What did you do in the Taco War, daddy?

• Advocate business staff
• Published: Mar 26, 2008 - UPDATED: 2 p.m.

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California-based Del Taco announced plans for 12 new restaurants in central Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Alexandria and Lake Charles.

Del Taco, the nation's second-largest Mexican quick-service chain, made the announcement in a press release speculating whether Louisiana “is the site for what could become the next ‘taco war’ — a battle for supremacy among the biggest players in the Mexican fast-food niche.”

That was apparently a reference to Seattle-based Taco Del Mar, which has opened two restaurants in the Baton Rouge area — one on Government Street and the other in Watson — and plans to have six here within a year, and a reference to other new quick-service Mexican options, such as Salsaritas, and more established options like Izzo’s Illegal Burrito and the locally owned Zippy’s.

The development agreement Del Taco announced is with Rick Staley, a longtime operator and franchisee of quick-service restaurants.

Del Taco said it is in the midst of “an aggressive campaign to grow beyond its Southern California roots.”

Founded in 1964, Del Taco operates or franchises more than 500 restaurants in 16 states.