of the previously mentioned items make the cut.

Anyways, I'd like to offer my condolences to the Taco Bell family. This weekend the Taco Bell founder, Glen W. Bell, passed away. He was 86.

"Glen Bell was a visionary and innovator in the restaurant industry, as well as a dedicated family man," said Greg Creed, president and chief concept officer of Taco Bell, in a statement on Taco Bell's Web site. "His innovative business acumen started out of humble beginnings and created one of the nation's largest restaurant chains in Taco Bell. Mr. Bell introduced an entire nation to the taco and Mexican cuisine."

Bell, an ex-Marine (Semper Fi!), opened the first Taco Bell in 1962 in Downey, California. He sold the chain to Pepsi Co. in 1978. It is now owned by Pepsi-spinoff Yum!Brands.

Thanks, Mr. Bell. I appreciate all you did.