20 Taco Bell Favorites We Wish Would Return
Remember those late-night runs fueled by cult-classics that vanished without warning? We’re opening the vault on the Taco Bell legends fans still beg to see again.
From crunchy icons to saucy sleepers, these menu ghosts refuse to fade from memory. Get ready to relive the flavors that made drive-thrus feel like treasure hunts.
1. Mexican Pizza
The Mexican Pizza was the crispy, saucy hybrid that felt like a secret handshake between tacos and pizza. Two crunchy tortillas sandwiched seasoned beef and beans, then got smothered in pizza sauce, melted cheese, and diced tomatoes.
Each bite balanced textures: shatteringly crisp edges, gooey center, and savory layers. It turned a basic fast-food stop into a mini celebration.
Fans loved customizing with jalapeños or extra sauce, making it a personal ritual. Nostalgia aside, it showcased Taco Bell’s playful mashup spirit.
Even copycats can’t capture that exact seasoning and crunch timing. Its comeback proved demand, but permanence remains elusive.
2. Double Decker Taco
The Double Decker Taco doubled down on satisfaction with a clever architecture. A soft flour tortilla slathered in refried beans hugged a classic crunchy taco shell, locking in warmth and preventing cracks.
Inside, seasoned beef (or beans), shredded lettuce, and cheddar made a familiar core. The contrast—soft, creamy exterior against a crackly interior—hit differently every time. It was portable, filling, and wonderfully messy without falling apart.
Many fans customized with hot sauce, sour cream, or jalapeños for extra kick. Its disappearance left a structural void, because few items balanced comfort and crunch with such simple, brilliant engineering.
3. Volcano Taco
The Volcano Taco turned heat into theater with its signature fiery-red shell. It packed seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese, but the star was the Lava Sauce: creamy, peppery, and unapologetically bold.
That punchy sauce clung to every bite, making the taco memorable beyond its looks. Fans loved the visual drama—bright shell, molten interior—like a dare you could actually finish.
It wasn’t just spicy; it was balanced with richness. Late-night cravings leaned on that reliable sizzle.
When it vanished, aficionados chased DIY versions. None nail the exact tang and texture that made Volcano feel like a mini eruption.
4. Chili Cheese Burrito (Chilito)
The Chili Cheese Burrito—affectionately the Chilito—was pure comfort wrapped in a warm tortilla. Inside, a thick, savory chili melded with melty cheese into a smooth, cozy filling that felt like a hug.
No crunch, no frills—just a consistent, saucy bite from end to end. It traveled well, stayed warm, and turned simple ingredients into nostalgia. Fans still map out locations that secretly serve it.
Its magic was texture: velvety, mildly spiced, and endlessly craveable. Add onions or hot sauce, and it sang even louder. The fact it lingers regionally proves demand never truly cooled.
5. 7-Layer Burrito
The 7-Layer Burrito was a vegetarian legend that didn’t feel like a compromise. It stacked beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese—each layer distinct yet harmonious.
Every bite offered a new combination: cool guac, tangy sour cream, hearty beans, and fluffy rice. It felt substantial without being heavy, ideal for lunch or midnight cravings.
Customizers could add jalapeños or swap sauces with ease. It embodied abundance, a sensory tour without meat.
Losing it tightened options for veggie fans. Few items delivered that many textures and colors in one generous, satisfying wrap.
6. Beefy Crunch Burrito
The Beefy Crunch Burrito was engineered for craveability. Seasoned beef and rice provided the base, warm and comforting.
Then came the game-changer: Flamin’ Hot Fritos folded in for a fiery, satisfying crunch that survived the wrap. A creamy sauce cooled the heat, creating a push-pull of textures and temperatures.
It was budget-friendly, filling, and gloriously snackable. Fans rallied online for its return, proving that spice plus crunch equals loyalty.
Even short-lived comebacks showed pent-up demand. Nothing hits quite like that spicy crackle in a warm burrito cradle.
7. The Enchirito
The Enchirito fused burrito comfort with enchilada decadence. A soft tortilla wrapped seasoned beef, beans, and onions, then bathed in savory red sauce and melted cheese.
Served in a tray, it arrived smothered and steaming, a fork-and-knife experience rare for drive-thrus. It scratched that sit-down Mexican craving on the go.
The sauce-to-filling ratio was its secret—each bite drenched but balanced. Fans remember the distinctive olive garnish that added a briny pop.
Limited-time returns prove its staying power. When you crave saucy, cheesy immersion, the Enchirito still reigns as the ultimate fast-casual indulgence.
8. Nacho Fries BellGrande
Nacho Fries BellGrande took the beloved spiced fries and scaled them into full-meal territory. The base: crispy, seasoned fries, already addictive.
Then came nacho cheese, seasoned beef, tomatoes, and sour cream, sometimes guacamole for extra luxury. It was messy in the best way, a fork fest of salt, spice, and creamy richness.
Each fry became a vessel for drippy bliss. Fans chased limited runs like concert drops. When gone, the craving lingers hardest—no standard fry satisfies after these. It’s proof Taco Bell can transform sides into spotlight headliners.
9. Quesarito
The Quesarito was maximalism wrapped in innovation: a burrito hugged by a cheesy quesadilla. Melted cheese lined the outer tortilla, binding it to a second shell for pillowy heft.
Inside, seasoned beef, rice, chipotle sauce, and sour cream created a smoky-creamy core. Every bite was gooey, warm, and perfectly indulgent. It felt premium without breaking the bank.
Online ordering hacks kept it alive, but fans want a full revival. The texture—soft, cheesy, and slightly toasty—made it unforgettable. It’s the kind of extra that defines Taco Bell’s legend.
10. Caramel Apple Empanada
The Caramel Apple Empanada sealed the deal for dessert lovers. A golden, flaky pastry pocket burst with warm cinnamon-apple filling and luscious caramel, delivering pie-shop comfort in handheld form.
It was sweet, slightly tart, and delightfully gooey, with crisp edges that snapped. Perfect after spicy tacos, it cooled the palate and satisfied sweet tooths. Drive-thru desserts rarely hit this hard.
Fans still mourn the loss, trying freezer-aisle substitutes that never match the fresh-fried aroma. That first steam-filled bite remains a core memory. Bring back the empanada, and watch lines form again.
11. Grilled Stuffed Burrito
The Grilled Stuffed Burrito brought heft and sear to the lineup. It packed rice, seasoned beef, beans, sour cream, and a three-cheese blend into a tight cylinder, then kissed it on the grill for a toasty exterior.
That press made everything meld—cheese melted, fillings distributed, edges crisped. It ate like a full meal, portable yet substantial. Fans remember the warmth radiating through the wrapper.
Add pico or jalapeños for brightness, and it sang. Its absence left a grilling-shaped hole. Few wraps achieve that same balanced density and crunch-to-chew ratio.
12. Smothered Burrito
The Smothered Burrito was comfort drenched. A hefty burrito got covered in red sauce and melted cheese, often topped with sour cream and scallions, turning fast food into a sit-down feast.
Knife-and-fork indulgence made it special, with steam rising from every saucy slice. Inside, beans, rice, and seasoned beef (or chicken) balanced the richness.
It was perfect for cold nights or when you craved maximum warmth. Messy? Absolutely. But worth every napkin. Fans miss that ritual of unwrapping, then seeing it transformed into a bubbling skillet-level treat.
13. Fiesta Potatoes
Fiesta Potatoes were the side that snuck into the spotlight. Seasoned, bite-sized potato cubes came warm and crispy, topped with nacho cheese and sour cream.
They were simple, comforting, and endlessly versatile—great alone or tucked into burritos. The texture contrast made them addictive: fluffy interiors against crisp edges.
Vegetarians loved them as a hearty add-in. When they vanished, the outcry was instant and loud. Even with periodic returns, fans want the classic prep solidified. Sometimes, the most craveable items are the ones you build entire orders around.
14. XXL Nachos
XXL Nachos were a party on a platter. A mountain of chips supported seasoned beef, beans, nacho cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapeños, and sour cream—every topping in generous waves.
It encouraged sharing but rewarded hoarders with perfect, loaded bites. The key was chip integrity; thicker chips stayed strong under the weight.
Movie night? Road-trip picnic? This was your move. When discontinued, fans struggled to recreate the same topping distribution. There’s still a void for a truly massive, communal nacho experience at the Bell.
15. Spicy Potato Soft Taco
The Spicy Potato Soft Taco proved meatless could be mighty. Crispy potato bites, creamy chipotle sauce, lettuce, and cheese turned into a budget-friendly powerhouse.
The secret was seasoning: smoky heat that played beautifully with the cool toppings. It felt substantial without heaviness, and the texture mix kept each bite exciting.
Fans loved customizing with pico or extra chipotle. Its disappearance sparked petitions—and its returns show lasting demand.
Still, consistency and permanent status remain elusive. This humble taco punched way above its weight class.
16. Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco
The Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco rode the wave of snack-food synergy perfectly. The shell brought tangy, herby Cool Ranch flavor to each bite, amplifying the standard seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese filling.
It was fun, portable, and surprisingly balanced—zesty without overpowering. Fans loved the dusted fingertips and unmistakable aroma.
While Nacho Cheese remains, Cool Ranch disappearing felt like losing half the experiment. Late-night runs lost a distinctive snap of flavor. Bring it back, and the duo finally feels complete again.
17. Cantina Burrito Bowl
The Cantina Burrito Bowl aimed upscale without losing speed. Fresh pico, black beans, cilantro rice, romaine, guacamole, and marinated chicken (or steak) made it feel clean and flavorful.
Limey brightness and herbaceous notes lifted it beyond standard fast food. It satisfied those wanting forkable, lighter options.
Fans miss the balance: hearty yet refreshed, customizable without chaos. It proved Taco Bell could play in the modern bowl arena. When it left, the menu lost a wholesome anchor for health-leaning diners.
18. Lava Sauce (as add-on)
Lava Sauce was the secret engine behind multiple favorites. Creamy, spicy, and just thick enough to cling, it turned tacos, burritos, and fries into crave magnets.
The heat built gently, finishing with a peppery glow. Fans ordered it on everything, transforming simple items into indulgences. DIY versions never quite match the tang and mouthfeel.
When it vanished, several menu items lost their soul. Its return as a universal add-on would instantly revive half the nostalgia roster. Bring the lava, and watch the menu erupt again.
19. Meximelt
The Meximelt was a stealth favorite—simple, warm, and perfectly proportioned. It tucked seasoned beef, pico de gallo, and melty cheese into a soft tortilla, then steamed it to coax everything together.
The result was gentle heat, fresh tomato-onion brightness, and a comforting chew. It wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable and satisfying.
Perfect for add-on cravings or a light bite. Fans still replicate it via custom orders, but it never hits the exact soft-steam magic. The Meximelt’s minimalism was its strength.
20. Grilled Stuft Nacho
The Grilled Stuft Nacho was a triangle of innovation. A large tortilla folded into a nacho-chip shape, stuffed with seasoned beef, warm nacho cheese, sour cream, and crunchy red tortilla strips.
Then it hit the grill, sealing edges and creating a portable crunch-pocket. Each corner delivered a different bite—gooey, tangy, crispy.
It was playful, great for sharing, and perfect for dipping in hot sauce. Fans loved the novelty and the satisfying hand-feel. It vanished too soon, leaving snackers dreaming of that sealed, toasty triangle.
