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Taco Bell fans know that the chain often tests potential new menu items on a smaller scale before releasing them nationwide. This week I got a peek inside and the chance to sample a few of these cool ideas, including two new take on Mexican pizzas, the $2 Chicken Poblano Caesar Burrito and Chicken Wings crispies from the new Ultimate Game Day box. The pizzas and burrito are still in the testing phase, but the Ultimate Game Day Box, which includes the Crispy Chicken Wings, will launch on January 26.
Many Taco Bell customers were thrilled when Mexican pizza returned to the permanent menu last year, and they’ll be happy to hear there might be more in store for the cult classic. I had direct access to two new variations of the pizza – a Mexican Jalapeño Cheese Pizza and a Mexican Triple Crunch Pizza. These two new products have been in the test phase in stores in Oklahoma and Nebraska since the end of 2022.
Next on the “potentially coming soon” list, and the chain’s latest addition to the sizable value menu, is a $2 Chicken Poblano Caesar Burrito. This item is exclusively tested in Charlotte, NC. Plus, I got a taste of the Ultimate Game Day Box, including the iconic crispy queso-flavored chicken wings launching as a limited-time offer for the second year in a row starting January 26. until February 9 (or while supplies last).
Here’s what I thought about the look, taste, and overall what to expect, when and if these items arrive at a Taco Bell near you.
Cheesy Jalapeño Mexican Pizza is an upgraded version of the original Taco Bell pizza. It comes in layers like the original but with double the cheese (from a mix of the base three cheese blend and Nacho cheese sauce) and lots of slices of spicy jalapeños.
The look: At first glance, this pizza might be a sight. The melted cheese was dripping on all sides and the fresh color of the tomatoes and jalapeños had my taste buds eagerly awaiting the first bite. I tried it freshly made, but after sitting at my table for about 30 minutes it started to dry out in places and look soggy in others (not so pretty).
Taste: I was very excited to try this variation of pizza for one reason and one reason only: the spicy jalapeños. But they are much milder than expected and are mainly there to add to the overall flavor instead of adding heat. On another note, the extra cheese in this pizza makes a huge positive difference! If the original Mexican pizza is getting old for you, try this one for the extra toppings and a pop of flavor.
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Mexican Triple Crunch Pizza is a three layer pizza made with beans and seasoned beef between each crispy shell.
The look: This twist on the Mexican pizza was the least appetizing of all the new items, due to the lack of new stuff and the little sauce/cheese that came with it. However, right off the bat, I could tell there was a lot going on in the middle due to its thickness and density when I took a slice.
Taste: As for the extra crispiness of this pizza, I thought it had a great overall variety of textures. However, I could only take a bite or two before desperately looking for something to drink. It’s way too dry because of the extra beans and meat. While there is some of the chain’s signature red sauce on top, there isn’t enough to cover what’s inside all three layers.
Compared to the other two versions, this pizza does not offer much novelty. It has the same ingredients and the same flavor, but a little too much to be enjoyable.
After all the controversy surrounding this Chicken Caesar Burrito and the debate over whether it was actually a wrap, I was very intrigued. Inside her warm tortilla, you’ll find grilled chicken, Caesar poblano sauce, fresh lettuce, fiesta tortilla strips, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese.
The look: From the outside, it looks like your average burrito. After finally getting to the middle I realized this was one of the healthiest Taco Bell menu items I had ever seen – the interior was bright and refreshing to see. It’s small, but that wasn’t surprising considering the low price of $2.
Taste: For those wondering if this burrito was secretly just a wrap, I’d say it definitely goes in that direction. The veggies taste fresh and light and the crispy fiesta tortilla strips top it all off. Also, since most Taco Bell items contain ground beef, I completely forgot how tender and juicy the chain’s chicken is! This burrito was filling without being heavy, which might make it one of my new favorites if/when it gets added to the permanent menu in the future.
Coated in Mexican queso seasoning and a light breading that’s fried to crispy perfection, these chicken wings will be reintroduced (alongside their convenient, spicy ranch dip) to nationwide menus for a limited time on January 26.
The look: The wings were completely coated in cheese seasoning, but they still looked both vibrant and crispy. There was also a wonderful mix of drums and flats, which I thought true wing fans would enjoy. As for the tangy ranch on the side, it’s dense and full of big additions and spice.
Taste: Taco Bell really hit this fried chicken on the nose, every wing I ate was flaky and had incredible crunch. The flavors that come from Mexican queso dust and other spices are very unique. Unfortunately, when it came to the sidekick of the dip, I wasn’t a fan at all. This completely takes away the pristine flavor of the wings. They’re also not super spicy, but they do have more spiciness than T-Bell’s jalapeños. Luckily, the Mexican fast food chain has a ton of other sauces and dips (maybe nacho cheese??) you can choose from on the regular menu.
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