Taco Bell is one of the most loved food chains throughout the U.S. It was among the first few fast food chains to introduce Americans to authentic Mexican cuisine. While the brand was famous for tacos, its menu featured other iconic items, such as beef burgers, apple empanadas, etc. Unlike other fast food chains, Taco Bell kept experimenting with its menu by adding and removing certain items over the years.
Let’s explore 12 iconic Taco Bell menu items that were discontinued despite being fan favorites of many Taco Bell loyalists.
7-Layer Burrito
If you’re a vegetarian and Taco Bell fan, you must have tried their lip-smacking 7-layer burrito at least once. As the name highlights, it contained seven layers of different items: beans, rice, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream. This delectable fusion of flavors was a fan favorite of many vegetarians and vegans until the food chain discontinued it in 2020. Taco Bell officials said that the brand aimed to launch newer vegetarian menu options in the future, bringing relief to its vegan and vegetarian customer base.
Meximelt
It was one of the longest-selling menu items at Taco Bell, selling for approximately 30 years before being discontinued by the food chain in 2019. Meximelt typically contained three main ingredients: a three-cheese blend called pico de gallo, seasoned ground beef, and a flour tortilla shell. It was the perfect option for those craving a soft taco and quesadilla because it packed the classic flavors of both items into one dish.
Gordita
As Taco Bell liked to call it, a ‘warm flatbread’ filled with the goodness of seasoned ground beef, three-cheese blend, shredded lettuce, and fiesta salsa, the Gordita was one of the longest-served items on Taco Bell’s menu. It was added to the menu in 1998 and discontinued in November 2019 for unknown reasons. Fans still crave this iconic item and occasionally nudge Taco Bell to add it back to their menu.
Spicy Tostada
Nothing comes close to the flavorful goodness of Taco Bell’s spicy tostada. It featured the perfect combination of beans, creamy chipotle sauce, red sauce, real cheddar cheese, crisp shredded lettuce, and diced ripe tomatoes wrapped in a crispy, flat corn shell. The spicy tostada was people’s favorite menu item, but it was unfortunately discontinued in 2020, along with other items.
Double Decker Taco
Taco Bell’s double-decker is an iconic menu item loved by many. It featured a hard taco shell filled with the bursting flavors of seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese. Customers could upgrade it to a supreme version with juicy tomatoes and reduced-fat sour cream. Despite being customers’ favorite, Taco Bell discontinued double-decker taco in 2019. However, because of constant demands to bring it back on the menu, Taco Bell reintroduced the double-decker taco in 2023, but only for a limited period.
Nachos Supreme
It was many Taco Bell fans’ go-to order. It featured crispy tortilla chips topped with nacho cheese sauce, seasoned ground beef, refried beans, diced tomatoes, and a generous spread of sour cream. While it was one of Taco Bell’s specialty items, it was removed from the menu in July 2020 as part of its menu revamp process.
Loaded Grillers
Taco Bell’s loaded grillers were one of its customers’ most loved menu items. Simple ingredients, such as potatoes, chicken, and beef were enveloped in a tortilla and then grilled to perfection. These loaded grillers were smothered in cheesy sauces that made them irresistibly delicious. However, Taco Bell axed this item in July 2020 as part of its menu revamp process.
Mini Skillet Bowl
Once Taco Bell’s most ordered breakfast item, the mini skillet bowl was the perfect order for people who preferred smaller portions and comparatively affordable meal options. The mini skillet bowl had seasoned breakfast potatoes, fluffy scrambled eggs, a fresh three-cheese blend called pico de gallo, and warm melted cheese, all in a single bowl. While it was among people’s favorite menu items, Taco Bell released a press release in July 2020 announcing its discontinuation.
Enchirito
It is a vintage menu item at Taco Bell that was first introduced in the 1970s. Enchirito was a unique burrito and enchilada hybrid made with simple yet lip-smacking ingredients. They were made with seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, and diced onions wrapped in a special tortilla. It was topped with red sauce, cheese, and olives for an additional burst of flavor. Despite being among the most-selling menu items, Taco Bell announced its discontinuation in 2013. The food chain resumed selling Enchirito for a limited time.
Bell Beefer
Taco Bell experimented with launching joe-style burgers in the early years of its launch, and it paved the way for the classic bell beefer. Some call it the chilli burger and bell burger, but they’re all essentially the same. While these burgers featuring a steamed hamburger bun filled with flavorful ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced onions, a mild red sauce, and grated cheese (for the supreme version) were an instant hit, Taco Bell decided to discontinue them by the mid-’90s because of reducing sales.
Caramel Apple Empanada
While people loved visiting Taco Bell for its savory offerings, its dessert item, ‘Caramel Apple Empanada,’ quickly gained customers’ love and became a classic favorite of most Taco Bell fans. This dessert included a pastry pocket filled with apple chunks and creamy caramel sauce that was deep-fried until golden crisp. While it was available at all Taco Bell outlets for 15 years, the brand decided to axe it in 2019. A potential reason for discontinuation was making room for newer menu items.
Volcano Taco
If you never tasted it, the volcano taco featured seasoned ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and lettuce wrapped in a bright red taco shell. What made this taco special was the signature lava sauce with spicy flavors. It was first introduced in 2008 as a limited-time offering, and taco lovers still aren’t over it. Taco Bell reintroduced this taco for a limited time in 2023, and it may become a part of future limited-time offerings too.
