While not every item that Taco Bell releases becomes a hit, let’s look on the bright and show some appreciation for some of their classics.
When it comes to fast food, there’s no denying that Taco Bell has managed to create a multitude of classic menu items over the years. From the iconic Doritos Locos Taco to their world-famous Nachos Bell Grande, The Bell has been a fast food favorite to foodies worldwide for well over five decades.
Of course, as with any fast food juggernaut, not every item knocks it out of the park ten times out of ten. That’s a fact for almost everything. But, while not every item the chain releases to the public is considered a masterpiece, their contribution to fast food definitely deserves its fair share of praise and admiration.
Now as you’ve seen time and time again, this praise and admiration can come from various places. This includes, but certainly isn’t limited to tweets on Twitter, Instagram posts, fanmail, and of course, running down your street at 12 a.m. while yelling “I love Taco Bell.”
If none of that sounds exciting or riveting enough for you (especially that last one), here are 10 of the best menu items at the fast food chain.
Mexican Pizza
As many of the chain’s fans know already, It was recently reported that Taco Bell would be removing this entry from their menu. Not so surprisingly, a petition was started in an effort to prove to the Bell that their Mexican pizza is an essential part of their menu. Seeing as how this item has been apart of the Taco Bell lineup for quite some time, it’s not hard to see why.
It’s not just about the fact that Taco Bell’s Mexican pizza tastes great, though. In addition to that, there’s the nostalgia factor, as well. For a lot of Taco Bell fans, the Mexican pizza is a big part of their childhood, and doing away with it would mean that they could no longer relive the glory days of that oh so familiar taste consisting of beef, sauce, tomatoes, cheese, and company.
Doritos Locos Taco
One popular Taco Bell product that you can still buy (at least at the time of writing this post), is their highly acclaimed Doritos Locos Taco, complete with beef, lettuce, and cheese all fitting snuggly in a crunchy, cheesy, Doritos flavored taco shell.
In the year 2012, the chain released what would turn out to be one of their most successful menu items to date. Since that time, we’ve seen a number of different variations including cool ranch and fiery. Still, it goes without saying, that the real MVP is the original nacho cheese-flavored taco shell.
Taco Salad
And now, a moment of silence for another Taco Bell classic that’s gone too soon.
This entry is all about Taco Bell’s Taco Salad. If you’re looking to get your hands on this scrumptious sensation, It’s unfortunate that I have to write that Bell’s taco salad been discontinued.
While this cherished fast food favorite is no longer here with us, it leaves behind a lasting legacy of satisfaction and cheesy, beefy goodness. For all the fast food historians out there, the salad was first introduced in 1984. Served in a taco shaped bowl filled with all the essentials of a great taco salad, this item is truly missed.
Despite being a mainstay on their menu for quite some time, the item was discontinued via Taco Bell earlier this year.
Taco Supreme
No disrespect intended to Taco Bell’s standard Taco, but if we’re talking best of, then their Supreme is an ideal pick. It’s quite odd to think that just by adding some tomatoes and sour cream to a regular their regular taco, you get what many consider to be one of Taco Bell’s greatest hits.
Unlike the previous entry, this item is still available for purchase, and for any supreme fan who fears this classic ceases to exist like many others before, I say this: c’mon, it’s Taco Bell’s taco supreme, for crying out loud. It isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito
Ah, some say tomato, you say tomahto. Regardless of however the way you spell it, the Grilled Stuft Burrito from Taco Bell was loaded with everything you’d expect a great tasting burrito to have.
Much like the name implies, the item was big, the tortilla was grilled, in recent years, you could choose between chicken, season beef, or steak, and it was stuffed with rice, beans, cheeses, and salsa.
Sadly, the item was yet another classic that got discontinued, earlier on in 2020. As with a host of other discontinued, yet beloved Taco Bell items, a petition has been started to bring the XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito back to a restaurant near you.
Nacho Fries
Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries are a little younger compared to other items on this list, as their initial release dates back to 2018. Although it makes perfect sense to dip the fries in nacho cheese sauce, you could beat to the sound of you’re own drum and try an alternative. No? OK, nacho cheese sauce it is then.
While the Nacho Fries are more on the basic side of things, this is Taco Bell we’re talking about here, not McDonald’s. To create a product that you wouldn’t likely find at a Tex-Mex restaurant and for the product to be a hit, is a 2 punch combination of awesomeness.
Cinnamon Twists
The Cinnamon Twists provide just enough crunch, mixed with just enough sugar and cinnamon to have you craving for more without feeling like you’re eating ten tons of rock candy, and what’s sweeter than that?
This sweet treat seems to have found its way in a number of Taco Bell’s 5 dollar boxes over the years. With that being said, it’s only right that one of Taco Bell’s greatest snack/desserts of all time gets its fair share of recognition.
So go ahead! Continue to eat your twists with a meal, but just remember, if you’re looking for something sweet without having to pay for a full course meal, you can always purchase these bad boys solo, as well.
Diablo Sause
If you thought it couldn’t get any hotter than fire, welp, you’d be right 9 times out of 10. If it’s Taco Bell we’re talking about, that’s another tank of gasoline. Taco Bell’s Diablo sauce is intended to be hotter than the likes of their fire sauce.
Aside from that, it brings out the best flavors in some of Taco Bell’s greatest creations including the quesadilla, soft taco, quesarito, and the aforementioned Taco Supreme. While nothing lasts forever, it’s safe to say that Taco Bell’s hottest sauce isn’t going anywhere for a long time.
Quesarito
Taco Bell’s Quesarito takes all the things you love about their iconic quesadilla and wraps them into one epic burrito. Besides the beef, cheese, rice, sour cream, and nacho cheese sauce, the quesarito also offers an extra ingredient that some may not have been keen on at first.
This was, of course, the chipotle sauce factor. Despite not being a usual go-to for Taco Bell, the chipotle sauce addition was just the right element to make the quesarito not only a delicious fast food chain favorite, but also, a unique one, as well.
Crunchwrap Supreme
Now, It wouldn’t be a best-of list for Taco Bell if I didn’t mention Taco Bell’s critically acclaimed Crunchwrap Supreme, would it? It’s got the beef, the tomatoes, the lettuce, the cheese, the sour cream, and the nacho cheese sauce all wrapped up in a grilled flour tortilla. Not to mention, it’s ideal for people who are on the go.
Luckily for fans of the Crunchwrap Supreme, this item is still available at the time of writing this post. So to quote a certain nostalgic mid-2000s voice artist, “for classic Taco Bell tastes that are good to go, think outside the bun.”
What is your favorite meal from the fast food chain? Did we miss a great one? Share with us!