Relive the 2000s at Taco Bell! The popular Tex-Mex fast food chain has announced the much-anticipated return of several dishes from that golden era, allowing you to taste your favorite foods once again—but only for a limited time. Want to know which ones? Here are all the details so you don’t miss out.
Which 2000s Dishes Will Return to Taco Bell?
Introducing the Decades Y2K Menu, which features five of the most popular items from that time, all priced at $3 or less. These are the Y2K favorites you’ll be able to enjoy again:
- Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos ($2.49): The original tortilla is replaced by the crispy, tangy Cool Ranch Doritos shell, filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheddar cheese.
- Double Decker Taco ($2.49): A soft tortilla filled with beans, wrapped in a crunchy shell, and filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese.
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- 7-Layer Burrito ($2.49): Refried beans, seasoned rice, low-fat sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, and a three-cheese blend, all wrapped in a flour tortilla.
- Chili Cheese Burrito ($2.99): Chili and cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.
- Caramel Apple Empanada ($2.99): A crispy, golden crust filled with warm apple chunks and a creamy caramel filling.
When Will the 2000s Dishes Return to Taco Bell?
The nationwide launch is scheduled for September 9th. However, Taco Bell Rewards members will get early access to the Caramel Apple Empanada from September 2nd to 8th, available only for orders placed through the app.
The Crunchkin Returns to Taco Bell!
Food isn’t the only thing making a comeback! Taco Bell surprises fans with the return of Crunchkin, the brand’s first digital mascot, inspired by its iconic menu items. It’s a companion you’ll need to care for and feed—but that’s not all! It also rewards you as you play and level up.
Rewards program members who fully develop their Crunchkin will unlock the chance to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win limited-edition merchandise.
What is Taco Bell Rewards?
It’s the company’s loyalty program, where customers can earn 10 points for every $1 spent through the restaurants or the mobile app. These points can later be redeemed for various rewards, such as menu items, including tacos, burritos, and drinks.
Members of the rewards program will also receive special offers, exclusive promotions, and early access to new products. When you sign up, you’ll receive a free item as a welcome gift. To redeem your points, simply log in to your account in the app, go to “My Rewards,” and select the reward you want to redeem. Then, tap “Redeem” to add it to your cart and complete your order.
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How many Taco Bell restaurants are there in the United States?
Currently, the chain has 8,101 restaurants spread across 51 U.S. states and territories.
The History of Taco Bell
Taco Bell was founded in 1962 in California by Glenn Bell. Its story began in 1946 when he opened Bell’s Drive-In in San Bernardino. Four years later, he added a hamburger stand. In front of this stand, there was a small Mexican food stall that he visited weekly. He observed how there were always long lines of customers enjoying fried tacos.
Glenn became friends with the owner, who taught him how to make tacos. This is how Bell started offering tacos in his business until he decided to embark on an independent venture. In 1952, he partnered with someone to open a taco stand called Taco-Tia, reaching three locations. However, due to his partner’s lack of interest in expanding, he decided to sell his share.
In 1957, he partnered with three people to create El Taco, but he left the project because he preferred to make decisions on his own. Finally, in 1962, with only $4,000, he opened the first Taco Bell, whose menu only had five items: tacos, burritos, beans, tostadas, and chili burger.
Due to the success of his business, Glenn developed a plan to franchise the brand, and a year later, he sold the first franchise in Torrance, California. The business grew so much that by 1967, the chain already had 100 locations. Today, Taco Bell sells over 2 billion tacos annually.
