Parting is such sweet sorrow, and it's even sadder when you're saying goodbye to a crunchy and spicy rolled up delight in the form of a burrito. While Taco Bell has made great contributions to society — like proving that chihuahuas can talk — it’s with a heavy heart that we must address their darker deeds. Yes, we’re talking about heinous acts of... menu treason.
Their punishment? Normally, we’d recommend death by a 1,000 diablo sauces. But in the spirit of world hope (and late-night hunger), we’re giving Taco Bell a chance to redeem themselves by bringing back these fan-favorite items.
Here are six retired Taco Bell icons that we’ve been patiently waiting for — too patiently....
Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt
This melt was the perfect combo of shredded chicken, cheese and Taco Bell's spicy chipotle sauce, all wrapped in a warm tortilla. It was simple. It was reliable. It was a dollar! Unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2020 when Taco Bell streamlined its menu — this move also saw the removal of the shredded chicken entirely.
The Enchirito
Introduced in the '70s, the enchirito was a mix of an enchilada and a burrito, featuring seasoned beef, beans and diced onions wrapped in a tortilla, all smothered in red sauce and topped with cheese. This holiday-inspired classic was discontinued in 2013 — though it has since made brief comeback appearances due to great fan demand.
Rolled Chicken Tacos
A limited-time Taco Bell menu item, the tacos featured shredded and seasoned chicken rolled in a crispy corn tortilla, and came with a choice of dipping sauces, including spicy ranch, nacho cheese and guacamole. After the seasonal holiday promotion, these tacos were never seen again and remain an open cold case.
The 7-Layer Vegetarian Burrito
The 7-layer burrito was the go-to option for vegetarians before it got axed in 2020. Packed with seasoned rice, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream and shredded cheese, I would add the cheesy fiesta potatoes and have a feast with two of them.
The Taco Lite
The Taco Lite was a low-calorie menu item introduced in the '80s. It had a lightly-fried taco shell and came filled with seasoned beef, lettuce and cheese. It was marketed as a healthier choice before eventually being discontinued. But, I don't care for any of that, look at the commercial below and tell me that isn't Taylor Swift!
The Volcano Taco
Another one off its limited menu, The Fire Taco brought a lot of heat with its bold, spicy red shell. Packed with seasoned beef, lettuce and cheese, it also looked really cool too.