By Debbie L. Sklar • Times of San Diego

Copyright timesofsandiego

Taco Bell fans in Carmel Mountain Ranch are about to get more than tacos and burritos — they’re getting a full-on celebration.

Diversified Restaurant Group, one of the brand’s largest franchisees, is opening a new Live Más Café on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with live entertainment, games, giveaways, and free samples of the café’s signature food and drinks.

The grand opening runs from 3 to 5 p.m. at 11688 Carmel Mountain Road, giving the community its first chance to experience the next-generation Taco Bell concept.

This is DRG’s second Live Más Café in San Diego County, following last year’s debut in Chula Vista. By the end of 2025, the company plans to expand the café concept to 15 Southern California locations.

“Our fan base in San Diego showed us how much they love the Live Más Café experience, and we’re excited to bring that same energy to Carmel Mountain Ranch,” said SG Ellison, CEO & president of Diversified Restaurant Group. “This concept gives our guests more reasons to visit Taco Bell, whether that’s for a favorite taco or a handcrafted drink.”

At Live Más Café, guests are welcomed by “Bellristas” who prepare specialty beverages including Agua Refrescas in flavors like strawberry passionfruit and mango peach, indulgent Churro Chillers layered with churro crumbles, coffee drinks such as Mexican Mocha and Vanilla Crema, and fan-favorite dirty sodas. The expanded drink menu is designed to give customers more reasons to stop by beyond traditional mealtimes, according to a news release.

Additional Live Más Café locations are planned in Corona, Eastvale, Hemet, La Cañada, Lake Forest, Lancaster, Newhall, Orange, Pasadena, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, San Diego, Simi Valley, Temecula, and Yorba Linda.