Everyone has opinions on Taco Bell. Some think it's too expensive while others think it's a cheap fast food treat. Most of us probably fall somewhere in the middle where we're looking to save money but don't want to cook.
That's part of the reason why combo meals are so popular and why they're such a staple at all fast-food chains. We want something quick to eat and feel full without having to do anything. It might not always be the best but it's effective.
When looking at Taco Bell's combo menu, it does feel like prices have steadily increased in the last few years and it took some digging to find the cheapest combo meal. If you're a long-time Taco Bell lover such as myself, this won't come as a surprise to you. The cheapest combo meal at Taco Bell is the 3 Crunchy Tacos Combo and the 3 Soft Tacos Combo which includes 3 tacos and a drink.
At my local Taco Bell, this is priced at $8.19 and each meal includes the 3 tacos of your choosing and a large fountain drink. There is a slight upcharge if you're looking to upgrade your tacos as you can make them supreme. Essentially, it will cost you a dollar more per taco if you're making them supreme.
Is the cheapest Taco Bell combo worth the price?
Despite being named Guilty Eats, we'd never hesitate to save a buck or share some ways to help you save some money. That's why I decided to break down the cost of this entire combo meal and see if it's worth the money or if it's better to just buy the single items.
Let's begin with the 3 tacos. Regardless if you're getting soft or crunchy, these are both the same price coming out to $1.79 per taco. Multiply that by 3 and the total cost for 3 tacos is $5.37. Then for a large fountain drink, you'll be spending $2.89 and if you add those two totals together, the price is $8.26 not including tax. Oddly enough, the cheapest combo at Taco Bell is still cheaper than buying those items individually.
The only way you would truly get your money's worth without buying a combo is if you decided to get a drink during Happier Hour where you can get a medium drink for $1.00. Taco Bell's Happier Hours are from 2 pm to 5 pm every single day so it's worth it if you're out and about. Honestly, I'm a little surprised that the combo won if only by a few cents.
As usual, though, your best bet if looking to save money is by becoming a Taco Bell Rewards member and then grabbing one of the boxes from there. While each Taco Bell location varies, most of them still have the Build Your Own Cravings Box so you can get a lot more food while still paying a reasonable amount. Then there's the Cravings Value Menu if you're only looking to spend a few bucks but still want something.
Whether you're a fan of Taco Bell's combos or not, you'll hopefully be able to find something on the menu that's within your budget.