Caramel Apple Empanada
Taco Bell discontinued its crispy caramel apple empanada in 2019. The sweet treat from the chain’s dessert menu featured a lush apple filling and creamy caramel notes, wrapped in a golden shell. Introduced in the early 2000s, the fan-favorite got the axe in 2019. However, it came back for a limited time as part of Taco Bell’s Decades Menu in November 2024.
Bell Beefer
The chain surprisingly sold a burger until the mid-‘90s. Dubbed the Bell Beefer, the meaty sloppy-joe style sandwich featured ground beef, shredded lettuce, onions, and mild taco sauce, all served on a hamburger bun. Fans could even upgrade to get tomatoes and sour cream. Discontinued in 1995, Taco Bell brought it back briefly in 2012. When it was brought back, the Bell Beefer was exclusively available in San Francisco, California. Not only did Taco Bell sell burgers—they also launched the Mexican Pizza (then dubbed the Pizzazz Pizza) in 1985. While discontinued in 2020, it came back permanently in 2022. Doja Cat and Dolly Parton even starred in a TikTok musical celebrating the beloved menu item’s return.
7-Layer Burrito
Taco Bell got rid of the creamy 7-layer burrito in 2020. The company created the fan-favorite loaded burrito to replicate the flavors of a 7-layer dip. While its detractors claim it tasted mushy, its loyal fans considered it a go-to vegetarian option. Introduced in 1993, the burrito disappeared from menus in 2020. Taco Bell discontinued many items in late 2020 to simplify its menu during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loaded Grillers
Snackable Loaded Grillers left the menu in 2020. The craving-inducing creations reimagined popular appetizers like chicken wings and loaded potato skins as grilled mini burritos. Meant as a snack instead of a meal, Loaded Grillers debuted in 2012. Taco Bell gave the mouth-watering bites the boot in 2020. A modified version of the Loaded Griller is still sold at Taco Bell locations in Malaysia.
Enchirito
Taco Bell discontinued the gooey Enchirito in 2013. An enchilada-burrito hybrid, the Enchirito lasted from 1970 to 2013. It featured the typical burrito fillings but was upgraded with a smothering of enchilada sauce and melty shredded cheese on top. Despite its impressive 4-decade run and popularity with fans, the messy menu item is now merely a fond memory. Taco Bell brought the Enchirito back in November 2022, but only for a limited time. Fans speculate the chain’s Smothered Burrito was meant to replace the Enchirito, but Taco Bell discontinued that, too.
Quesarito
The chain took the innovative Quesarito off the menu in 2023. As the name suggests, the Quesarito was a burrito wrapped in a quesadilla. Introduced in 2014, the cheesy creation quickly went viral online. In 2023, just nine years after its debut, Taco Bell discontinued the Quesarito.
Nacho Crunch Grilled Stuft Burrito
The Nacho Crunch Grilled Stuft Burrito (and other versions) left in 2019. Taco Bell launched the classic Grilled Stuft Burrito in 2001. Later on, they unveiled the XXL Grilled Stuft Burrito line. There were many variations, but none are as fondly missed as the Nacho Crunch Grilled Stuft Burrito—a limited-edition version sold from 2005 to 2006. Fans aren’t just nostalgic for the burrito itself, but for how cheap it was. Online posts on Reddit and other social media platforms express a longing for burritos of the same value. The Nacho Crunch Grilled Stuft Burrito went for $2.99 in 2006.
Meximelt
Taco Bell axed the ‘80s Meximelt in 2019. While not as elaborate as some of the chain’s other creations, the Meximelt gained fans because of its simplicity. The humble soft taco featured ground beef, a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey jack, and pico de gallo. While it was officially discontinued in 2019, fans were delighted when the Meximelt returned as part of the limited-edition Taco Bell Decades Menu in 2024.
XXL Chalupa
The XXL Chalupa appeared in 2010 and disappeared in 2011. While only available for a year, the mega-sized version of the Chalupa made quite a splash. Clocking in at 650 calories, the XXL offering featured a hefty serving of beef, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and sour cream. It could barely be contained within its fried masa shell. Taco Bell introduced the Double Chalupa, which fans interpreted as a remake of the XXL Chalupa, in 2017. However, it was only available for a limited time.
Double Decker Taco
The chain discontinued the two-layer Double Decker taco in 2019. Taco Bell debuted it in 1995 as part of a limited run before making it a permanent menu item in 2006. The Double Decker taco was a hard taco wrapped in a soft taco with a layer of refried beans in between. While it was discontinued in 2019, it came back for a limited time in December 2023. When Taco Bell does bring back discontinued items for limited-time special menus, it tends to be around the holidays. Pay extra close attention to their social media in October, November, and December.
Green Burrito
It’s unclear when Taco Bell discontinued its hit Green Burrito. Beloved for its slightly spicy green chili sauce, the Green Burrito had its heyday in the ‘70s but dropped off the menu somewhere down the line. Taco Bell brought it back as part of its limited-edition Decades Menu in 2024. It’s also known as the Green Sauce Burrito.
Volcano Taco
The Volcano Taco disappeared from the menu in 2012. Taco Bell’s Volcano Menu is unique because it debuted in 1995 as a promotional tie-in with the film Congo. The Volcano Taco debuted later, in 2008. Unfortunately, Taco Bell discontinued all Volcano items in 2012. While the menu made a brief return in 2023, it's unclear if it will ever return permanently.
Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco
Taco Bell took the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco off the menu in 2019. Doritos Locos Tacos came about in 2012, boasting tasty shells made from Doritos chips. While they were a mega-popular menu item in the early 2010s, the Cool Ranch variety got the axe in 2019. Thankfully, fans can taste it when it returns as part of Taco Bell’s 2025 Decades Menu. While there aren’t specific details yet, popular food-news Instagram account @snackbetch speculated that the 2025 Decades Menu will resurrect items from the ‘00s and ‘10s, including the Cool Ranch taco.
Waffle Taco
The controversial Waffle Taco lasted one year before being cut in 2015. The mid-2010s hosted what fast-food fans now refer to as the Breakfast Wars. To compete with McDonald’s, Taco Bell launched its creative breakfast menu in 2014. The Waffle Taco, a waffle wrapped around either a sausage patty or bacon with scrambled eggs, cheese, and syrup sauce, got a mixed reception. Taco Bell axed it in 2015, replacing it with the Biscuit Taco. In 2024, Taco Bell let its franchisees opt out of serving breakfast at their locations to simplify their menus. That’s why some Taco Bells might not offer breakfast, while others do.
Beefy Crunch Burrito with Flamin’ Hot Fritos
Taco Bell cut the Beefy Crunch Burrito from the menu in 2011. The indulgent burrito debuted in 2010, but only lasted a year before the chain discontinued it. Fans clamored for the return of the item, which featured Fritos Flamin’ Hot Flavored Corn Chips. While it’s made brief returns to the menu over the years—including as recently as 2023—there’s no sign it will make a permanent comeback.
Grilled Steak Soft Taco
The Grilled Steak Soft Taco left Taco Bell’s menu in 2020. In order to simplify the menu, Taco Bell discontinued many fan-favorite items in late 2020. One of these was the simple Grilled Steak Soft Taco. The original version was known for its creamy lime sauce, but at the time it was discontinued, it had avocado ranch sauce.
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadillas
Taco Bell discontinued these snack-sized quesadillas in 2020. The chain introduced the small version of a standard chicken quesadilla as part of its Dollar Cravings Menu in 2014. Fans found it to be a good value for the low price. Unfortunately, Taco Bell discontinued this and the beef version in early 2020. If you’re a Taco Bell fan living in the UK, you’re in luck. The chain still sells Mini Quesadillas at its UK locations.
Tostada
The crunchy tostada exited the menu in 2020. Of all the items Taco Bell has discontinued, none were quite as surprising as the tostada. The classic flat, crunchy tortilla debuted in 1962, making it one of the earliest Taco Bell items on the menu. After 60 years, Taco Bell axed the tostada as part of a wave of cuts made in late 2020. The tostada briefly returned in 2024 as part of Taco Bell’s Decades Menu.
Chili Cheese Burrito (Chilito)
Taco Bell took the Chili Cheese Burrito off the menu in the mid-1990s. The chain introduced the warm, gooey burrito in 1990 as part of its 59-79-99 deal, selling it for just 79 cents. Originally called the Chilito, the Chili Cheese Burrito featured spicy beef chili and melted cheese in a soft flour tortilla. Unfortunately, it disappeared from menus in the mid-1990s. While people have reported the Chili Cheese Burrito returning at select Taco Bell locations, it’s unclear if it’s set to ever return for good.
Gordita Supreme
Taco Bell discontinued its Gordita Supreme in 2019. The Tex-Mex chain debuted Gorditas, a kind of flatbread-wrapped soft taco, in 1998. They discontinued most of them in 2019. Diehard fans expressed nostalgia for the Beef Gordita Supreme, convincing Taco Bell to bring it back for their limited-edition Decades Menu in 2024. The only Gordita remaining on the menu today is the Cheesy Gordita Crunch.
Fiesta Taco Salad
The Fiesta Taco Salad left the menu in 2020. Stacking a medley of beef, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, rice, refried beans, tortilla strips, and sour cream onto a bowl-shaped crispy taco shell, Taco Bell’s Fiesta Taco Salad easily became a fan favorite upon its introduction in 1984. The chain discontinued its hit taco salad in 2020. Early marketing for the Fiesta Taco Salad featured a catchy jingle about how the menu item was a salad “in a bowl you can eat.”
Zesty Chicken Border Bowl
Taco Bell cut the Zesty Chicken Border Bowl around 2011. Arriving in the early 2000s, the bowl was similar to the Fiesta Taco Salad but without the shell. It featured grilled chicken, lettuce, rice, shredded cheese, and salsa, as well as a zesty ranch dressing. While it’s unclear exactly when Taco Bell discontinued the Zesty Chicken Bowl, a Change.org petition from 2012 requested its return.
Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito
Taco Bell’s Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito left the menu in 2024. The burrito debuted as part of Taco Bell’s Cravings Value Menu, a replacement for its Dollar Menu, in 2022. Coming in at just $2, the simple, flavorful burrito had many supporters. While Taco Bell discontinued it in 2024, they introduced a bevy of new items the same year.
Fiesta Veggie Burrito
The Fiesta Veggie Burrito exited Taco Bell’s menu in 2024. A popular vegetarian option from the chain, the Fiesta Veggie Burrito boasted black beans, guacamole, and chipotle sauce alongside the standard cheese and veggies. Like the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, it launched in 2022. Now, it lives no más—Taco Bell discontinued it in 2024.
Chicken Chipotle Melt
Taco Bell discontinued the basic Chicken Chipotle Melt in 2024. The Chicken Chipotle Melt was one of the chain’s less elaborate menu items, which explains why it retailed for just a dollar when it first came out. Nothing more than a plain flour tortilla, cheese, grilled chicken, and a chipotle sauce, the humble item fell victim to a wave of menu cuts in late 2024.
Beefy Melt Burrito
Taco Bell cut the cheesy Beefy Melt Burrito from the menu in 2024. Debuting in 2022, the small burrito stood out because it was loaded with nacho cheese sauce. It also had a blend of shredded mozzarella, pepper jack, and cheddar. Cheese lovers who adored this burrito were dismayed by its discontinuation in 2024. The Cheesy Double Beef Burrito remains on the menu as a nice alternative.
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