Taco Bell revamps menu for second time since July, updating restaurant designs, operations

Taco Bell is in the process of finishing a new menu with both additions and subtractions. The chain is also announcing new restaurant designs, and an operations update.

“We’re constantly evaluating ways to provide a more efficient restaurant experience, and have already begun to see progress from streamlining our menu,” said Mike Grams, Taco Bell President, Global COO. “While we know fans may be understandably sad to see some of their favorites go, this evolution of our menu truly paves the way for fresh new ideas. The creativity and innovation in our kitchen hasn’t slowed down at all, and we look forward to rolling out new fan favorites.”

The following menu items are being added:

Chicken Chipotle Melt – Nationwide
A new permanent fixture on our Cravings Value Menu, featuring marinated all-white meat grilled chicken, creamy chipotle sauce, and cheddar cheese rolled and melted together. Fans can get their hands on the new $1* Chicken Chipotle Melt starting November 5.

Dragonfruit Freeze – Nationwide
A tropical frozen beverage swirled with a burst of dragonfruit flavor, available nationwide starting September 24. All Taco Bell freezes are now served with a flat lid.

Green Sauce – Regional
New recipe now including flavors of fire roasted green chilies, pureed jalapeño and hatch green chiles. Green sauce will be returning to select markets nationwide starting November 5.

Quesalupa – Testing in Knoxville, TN
Quesalupa is starting its journey back to menus nationwide next year, kicking off on September 24 with a test in Knoxville, Tennessee. A classic chalupa shell stuffed with a cheese blend of real pepper jack and mozzarella.

The following menu items are being removed:

Mexican Pizza: Removing it from our menus helps Taco Bell work towards their commitment to leave a lighter footprint on our planet, according to the company. Currently, Mexican Pizza packaging accounts for over 7 million pounds of paperboard material per year in the U.S.
○ For vegetarians who might have customized the Mexican Pizza as part of their go-to order, Taco Bell is still vegetarian-friendly. Anyone looking for a vegetarian alternative can swap out any meat for plant-based proteins – black and pinto beans.
○ With the removal of the Mexican Pizza combo, a classic Taco Bell combo will be returning. Combo #8 will now feature three Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos Supreme with a Large Drink for $6.99.*

Pico de Gallo: Fresh diced tomatoes will be replacing pico de gallo. Guests can still order Fresco Style, which will soon mean swapping out nacho cheese sauce, shredded cheese, mayo-based sauces, and low-fat sour cream with tomatoes. Fresco style remains an option to reduce calories and fat, or to make an existing vegetarian item vegan.

Shredded Chicken: Shredded chicken will no longer be a protein option on menus, which means you will no loner be able to order a Shredded Chicken Soft Taco, Shredded Chicken Burrito, and Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt on November 5. Fans looking for similar options can try out the classic Chicken Quesadilla or the new Chicken Chipotle Melt.

Some of the menu items thought to be gone for good can still be ordered.

Quesarito: While the Quesarito may be gone from menu boards, you can still order the Quesarito digitally via the mobile app.

7 Layer-Burrito: The 7-Layer Burrito may be gone, but Taco Bell’s menu can be customized.

In July, Taco Bell announced they were removing 12 menu items and adding 2 others