Many of you may remember the yummy fast food chain that was super popular in the 1980’s called Naugles…well this article is about trying to help bring it back! 🙂 To see the full story keep reading and to see the newest news click here ➡ NAUGLES IS BACK! Beginning in 2008, my friend Christian Ziebarth decided to try to revive the old fast food favorite and has been trying to do so ever since! It has been a long journey for him and if you would like to read about his journey, feel free to visit his website here –> Naugles Blog .
In a nutshell, Christian believe that there was a need for Naugles just because he had large numbers of searches on his blog for this popular spot, so he started to put in countless hours, chatting with Naugles family members, Del Taco and perfecting recipes. 🙂
My question for Christian when I interviewed him was, “How do you know Naugles is going to be popular again? Sure, we are all super excited about it, but is it really safe to base an idea just upon so many people’s nostalgic moments with Naugles when they were children?” His response to me was, “I don’t need to do anything to push nostalgia with Naugles. The food will sell itself! “
I am going to have to agree with Christian’s statement because although I am not a huge fast food junkie and am very selective with what I eat, I know when something tastes great since I am so picky and do not each much fast food! Let me tell you…from my first hand meeting with Christian 2 times in the last 4 months, both times I sampled his food, each and every bite was amazing and tasted just as it did when I was a child devouring it in the 1980’s!
Naugles last restaurant was located in Las Vegas, Nevada and even though it closed down and Del Taco never did anything with the Naugles name, they have continued to pay a renewal fee every 10 years in both 1996 & 2006 to keep others from moving forward and bringing back the ever so popular Naugles. Christian’s campaign to open Naugles will hopefully help them from being able to renew in 2016 and just let the name sit in the trash unable to do anything with it.
As of now, Christian is trying to bring back the ever so popular fast food chain and he has several businessmen in several areas including California and Missouri that are ready to jump aboard the Naugles business! Christian has now held 2 pop up events in the local area, the last one being in Fountain Valley and selling out with people lined up at the door to enjoy their childhood favorite!
The Pop-up event was held at a small deli in Fountain Valley called, Pig & Parsley. This deli opened about 6 months ago with awesome food and apparently they also have a passion for bringing back Naugles! It turned out the owner of the deli was also a Naugles Fan. Even city workers from the city of Fountain Valley stepped forward expressing interests in having a Naugles in their area!
Naugles popular list of menu items back in the day included Macho combo burritos, cheese burritos, red sauce green sauce, hot sauce, tacos, taco salad, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, Ortega burgers (diced Ortega chilies) bean burritos, beef burritos, and combo burritos. In addition you could take any of the burritos and make them macho by adding extra ingredients and lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, red sauce, and green sauce!
I was so very excited to enjoy Naugles items when Christian came by to visit me and I want everyone else to get to enjoy these too, so please help spread the word about this yummy fast food joint coming back to town. Stay tuned for other future pop up Naugles events and I will keep you posted about his future opportunities to open Naugles restaurants throughout the US as they once were! A Pop-Up Event is scheduled to come to Lancaster this February and shortly after there will be another one in Orange County!
One small tip I want to share with all of you is that there is a small restaurant called Buns and Torts in Visalia, (just in case you happen to be trekking through that area on a road trip or possibly live nearby) that is actually owned by one of the Naugles family members and he currently operates with all original Naugles recipes! I have never been, but if I ever happen o be in that area, you can guess where I will be visiting! 🙂
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I have never heard of Naugles – I assume they were never a name in New England. But I do wish them the best for sure.
I am unsure of if they were in New England, but I hope they grow to be there as well! 🙂 Thanks for the well wishes!
We never had them around here, but it sure looks good. Now I’m hungry.
Thanks for the comment:) They are very tasty! 🙂 Cheese burritos rock!
I have never heard of this chain, I live in Miami, maybe they were never in this area? Anyhow, I wish them kuck!
I am unsure of if they were ever in Miami, but there is a chance they could be in the future. You never know! There are definitely some delicious options!
They had at least one somewhere in Florida.
Definitely would love to be informed of next pop up. My family and friends have been JONESIN’ for some Naugles for far too long. Please keep Menifee or Riverside Co. in mind when considering locations.
Better yet, when will there be franchising info. available?
Naugles will soon be opening in Fountain Valley:) If you would like details about franchising info, please email Christian at: info@nauglestacos.com
Oops, sorry, typo, I meant luck!!!
I have never heard of Naugles. What area are they coming back too? The food does look very good and I’m always up for Mexican!
They plan to first start opening in California and Missouri and then will hopefully continue to grow.:) It is very tasty food! 🙂
I’ve never heard of naugles but that cheese burrito looks like a heart attack, woah!! I think we all have that resturant we love to frequent, mine is Teppan Fuji! Gotta have my sushi!
Thank you for the comment Heather:) I love sushi as well! Sounds like a delicious choice for a sushi restaurant!
Naugles is so new to me. But the foods look so good for sure. Will try them for sure when I get a chance to do so. Thanks for sharing.
You are so very welcome! I hope you get a chance to enjoy Naugles soon:)
Awesome! Enjoy! 🙂
The food looks great. So fun to see how excited about the restaurant coming bac.
Thanks so much for the comment Beth! I am so excited:)
Naugles is new to me, but their menu definitely has my attention! Good things always come back around!
Thanks for the comment! I love Naugles. If it comes to your area, I am sure you will as well:)
We don’t have this chain here.. sounds like great food.
It is definitely a yummy place! 🙂
There had been a Naugles (at least one) in Pennsylvania.
It looks really yummmy and I love the look of the hat 🙂
Thanks for the comment! Yummy it is:)
Looks so good. I have never been, but would love to check it out!
I hope you get a chance to check it out when it comes back! 🙂
Sounds yummy! Does the green sauce have green chile in it?
It tastes like it does…it is a secret recipe so I am unsure of exactly what is inside:)
Naugles was the BEST!!!! If they want any chance at succeeding they need to find Shirlene Lopez hire her and put her in charge of everything. She was Naugles… Then she should hire Jean Wealen. Too bad they will have to rename some of the food items.
I tried reaching out to Shirlene before but never got a response. I believe she worked at Naugles in Fountain Valley starting when she was 14 but then it switched to Del Taco not too long after. Then later on she became the president of Del Taco.
As far as menu item names go we probably won’t have to change anything.
EVERY Macho item at Del Taco was a Naugles item
I had plenty of Naugles in my 20’s at the St. Louis location. Moved to the Los Angeles area in 93 and never really knew what happened to it. Now that a Steak n Shake is in Santa Monica and Duncan Donuts is appearing – a Naugles would be a great addition! By the way….check out a great Roast Beef place called “Top Round” near Hollywood. It’s very similar to Lion’s Choice in St. Louis and probably the most amazing roast beef sandwiches you will ever taste!!! Really, ck it out!! 😉
Thanks so much for the comment Pam. 🙂 I did not know we had a Steak N Shake in Santa Monica! How cool. I went to one in New York:) Thanks for the recommendation for Top Round! I will definitely check that out! 🙂 🙂 Keep an eye out for the next Naugles pop up. I am sure one will come soon:)
YES YES YES bring it back to Fountain Valley, CA. Can remember 2:00am runs to Naugles for their amazing eggs & cheese burritos. YUMMERS
BTW how does one find out about these pop ups ?
It is back! 🙂
When I lived in So Cal in the 80s Naugkes was amazing. I missed it when it was gone. I love in Georgia now and know this place would love it. All they have here is basically Taco Hell for fast food Mexican. Naugles was amazing and greatly missed.
Naugles totally did rock in the 80’s and I look forward to the Naugles comeback. I believe they are first going to try to start with a food truck to be able to hit more geographic areas. 🙂 Hopefully they will come to Georgia so you can enjoy them again. 🙂
A real great bean and cheese burrito a lot of cheese I can fast it now, hurry up and open can’t wait.
Their bean and cheese burritos are definitely delicious! 🙂
Desperately miss Naugles. I lived in Southern California in the 80s and it was my go-to place, and was thrilled when I moved to the Chicago suburbs to find two of them here. I would drive 25 minutes one way for their beef burrito, it was just that good and unlike anything anyone else makes. When they closed, I hit that last one in Vegas when I was there on vacation one time.
I sure hope he can pull this off, to bring the chain back and put one back here in Chicagoland!
I love your story! Naugles is awesome and the first one is supposed to be opening very soon here in Orange County in Southern California. For franchise info, you can email info@nauglestacos.com
Christian, can’t wait to see Naugles come back, thanks for the add !!
So very cool! Isn’t it Chuck? I cannot wait!😀
I would love to open 1 in Georgia. Just tell me how
I will pass this info on to my friend Christian that is aiming to make this happen! Thanks for the comment!😀
We are planning our 40th HS Class reunion and we want to create a Naugles photo booth to take pictures in or around. Naugles was our high schools favorite hang out for all 4 yrs. Would you have any idea of how I could find memorabilia, like menus, hats, etc?
How awesome! I would suggest going online and looking at ebay! 🙂 There is always fun stuff there…or maybe now that the test kitchen is open you can stop by to dine and see if there are any items with the logo on it.:)
I remember eating their when I was younger and it was so good glad their making a comeback. Will you be coming back to Las Vegas? I hope so.
Francis,
The first Naugles will be opening in Orange County and they do hope to expand. The test kitchen is doing very well! 🙂
I loved naugles when I was a kid was just talking about them the other day. Don’t forget the tostadas!
👍👍
Is this the same Naugles that made egg and bean burritos? If so is it true they will open in Missouri too. If this is true o loved those burritos. I’m in St Joseph, Missouri. That is close to Kanasa City. Let me know, thanks.
This is the original Naugles! 🙂 They were all over Missouri. The first location will be opening in Orange County, California and they do hope to expand so hopefully they will be in Missouri once again:) Stay tuned and for more info, email info@nauglestacos.com 🙂
We need a Naugles in Kingman Az. Kingman is off the I-40 and it would make a mint. We have a lot of travelers and Truckers. Please look into having one here. I used to hang out at the one they Had in Lancaster, Ca back in the 80’S. They had the best food. I remember that it was always packed no matter what time of day it was. I miss the food. It’s a great restaurant.
I’m TOTALLY EXCITED about Naugles coming back! I’m an Huntington Beach Native as well as a H.B.H.S Grad of 89! I went to Naugles all the the time! I’m taking my 24 yr old son to Naugles later, he’s never been! I hope more will open!
Very awesome!! Make sure to visit the Fountain Valley location and there should be more to come! 😀
Please Bring Back Naugles I Used To go All The Time No Matter What Time of Day it Was The Spot I Loved The Macho Nachos & Bean Burritos I Used To Live in St. Charles Missouri it was located on First Capital Drive and Highway 70 back in 1985 to 1989 (are there any plans of bringing it back in the near future)?????
It is here in California:)
Sure miss the one in Belleville, Illinois!
Hope you do awsome and see your way clear to open up I need the Toledo Ohio area as I no longer reside in Southern California love love love your food yoused to work for you!
Please please bring it back to Las Vegas!!! I miss Naugles so much!!! I have great memories of that place with my mom, we use to walk there every week when we lived in Cali!
I was a truck driver in the Southern California area for many years and I loved stopping at Naugles for lunch. It was my favorite place to eat and I would always work them into my daily schedule. I was so disappointed when they closed and I thought I would never see them again. I am so stunned! I’m going to make a special trip to the Naugles in Fountain Valley for lunch to remember the good old days. I really hope you can bring back the chain because I know there are others like me that will be regulars in your restaurants. Best of luck to you. We’re all pulling for you!
Thanks sonmuch for your comment! Enjoy Naugles when you go tomorrow. Let us know what you think😀