A Seattle artist gave a long-closed Taco Bell the send-off it apparently deserved, complete with bagpipes, pallbearers, formalwear, and a 21-bell salute.
The funeral was held in West Seattle for a former Taco Bell location on California Avenue that has reportedly been closed for more than 30 years. Despite the restaurant being gone for decades, locals gathered to mourn the fast-food spot in full ceremonial fashion.
The event was organized by Sunday Nobody, a local artist and viral YouTuber known for elaborate internet art projects. According to KIRO 7, the Taco Bell funeral included flowers, tokens of condolence, a crying contest, and a headstone created specifically for the occasion.
Photos from the ceremony showed mourners dressed in formal black attire as the closed location was treated like a beloved community figure finally being laid to rest. Videos even showed a dove being released.
Mourning Taco Bell customers attend funeral for restaurant that closed 30 years ago
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck was also among those who acknowledged the unusual tribute, posting her condolences on Instagram.
“My deepest condolences to the West Seattle Taco Bell community. I stand with you during this trying time. Your grief is felt and I share in it. May this loss be a reminder to all of us to Live Más,” she said.
View this post on Instagram
The former Taco Bell site, located at 5258 California Avenue, has since been used by multiple businesses, including several Thai restaurants.
KIRO 7 notes that while West Seattle has gone more than three decades without its own Taco Bell, the chain still operates several restaurants across Seattle.
Scenes from the Taco Bell Funeral
byu/ChaoticRift inSeattle
Sunday Nobody is no stranger to viral stunts. Earlier this year, the artist traveled to Greece to drop a bronze statue of “handsome Squidward” from SpongeBob into the sea, in a project meant to confuse future historians.
Woman responds to backlash for “stealing” public art in YouTube video
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream fan recreates iconic Taco Bell meal in-game
The Taco Bell funeral may have started as a joke, but for West Seattle locals, it became a strangely sincere farewell to a fast-food landmark that somehow still had mourners decades after closing.
While the Taco Bell location may be gone, it will never be forgotten, despite the fact that it wasn’t open long enough to serve the Luxe menu or Baja Blast eye patches.
