If you spent the early 2000s waiting for an AOL connection to screech its way online, zipping around on a scooter or rocking a Juicy Couture tracksuit, you’ll soon have another blast from the past to enjoy.
Taco Bell has announced a Decades Y2K Menu arriving Sept. 9 that resurrects five beloved items from the late ’90s and early aughts—Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco, Double Decker Taco, 7‑Layer Burrito, Chili Cheese Burrito, and the Caramel Apple Empanada.
Welcome back to the aughts
The chain is billing the Y2K drop as a “blast from the past,” tapping into memories of an era when broadband was a luxury and pop culture was drenched in rhinestones. For a site dedicated to dial‑up nostalgia, it doesn’t get much more on‑brand than that.
Beyond the marketing, the food itself is a time machine. Each returning dish carries a story that spans decades.
Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco
When Taco Bell introduced the Doritos Locos line in 2012, it quickly became a hit. The Cool Ranch variant followed in early 2013 but left menus in 2019. The taco features a shell made from Cool Ranch Doritos and is loaded with ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese.
Double Decker Taco
This mash‑up of a hard and soft taco debuted as a promotion in 1995, became a permanent item in 2006, and was discontinued in 2019. It combines a crunchy taco filled with beef, lettuce, and cheese, all wrapped in a bean‑spread flour tortilla.
7‑Layer Burrito
Vegetarians rejoiced when Taco Bell debuted the 7‑Layer Burrito in 1993. The meatless wrap stacks refried beans, rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, tomatoes, and lettuce. It quietly disappeared from U.S. menus in 2020, making its comeback a welcome surprise.
Chili Cheese Burrito (Chilito)
Perhaps the most nostalgic item on the list, the Chili Cheese Burrito—also known as the Chilito—dates back to 1990. It faded from most restaurants in the mid‑’90s but survived in some Midwest locations. The burrito is simple—just chili and cheese in a tortilla—but its cult following never went away.
Caramel Apple Empanada
The Caramel Apple Empanada first appeared in the early 2000s and pairs caramel and spiced apple filling inside a flaky pastry. It was discontinued in 2019 and is now back for a limited run.
More than just food
Taco Bell is also releasing Y2K‑inspired merchandise—think bedazzled Ed Hardy hats and neon watches—to accompany the menu launch. The items will drop sporadically throughout September and are available to rewards members.
Why this matters for nostalgia buffs
Food has a powerful way of anchoring memories. For many, grabbing a 7‑Layer Burrito after a marathon of dial‑up downloads or munching on a Cool Ranch taco while waiting for a Napster queue to finish were experiences tied to a specific era. By reviving these menu items, Taco Bell isn’t just offering cheap eats; it’s serving up a portal back to the days of AIM away messages and ringtone downloads.
If you plan to sample the Taco Bell’s Y2K menu, mark your calendar. The items hit locations nationwide on Sept. 9 and will be available only for a limited time. Whether you’re craving a taste of your past or introducing the next generation to these relics, this menu is a fun reminder of how food, technology, and pop culture are intertwined.
More fast‑food & throwback vibes
- • This Taco Bell receipt from 1999 is pure 90s nostalgia — See how cheap a Crunchy Taco, Soft Taco, and Tostada were.
- • 23 discontinued Taco Bell menu items fans still crave — From the Bell Beefer to the Volcano Taco, these favorites deserve a comeback.
- • 27 throwback 2000s foods that will take you back — Dunkaroos, Dr Pepper Berries & Cream, and more nostalgic snacks you forgot about.
