I am 50 years old and I'm about to try Taco Bell for the first time. What should I try first?
A Taco Bell finally opened up where I live, and we are going to go try it tonight. What should I try and what should I avoid?
Of course I know I should try another restaurant and avoid Taco Bell, that's too obvious, but what is life without a little Adventure.
LOL, OP could not have found a better answer.
/thread
I have never eaten at taco bell before but now I feel like I have. Thank you for this high effort as fuck post.
You should do a food critic video series.
This is the best, most comprehensive review on Taco Bell this planet has ever seen.
OP, listen to this man, he knows his Taco Bell.
Bruh lmao
I chortled at the churros lolol
It's disgusting, but in a good way.
Accurate
Pretty sure fiesta strips are just tortilla strips?
Taco Bell doesn't deserve the hate it gets
I knew a health inspector. He commented that guaranteed the cleanest restaurant kitchen in every town was a taco bell. Apparently they aggressively train employees and managers to clean way more than other restaurants.
The "fiesta strips" are just corn chips.
Shhhhh, they're a party in your mouth.
An amazing comment! Thanks!
You didn't mention the peak of Taco Bell food, the crunch wrap supreme! The breakfast crunch wrap is also very good for what it is.
I've been getting the same three things at Taco Bell for the last 30 years. This has inspired me to branch out.
Dude, what the hell. I feel sorry for your anus and I didn't even read what you said.
Marijuana
Probably 90% of their food is the same stuff wrapped up in a different shape, they're spooning the same meat into the tacos as the burritos as the crunch wrap etc.
So if your goal is to get a full sense of what taco bell has to offer, get a hard taco, a soft taco, a Doritos taco, and a chalupa, mix and match the meats, sauces, and other toppings, and you'll have a pretty representative sample of most of the menu.
As far as personal recommendations, I like steak chalupas, chicken crunchwraps with chipotle sauce, any variety of their grilled burrito, and their cinnamon twists. Sometimes they have a limited time specialty item that's pretty good, not sure what they're pushing now but always worth checking out what they have.
I will also say that if you don't get a Baja blast you're doing it wrong
I would add 5 layer burrito to that mix, to really capture diarrhea you get from the unholy combination of ground meat, nacho cheese, and sour cream.
My boyfriend is a Taco Bell fanatic. I asked him and he told me "a grilled cheese burrito, a crunchwrap supreme, and nacho fries if they have them". Enjoy!
Appreciate the recommendation.
Cheesy Gordita Crunch and Crunchwrap Supreme.
I'm also a fan of the Beefy Five-Layer Burrito positively smothered in Fire sauce.
I’m also a fan of the Beefy Five-Layer Burrito positively smothered in Fire sauce.
I don't know if it's everywhere, but the Diablo sauce has a better flavor in my opinion. I am a sucker for the Beefy Five-Layer Burrito though.
Cheesy Gordita Crunch is the correct answer, but probably best to also try basic items just for comparison.
I remember the dark days when the Cheesy Gordita Crunch was a limited time offer and it kept going away and coming back. I would always go A LOT when it showed back up. So glad it seems to be a stable staple now.
Oh! And fwiw - they actually sell the Fiesta sauce in some grocery stores now... that is one of the key ingredients that makes it so good. That sauce goes well on/in so many things.
Yesssssss thissss!!!
Cheesey Gordita Crunch with the Doritos Locos taco inside!
Dunno fam. You might be too old to start eating taco bell. U might die.
Spicy potato soft taco. Small item overshadowed by others, but a solid go to when you want something small. Potatoes, spicy ranch and lettuce in a soft tortilla. Nothing fancy, just tasty.
This has always been my go to. Cheap easy and tasty.
When going to a KFC combo, it's also fun to get some fried chicken to add into the taco.
First step of being new to Taco Bell:
My favorite thing is the Chicken Baja Gordita, it's an older menu item that they will still make, love the baja sauce.
Taco Bell is a unique style of crap that's pretty good. I'd go for the classics: a beef taco and a bean burrito. Maybe a bowl of pinto beans. Everything needs to be covered in the packets of hot sauce. The hot and fire are the only good ones (I'm going by memories from the 90s btw).
I've never found an acceptable substitute for their nacho cheese sauce (sure it's probably basically plastic. But it's plastic I crave) or the chalupa shells. Nothing is close to either of those.
I'm a big quesarito fan, but I'm basically happy with my own of that.
This is the answer. It's only remarkable if you can't quickly get tacos anywhere else. It's kind of its own thing, though and it sort of hits the spot sometimes.
If I actually want Tex-Mex fast food, living in Texas I'd usually take any of the following before Taco Bell:
There is another taco place in town, but its absolute ass. Tbell was about on parr with a store bought taco kit, and I'm ok with that.
Imodium
Mexican pizza before they take it off the menu again. Also, ask for all of the hot sauces. The workers won't care.
BRING BACK THE DAMNED FIESTA VEGGIE BURRITO, TACO BELL. YOU HAVE THE INGREDIENTS.
Their breakfast burritos are good, cheap, and a great value for your money. Use their app, and you can get free stuff regularly, too.
EDIT: I'm talking about their lowest tier breakfast burritos. The higher levels are not worth it.
Any burrito that contains fritos or potatoes is a good choice.
They used to have the chili cheese burrito with Fritos. That shit was amazing. My Taco Bell still has the chili cheese burrito, but no Fritos. It's a travesty.
You need to build up tolerance first. Go slow with a simple taco, otherwise you digestion gonna do civil war.
I tried it for the first time a few months ago and it just tasted like a cheap supermarket taco kit. I'm in no rush to go back.
That’s really all I was expecting. We have another place called Taco Time that cant even live up to store bought. So Tbell is certainly an improvement.
THEY DISCONTINUED MY FAVORITE ITEM: THE 7 LAYER BURRITO. BRING IT BACK TACO BELL, YOU HEAR?
I personally love the tacos because they are cheap tacos. There is a lot of flavor, but it's simple. I'm also a fan of the crunchwrap supreme. The crunch paired with the soft outside it delightful. I always order the 12 pack, all soft shell, and a crunchwrap. I used to get two steak quesoritos instead of the crunchwrap, but I think they're gone, or they're too expensive. Diablo sauce isn't tasty, avoid it even if you like spicy. The fire is the best balance imo, but I would like more heat personally.
what should I try
The restaurant next door.
That still might give you the shits by association. Best go to the next block.
I didn't realize lemmy was popular enough to bother advertising on yet.
What did you get and how was it?
Tried the chicken chalupa and fries. Not bad.
Try to prepare for disappointment. I was never a huge fan, but would have it occasionally. Had it for the first time in a decade or so a few years ago and didn't enjoy any part of the meal (various different stuff at an office party) :P
If you enjoy it, that's wonderful; it's just never really been a thing I look forward to, and I hope you don't have too good an image in your head.
It was definitely better than the other taco place we have.
That is both good and horrifying, but I'm glad you have something better :)
Taco bells menu is like 10 different ingredients combined in various ways, it nearly all tastes identical with the exception of the various protein options (I suggest vegetarian).
Yes! Taco Bell is the go-to fast food restaurant for vegetarians. I suggest the black bean chalupa supreme, veggie mexican pizza, and cheesy fiesta potatoes. Unfortunately, that meal and a beverage will probably cost about $17 usd these days
It absolutely is NOT the go-to for vegetarians any more.
They took out most of their vegetarian options recently (within the last month) to make way for their "new" value menu. You know....the menu that is now more expensive and doesn't have the good options.
I'm partial to the beefy 5 layer burrito and the cheesy bean and rice burrito.
@lazylionca it's a fast food version of Mexican.
I like crunchy tacos with one packet of hot sauce per taco. Crunchy taco supreme is good. Burrito Supreme is good, too.
Sauce is very important, though. You have to have it. Start with the hot sauce (orange packets), and work your way up if you need to. They used to have green sauce that was pretty good, but it's only available in grocery stores now. 🙄
For a drink, you need to try a Baja Blast. It's like their signature thing. Very sweet, has its own flavor you can't really describe.
Just keep in mind that it's fast food. It's not casual fast like Chipotle or Panera - - more Macdonald's or Wendy's.
One thing Taco Bell has had over a lot of fast food places for a long time is that vegetarians and vegans can actually get edible meals there. It's basically all of the same ingredients, just mixed around differently.
They also have bowls you can get. They're not terrible. I prefer my old standard menu items that haven't changed in 40 years, though.
The other thing that just occurred to me - - most of us in the thread responding to you are suggesting their old timey comfort favorites. I'm no different (54 years old and had my first Taco Bell when I was 9), so at 50, your palate may not understand or have the associations with this place that ours do.
I'm really curious what you're going to think about it, though. I think most people going in with realistic expectations don't wind up hating it, though.
Quesadilla with extra creamy jalapeno sauce.
Try the taco
No no, try the bell.
Dorito locos tacos, or DLT as the workers summarize for me but I am too embarrassed to use myself
If they have it (not all locations do), the chili cheese burrito.
..and a mexican pizza. Luckily the store by me has both in vast quantities. I'm only good for 1 or the other, every few months. I'm trying to cut out ulcer causing foods.
Mexican pizza is my anchor menu choice - everything else is just sides. So glad they brought it back.
Baja Blast with whatever you get. Its the best god damn thing about taco bell and im STILL FUCKING PISSED IT LOST THAT ELECTION TO BE YEAR ROUND IN STORS LIKE 7 YEARS AGO
Get quantity over quality (many small tacos)
Live mas
I did consider getting the party pack, but I wasn’t ten taco hungry tonight.
😄 Hope you enjoyed what you got!
I recommend Charmin Ultra Strong.
You've got some people saying you gotta slather it in the hot sauces, and other people saying to get ready to have the shits.
Uh, you can avoid the shits by not using the hot sauces.
Cheesy Gordita Crunch with the nacho cheese shell on the inside.
I can recommend the Chalupa and Crunch Wrap Supreme
Have you ever had real Mexican food? Taco Bell is a not a good introduction.
What makes you think that because they've never had Taco Bell they've never had Mexican food at all?
A Seven-layer Steak Burrito & a beef meximelt..... about 12 years ago....
The chicken chalupa is pretty good.
I like the doritos tacos
Crunch wrap & fries supreme (🇨🇦)
The fries supreme are just a shadow of their former self though, 20 years ago they were the best fast food item you could get
I hope you have some Charmin ultra soft ready to go for tomorrow morning
Beef chalupa
The jizz, shit, and piss burrito is a classic.
I feel like the crunchy tacos there are such a staple of their menu, that I'd start there
Going to a real taco restaurant.
Steak grilled cheese burrito
Soft shell tacos. Easy and does great with any of the sauces. I usually do two fire sauce and one diablo per taco.
All I get at Taco Bell any more is the steak power bowl and the cheese potatoes. The bowl is basically just a deconstructed burrito and the cheesy potatoes are cubed, fried potatoes covered in nacho cheese and sour cream.
Their French fries are also hella good; they're like their own kind of cheese dust covered fry. But the cheese potatoes are just better
Ive definitely had way worse fries.
Honestly? Just their basic tacos. Maybe the Doritos version if they still have those. But just get a couple of the hard tacos with some Fire sauce. If you like those, you may like other things on the menu; if you don’t, you probably won’t like any of it. They’re Taco Bell distilled.
Tacos
All the people who are clearly getting food poisoning from their local Taco Bells should really report them.
It's not normal to get diarrhea from eating out, even at Taco Bell.
Doritos locos tacos supreme with hot sauce, chicken quesadilla with extra sauce, cheesy gordita crunch.
Prayer
crunchwarp supreme, double decker taco, and the dorritis shell tako
My location replaced the double decker with some other double bullshit with nacho cheese and those dumb crispy tortilla strips
The $5 box if they have it. Maybe in the app or online.
a better restaurant would be the best thing to try first.
I tried it for the first time at 38? It isn't great but certainly a way to get a calorie bomb into you relatively cheaply. Arguably better than some fast food alternatives which is a low bar. IIRC I was a fan of the crunch wrap but the straight basic burritos are a way better value.
It certainly wasn’t mind blowing, but there was nothing bad about it.
What's up with the word filter? A little bit much, Even some innocuous words like tonlght, (I misspelled with an L) I get the intent though
Wrong post?
Nah, but apparently it's just me. either the instance, or maybe the app, just the first case I've seen.
Do we have a c/LostLemmimgs yet?
If not, this could be the inaugural post.
??? Must be something specific to your instance. I am seeing no effects of word filters.
Weird, lots of words have removed in their place, from what I can tell some replace the letters removed, and some replace shit. I guess it's the instance, just weird I haven't noticed anywhere else.
The guy must have served, and still has some old habits from the Franchise Wars
That the toilet facilities are up to (your) standard.
No matter what you get you have to get hot sauce, and definitely not mild.
A time machine.
Go back 5 years when everything still tasted good. Cuz idk what they did since pandemic hit, adding grasshoppers to the beef or something, but its not good anymore. Its weird-meh.
Bruh.
It's probably that your sense of taste has changed, not their ingredients.
You may have long covid.
Don’t.
Pretty much any other food outlet, that way you'll not be disappointed. I've no idea about your country but Taco Bell in the UK is expensive and poor quality.
So... exactly the same as the US
Black bean chalupa
Cyanide. It'll save you a lot of trouble.
Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper.
They had to invent the three seashells.
Existing wiping technology became inadequate after every restaurant became taco bell.
you should try not
You should avoid Taco Bell...
The Exit, and the Food.
j/k (...except not that:-P)
You can try to find a Chipotle instead, and get one of their delicious burritos?
Taco Smell is best-known for being (a) cheap, and uh... oh also, (b) leading the world in how little meat processed byproduct they can put into something and still call it "beef" (I think the answer is 0% now, but when it started it was like 1/3rd iirc).
You know your digestive tract better than anyone, but I would suggest some kind of a variety pack. Like all Mexican-inspired cardboard food products (Mexico would legit and rightly go to war with anyone daring to call that Mexican food btw:-P), aside from the more special and unique items, it's mostly the same ingredients inside (with varying spices added) but what makes it present different is the crunch factor, which really does impact the experience.
Seriously though, if it were me I would go earlier in the day, b/c putting that stuff into your gut late in the day for anyone over 20 sometimes does not sit well. Though it is... tasty, and you will enjoy trying something different:-P (but no lie, better for lunch than dinner).
Have fun with it!
Taco Smell is best-known for being (a) cheap,
Except the really aren't anymore.
Oh. Good point. I guess I haven't been in sth like the last 5 years. But even if it costs more now, the food itself is still "cheap" quality, amiright!:-P
Chipotle is ass. Easily the worst of the burrito shops that I've been to. Honestly can't think of a worse option.
Meh, but the comparison here is vs. Taco Bell, so keep that in mind. Both are fast food but one is real food and the other is "cellulose fibers" that I'm not sure anyone truly knows what that means:-P. Delicious but... an abomination of science nonetheless.
Also, Chipotle is best when it is fresh, so at a slow shop during an off-time, yeah. I've never found that it matters for Taco Bell though.
Crunch wrap supreme.
This and the mini Cinnabon balls, holy shit
First two comments is my usual order. I can feel the validation washing over me.
"Taco Testicles"
This, OP. If you're going to do this to yourself, at least do it right.
You live at your office?
Given your username, I'd think you'd be partial to the breakfast crunch wrap that comes with a coffee as an option for the drink.
Crunch wrap, sub chicken for beef. I love that thing.
This is the correct answer