Whether you like to admit it or not, Taco Bell is DANG good and endlessly satisfying to your tastebuds and to your wallet. Having ridden shotgun to many a Taco Bell fanatic and become one along the way myself, these are some of the absolute best items on the menu. In this blatantly indulgent journey through the best Taco Bell Items, prepare to find yourself in need of one of these crave-worthy entrees immediately.
10. Cinnamon Twists
Cinnamon twists are cinnamon- sugar dusted nostalgia. Before there were fries or chips, the Taco Bell side to have were these cinnamon twists. Accompanying most meals, whether you wanted them or not, the cinnamon twists are synonymous to the entire experience. Love ’em or hate ’em, you’ll probably find yourself mindlessly chowing down on one whilst wishing you had another taco left in the bag.
9. Chicken Quesadilla
Don’t roll your eyes! It’s simple, it’s plain, it’s delicious! In my more reluctant years, my go-to was always the chicken and cheese quesadilla, and old habits die hard. No matter the newest cheesy taco goodness that gets added to the menu, this will always be a staple of the Taco Bell experience. It can be a snack, a meal, or even a side to another taco—the possibilities are endless! Make sure to include the jalapeño sauce too; it adds another creamy, spicy dimension that kicks the chicken quesadilla up to the coveted spot on this list!
8. The Meximelt
While the Meximelt is admittedly a glorified beef taco, it feels like the hidden treasure of the drive-thru that makes my inner- foodie squeal. This beef and cheese combo inside a warm soft taco is the ooey gooey goodness that makes me wonder why it’s not a more popular find on the menu. This Mexican comfort food may seem overpriced to some at $2+, but it can easily be duplicated by ordering a “beefy mini quesadilla with meat and cheese only” for only $.99! That alone gets major props in my books!
7. Nacho Fries
The latest addition to a seemingly perfected menu came with the announcement that nacho fries would be joining the menu for only $1… say no more. The expectations were high and these fries didn’t disappoint. They accompany any—yes any—meal off the menu and are dirt cheap. The fries are crispy, flavorful, and paired with a cheese dip that’s great, but definitely not necessary to make the fries a success.
6. Freezes
This non-alcoholic, sugary treat is marked down daily for three hours during Taco Bell’s, “Happier Hour” and the world does not talk about this enough. With constant flavors including the “Mountain Dew Baja Blast,” and “Airheads Blue Raspberry,” as well as limited edition flavors like, “RockstarPunchedFreeze,” there are endless opportunities to find the freeze of your dreams. During “Happier Hour,” the frozen beverages are $1 between 2pm-5pm, giving you the perfect afternoon sugar high and an aesthetic cup of color that’s Instagram-worthy.
5. Crunchwrap Supreme
This handheld tortilla with a crunch is pure innovation in taco form. While I prefer this number without tomatoes, there’s no shortage of ingredients. With meat, lettuce, sour cream, a crunchy tostada shell, nacho cheese, and tomatoes, this blend of flavors is key to making this indulgent taco sheer perfection.
#SpoonTip: Eat this right away; don’t let it sit or the hard taco within will get soggy and/or not provide the satisfying crunch that makes the meal.
4. Quesarito
The Quesarito stole my affections from my initial love of the chicken and cheese quesadilla. I’ll always hold the quesadilla close to my heart, but the Quesarito has climbed the ranks and created the same love and then some. Available in beef, steak, and chicken, the Quesarito closely mimics the quesadilla when ordering the chicken option.
With the added rice inside the nacho cheese-lined layer of tortilla, this burrito is unlike any burrito that has ever come before it. When the craving for a dense dish of meat, cheese, rice, and a grilled exterior hits in the late hours of the night, this item will have you marveling over the sheer level of cream and cheesiness.
3. Doritos Locos Tacos
Whether they’re the prized possession packed in your lunch box in third grade or the special foundation to a taco salad at the ballparks, Doritos are a staple chip to have on hand. With shell flavors ranging from Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, and Fiery Doritos, you’ll be hard-pressed to not find a taco for your enjoyment. Replacing the average taco shells with Doritos will leave your fingers with the cheesy dust we love to lick off later.
2. Cheesy Gordita Crunch
I would trade every item previously mentioned for one bite of this masterpiece. A true gift to the senses, the Cheesy Gordita Crunch is savory, crunchy, soft, delicate, satisfying, and downright beautiful. In any form that it can be ordered—regular or with a Doritos shell—it’s the showstopper amongst everything else on the Taco Bell menu.
Similar to biting into a cloud, and then a satisfying crush of crisps, this meal does it all. This menu item combines the features of a quesadilla, hard shell taco, gordita, and chalupa whilst somehow breaking the mold of them all and creating an experience that’s equal parts fluffiness and crunchiness.
1. Nacho Fries Box
With all that being said, here’s why this is my #1 “DANG THAT’S GOOD” spot. The nacho fries box is all of the best Taco Bell items for only $5! This bargain is a game-changer, but with an included drink, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a nacho cheese Doritos Locos Taco, seasoned fries, AND cheese dip, this is the epitome of Taco Bell. Whether you’re a taco-loving newbie or a seasoned vet, this is the most delicious, affordable, and tempting combination of Taco Bell items ever.
Hopefully, you have a location near you so you’ll be able to enjoy any of these Taco Bell items at any hour. With this insight into the very best of the best, I hope you gain an appreciation for this fast food paradise just like I did.