There's something about the opening of a new fast-food chain, especially a big name from across the pond, which really gets people excited about having a new option on the high street.

Despite blustery conditions by the coast this morning, crowds gathered outside the county's newest Taco Bell in Folkestone ready for the doors to open. Reporter Rhys Griffiths joined them...

There's nothing to build that already mounting sense of anticipation quite like telling people they'll have to wait another 20 minutes for their lunch.

A big groan went up among the 15 or so fast food fans who had gathered outside Folkestone's gleaming new Taco Bell shortly before 11am, as the restaurant manager emerged to say a few minor last-minutes hitches meant opening had been pushed back.

I'm not too sure if the Mexicans have an equivalent saying to "it's blowing a gale", but the wind was whipping in from the sea and all were keen to get inside the shelter of the restaurant in West Terrace.

Spirits were soon lifted when staff members clad all in black emerged with trays bearing free crispy tacos to keep us going while we waited. A welcome morsel to tide us over, the gusty breeze carrying off pieces of lettuce and grated cheese from our paper-wrapped parcels.

We didn't have long to wait before the doors were finally flung open and the crowds could at last get a good look around the new Mexican-inspired dining spot.

Natalie Kinzett and mum Sharon were the first customers through the doors - and their tacos were going down a treat when I caught up with them at their table.

"We came at about 10am, and drove past, and we though there would be a queue" 34-year-old Natalie said.

"There wasn't, so we drove home again and came back. We didn't expect to be first - we thought there would be a big queue."

The pair, who live in Shorncliffe Road, are not usually ones for spicy food, but said they were enjoying their lunch even though mum Sharon had been apprehensive about the heat of the grub on offer.

"It's really nice," Natalie said. "And good quality for the money."

The crowds kept coming as the lunchtime rush began, with hundreds of orders places within hours of the doors being opened.

People of all ages filed in and out, and a regular stream of delivery app drivers came and went.

Taking a quick break from the hive of activity behind the counter, team leader Macy Wood said it was a relief to finally see the restaurant open and thronging with customers.

"We've all been training for so long now that we're just ready for it," the 21-year-old said.

"It's the perfect feel-good food. You'll be happy after you've eaten it. I love it, I eat it all the time!"

And what would she recommend as the pick of the menu?

"The volcano burrito, 100% a volcano burrito.

"I add jalapeños in mine because I like it a little bit more spicy. So yeah, that's the one."

Coincidently, I had earlier polished off the very same burrito - minus the jalapeños, not being aware of that menu hack at the time - and it was delicious. Packed with ground beef, encased in a soft tortilla and full of flavour.

With a portion of seasoned fries on the side, plus a cheeky taco too, it was a properly satisfying lunch and one that may give the long-established branch of McDonald's opposite a run for its money.

That's certainly the aim of Hamid Ali, chief executive of the firm behind scores of Taco Bell restaurants across the county, who exuded pride at seeing his newest location packed out.

"We do the best tacos in the world," he said. "We're known for them, that's why we are Taco Bell.

"We do burritos, we do crispy chicken, we do all these wraps as well. No one does wraps better than us.

"McDonald's and all of them try to copy us, but we do the best wraps and the best burritos in town."

Fighting talk from the new kid on the town's fast-food block. But if the reaction of the crowds on day one is anything to go by, it looks like Taco Bell could certainly chime with the people of Folkestone.