Taco Bell has always been a playground for bold and sometimes wild menu creations. Okay, and a few questionable ones, too (looking at you, Seafood Salad). Over the years, they’ve introduced some legendary items that fans couldn’t get enough of—but sadly, not all of them stuck around. Some of them were just too good for this world. From spicy twists to quirky breakfast experiments, these discontinued menu items still have a special place in Taco Bell’s history (and in our hearts). But as Alfred, Lord Tennyson once famously said, “It’s better to have tasted and lost than never to have tasted at all.” Or something like that.
It is worth noting that Taco Bell is listening to its fans and has temporarily brought back some beloved discontinued flavors under the name Decades Menu for a limited time. The menu includes the Tostada, Green Sauce Burrito, Meximelt, and the Gordita Supreme.
Anyway, are you ready for a trip down tastebud memory lane? Let’s taco ’bout 23 beloved discontinued Taco Bell menu items that we wish would make a comeback!
1. Enchirito
- Introduced: 1970s
- Discontinued: 2013
- What it was: A hybrid of a burrito and enchilada, filled with beef, beans, onions, and drenched in red sauce and melted cheese.
- Fun fact: It was brought back briefly in 2022 after fans overwhelmingly voted for its return in a Taco Bell poll.
2. Beefy Crunch Burrito
- Introduced: 2010
- Discontinued: 2011 (returned multiple times for limited runs)
- What it was: A burrito stuffed with seasoned beef, rice, nacho cheese, and Flamin’ Hot Fritos for an added crunch.
- Fun fact: The burrito’s fanbase is so dedicated they’ve formed the Beefy Crunch Movement, campaigning for its permanent return.
3. Volcano Taco
- Introduced: 2008
- Discontinued: 2013
- What it was: A bright red taco shell filled with beef, lettuce, and cheese, topped with spicy Lava Sauce.
- Fun fact: The Volcano menu, including the taco and burrito, became infamous for its extreme heat, making it a cult favorite.
4. Cheesarito
- Introduced: 1970s
- Discontinued: 1990s
- What it was: A simple snack of melted cheese, scallions, and sauce rolled in a soft tortilla.
- Fun fact: It’s still available as a secret menu item if you know to ask for it.
5. Waffle Taco
- Introduced: 2014
- Discontinued: 2015
- What it was: A breakfast creation that folded sausage or bacon, eggs, and syrup inside a soft waffle shell.
- Fun fact: It was part of Taco Bell’s breakfast launch, which aimed to compete with McDonald’s in the morning market.
6. Grilled Stuft Nacho
- Introduced: 2013
- Discontinued: 2015
- What it was: A triangular tortilla stuffed with beef, nacho cheese, and crunchy red strips for portability.
- Fun fact: Despite being discontinued, the Grilled Stuft Nacho remains a fan-requested item on social media.
7. Naked Chicken Chalupa
- Introduced: 2017
- Discontinued: 2017 (returned temporarily several times)
- What it was: A chalupa with a crispy chicken shell, filled with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado ranch sauce.
- Fun fact: Taco Bell marketed this as a bold, protein-forward twist, but it was often criticized for being messy to eat.
8. Caramel Apple Empanada
- Introduced: 2004
- Discontinued: 2019
- What it was: A crispy fried pastry filled with warm caramel apple filling, perfect for dessert lovers.
- Fun fact: Its discontinuation was never officially announced, frustrating fans who noticed its sudden absence.
9. Bell Beefer
- Introduced: 1970s
- Discontinued: 1980s
- What it was: Taco Bell’s take on a sloppy joe, featuring seasoned beef and taco toppings on a hamburger bun.
- Fun fact: It was removed as Taco Bell shifted its focus to its signature tacos and burritos.
10. Double Decker Taco
- Introduced: 1995
- Discontinued: 2019
- What it was: A crunchy taco wrapped in a soft tortilla with refried beans acting as the “glue” between the layers.
- Fun fact: Its removal sparked widespread disappointment, with many considering it a Taco Bell classic.
11. Choco Taco
- Introduced: 1980s
- Discontinued: 2022
- What it was: A dessert taco with a waffle cone shell, ice cream filling, and chocolate coating.
- Fun fact: While not unique to Taco Bell, it was a popular dessert option during its limited availability there.
12. Black Jack Taco
- Introduced: 2009
- Discontinued: 2009
- What it was: A Halloween-themed taco with a black shell, beef, lettuce, and pepper jack sauce.
- Fun fact: Its spooky black shell made it a visual hit, even though it only lasted for a short promotional run.
13. Fiesta Taco Salad
- Introduced: 1984
- Discontinued: 2020
- What it was: A taco salad served in a crunchy edible shell, loaded with beef, beans, lettuce, cheese, and salsa.
- Fun fact: It was discontinued as part of Taco Bell’s menu streamlining efforts during the pandemic.
14. Taco Light
- Introduced: 1980s
- Discontinued: Early 1990s
- What it was: A low-calorie taco featuring a unique puffy tortilla shell filled with beef and veggies.
- Fun fact: It was marketed as a healthier option during the low-fat craze of the 80s.
15. Smothered Burrito
- Introduced: 2013
- Discontinued: 2019
- What it was: A burrito covered in red sauce, melted cheese, and sour cream for a hearty meal.
- Fun fact: It was removed to simplify the menu, despite being a favorite among those who liked sit-down-style meals.
16. Cinnamon Crispas
- Introduced: 1970s
- Discontinued: 1990s
- What it was: Crispy, fried chips coated in cinnamon sugar, replaced by the now-popular Cinnamon Twists.
- Fun fact: Many fans argue the Crispas had a better texture than their replacement.
17. Bacon Club Chalupa
- Introduced: Early 2000s
- Discontinued: 2000s
- What it was: A chalupa filled with grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado ranch sauce.
- Fun fact: It offered a “club sandwich” twist on the chalupa but didn’t last long despite its unique flavor.
18. Zesty Chicken Bowl
- Introduced: 2000s
- Discontinued: 2010s
- What it was: A lighter bowl option featuring chicken, rice, beans, and veggies.
- Fun fact: It was eventually replaced by the Power Bowls, which offered a similar concept but with fresher ingredients.
19. Crispy Chicken Wings
- Introduced: 2022
- Discontinued: 2022
- What it was: Crispy chicken wings served with a spicy ranch dipping sauce.
- Fun fact: Although they were released for a limited time, their popularity sparked conversations about whether Taco Bell should expand into chicken-focused menu items.
20. 1/2 Pound Beef and Potato Burrito
- Introduced: 2000s
- Discontinued: 2020
- What it was: A hearty burrito packed with seasoned beef, potatoes, and nacho cheese.
- Fun fact: This burrito was part of Taco Bell’s value menu and was especially popular among budget-conscious fans.
21. Chili Cheese Burrito
- Introduced: 1990s
- Discontinued: 2010s
- What it was: A burrito filled with rich chili and melted cheese, making it a warm, comfort-food favorite.
- Fun fact: While officially discontinued, it remains available in certain regions and is often requested by fans nationwide.
22. Seafood Salad
- Introduced: 1986
- Discontinued: 1990
- What it was: A rare experiment with shrimp, snow crab, and greens served as a salad.
- Fun fact: This item was released to compete with McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish and other seafood offerings but didn’t resonate with Taco Bell’s customer base.
23. BLT Taco
- Introduced: 1995
- Discontinued: 1995
- What it was: A limited-time summer item featuring bacon, lettuce, and tomato inside a classic Taco Bell shell.
- Fun fact: It was part of a summer promotion but didn’t return after its initial run, despite positive reviews from fans who loved its fresh twist.
Taco Bell has always been a hub of creativity, serving up some of the most unique fast-food items around. While not every experiment sticks around forever, many of these discontinued menu items have left a lasting impression on fans. Whether you were team Volcano Taco or still dream of the Bell Beefer, there’s no denying the power of nostalgia when it comes to Taco Bell’s menu history.
If you’re craving more fast-food nostalgia, check out these fan-favorite throwbacks:
