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Taco Bell
Discontinued: 2013
The Enchirito was a hybrid of an enchilada with a burrito, a dish that anchored Taco Bell’s early menu identity. It contained seasoned beef, beans, and diced onions—smothered in red sauce and topped with cheese. Originally, three olive slices crowned each Enchirito—something its 2000 revival did not have. The item’s cultural impact warranted its own Wikipedia page. Taco Bell discontinued the Enchirito many times, but persistent customer demand forced multiple limited returns, including a 2022 comeback where it won a vote against the Double Decker Taco.
Discontinued: 2020
“Pizzazz Pizza” first appeared in Taco Bell kitchens during the Reagan era. Two crispy tortillas sandwiched beans and beef, creating a platform for pizza sauce, melted cheese, and diced tomatoes. Its November 2020 removal ignited backlash, with nearly 200,000 signatures demanding its return. Why the cut? Taco Bell cited environmental concerns, specifically the specialized container generating over 7 million pounds of annual paperboard waste. But, by May 2022, the Mexican Pizza reappeared on menus, with many locations selling out.
Discontinued: 2019
NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon starred in 1995 commercials introducing the Double Decker Taco. It was a crunchy taco inside a soft flour tortilla with refried beans. After proving its staying power, Taco Bell permanently added it in 2006. It remained until the great menu purge of 2019, though it briefly returned in December 2023.
Discontinued: 1986
Glen Bell once tried to beat burger joints at their own game. His “Chiliburger,” renamed “Bell Burger” in 1969 and finally “Bell Beefer” in 1979, essentially deconstructed a taco and reassembled it on a hamburger bun. Seasoned ground beef formed the base, topped with diced onions, shredded lettuce, and mild sauce. Cheese and tomato became optional additions in later iterations. But by 1986, Taco Bell refocused on Tex-Mex offerings, eliminating the burger.
Discontinued: 2019
After Taco Bell’s original Doritos partnership yielded the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco in 2012, the Cool Ranch version followed in 2013. The tacos used Cool Ranch Doritos chips as a taco shell containing seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheese. The Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos sold over 100 million units within its first year, but Taco Bell eliminated it in September 2019.
Discontinued: 2020
Vegetarians once celebrated this protein-rich burrito. When Taco Bell introduced the 7-Layer Burrito in 1993, meat-free fast food options were scarce. The burrito was layered with refried beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, cheese, and sour cream. August 2020 brought its removal during COVID-related menu streamlining. But UK Taco Bell locations continued serving it.
Discontinued: 2020
Taco Bell’s 2004 Caramel Apple Empanada challenged McDonald’s apple pie dominance with a crispy fried pastry containing cinnamon-spiced apples and smooth caramel sauce. For sixteen years, this one-dollar treat was beloved by all before being cut. The empanada briefly reappeared during the 2024 “Decades Menu” promotion, and inflation had tripled its price to $2.99.
Discontinued: 2016
Red shells signaled genuine heat. Before colored taco shells became common, the Volcano Taco’s crimson exterior warned of the spicy experience within. Launched in 2008, this fiery creation contained ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and “Lava Sauce”—a spicy concoction of jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and chipotle. Though discontinued in 2016, Paris Hilton later promoted its brief 2023 return with her signature “that’s hot!” catchphrase.
Discontinued: 2019
Simple elegance defined this three-decade menu item. The Meximelt combined only essential elements: seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, and pico de gallo. Each was wrapped in a soft tortilla and grilled until melted perfection. Its minimalist approach yielded maximum flavor satisfaction for over thirty years. When it was gone, fans continued to try to recreate it in their kitchens.
Discontinued: 2020
The Nacho Fries were launched with Hollywood-style marketing. Movie trailer parodies starring Josh Duhamel promoted the new offering. These seasoned fries, dusted with Mexican spices and served alongside nacho cheese dipping sauce, became the most successful product launch in company history, selling 53 million orders within five weeks. Though deleted during the pandemic, the fries continue to be rereleased occasionally.
Discontinued: 2020
Diced, fried, seasoned, then smothered. Unlike standard french fries, Taco Bell’s potato offering featured cubed potatoes deep-fried and coated with proprietary spices, then topped with nacho cheese sauce and sour cream. Their August 2020 removal triggered an immediate backlash. In a rare corporate admission, Taco Bell announced their January 2021 return with a candid acknowledgment: “We definitely heard from our fans” and “underestimated how many vegetarians relied on our potatoes.”
Discontinued: 2020
Among Glen Bell’s original creations was the Tostada. The 1962 Tostada featured a flat, crispy corn tortilla layered with refried beans, lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and red sauce. At just 19 cents (about $2 today), the Tostada was Mexican-inspired food for the masses. It disappeared quietly during August 2020’s pandemic-driven menu reductions. October 2024 brought its revival through the “Decades Menu” promotion.
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