Taco Bell has introduced plenty of new (and old!) items to its nationwide menu. However, it has also quietly discontinued five fan favorites. Let’s take a look at what customers will no longer be able to enjoy.
The Rise and Fall of the Beloved Chipotle Chicken Burrito at Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s decision to remove the popular Chipotle Chicken Burrito from its menu has left many fans distraught and yearning for its return. This classic menu item, with its zesty chipotle sauce and mouthwatering blend of flavors, developed an almost cult-like following during its tenure at the fast food chain. Its abrupt discontinuation is a cautionary tale of how even beloved menu items are not immune from sudden removal based on corporate strategy and shifting consumer preferences.
The Life and Times of the Chipotle Chicken Burrito
The Chipotle Chicken Burrito quickly became a fan favorite at Taco Bell after it was added to the menu in the early 2000s. Shredded chicken, rice, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and a blend of three cheeses were wrapped up in a warm flour tortilla and made it taste great. It had just the right mix of tastes and textures in every bite. Many customers made it their go-to order because it was cheap and had a flavor they couldn’t resist. With prices around $2 per burrito, it was a cheap and filling way to eat.
Over nearly two decades on the menu, the burrito developed a reputation as a dependable choice for customers looking to appease their Taco Bell cravings without breaking the bank. Its spicy yet cool chipotle sauce perfectly complemented the hearty chicken and rice filling. Though other burritos and menu items came and went, the Chipotle Chicken Burrito remained a mainstay for many loyal Taco Bell patrons. Its disappearance from the menu left a noticeable void in the hearts, minds and stomachs of its devotees nationwide.
The Sudden Discontinuation of a Favorite
Around the beginning of 2023, Taco Bell decided to take the Chipotle Chicken Burrito off of its menu. The news came out of the blue, with no warning or tour to say goodbye to the much-loved menu item. The company said that the burrito and a few other items, like the Beefy Melt Burrito and the Quesarito, were taken off the menu as part of a larger plan to simplify and restructure the menu.
While savvy social media users detected hints that the burrito’s days were numbered as some locations phased it out, its official discontinuation still came as a shock. Devastated customers took to the internet to eulogize the burrito, posting nostalgic photos and lamenting the loss of their go-to order. A cry arose among fans begging Taco Bell to bring their beloved burrito back. Alas, their pleas have so far been ignored by the fast food giant.
Why Did the Burrito Get the Boot?
Taco Bell has indicated that the Chipotle Chicken Burrito was cut due to poor sales performance compared to other menu items. Industry insiders also point to larger shifts in the fast-food landscape as a factor including rising ingredient costs and changing consumer preferences. The days of the basic chicken burrito may be numbered across the industry as emerging food trends dictate more diversified, innovative options.
The discontinuation may also have been spurred by a desire to streamline operations and simplify ingredient sourcing. Though a long-time favorite among devotees, the Chipotle Chicken Burrito likely didn’t have the sales velocity or profit margin of core menu items. As Taco Bell and other chains look to boost efficiency and cut costs, paring down the menu is a common strategy. Unfortunate as it may be, the humble burrito appears to have gotten caught in the crosshairs.
Could This Burrito Make a Comeback?
Customers’ passionate praise on social media shows that there is still a hunger for this burrito. Before, Taco Bell was willing to bring back limited-time versions of old favorites. For example, the Enchirito item was brought back, and Nacho Fries were brought back. There’s no doubt that the company knows how to use nostalgia to get its fans involved.
A well-executed viral campaign by burrito devotees could light a fire under Taco Bell to consider a short-term Chipotle Chicken Burrito comeback. Other brands have revived discontinued cult favorites, like McDonald’s McRib sandwich, based on popular demand. For now, Taco Bell remains mum about the burrito’s future. But in the fast-moving world of fast-food menus, no discontinuation is necessarily permanent.
One thing is certain – the loss of the Chipotle Chicken Burrito has left a fiesta-sized hole in the hearts and stomachs of Taco Bell’s loyal patrons. Spicy, saucy, and infinitely crave-worthy, its brief but brilliant menu tenure won’t soon be forgotten by those who added fire and flavor to their Taco Bell experience with each mouthwatering bite. Should it return, even for a limited run, devotees far and wide will surely flock to indulge in this iconic and tasty burrito once more.
Taco Bell Discontinued These Fan Favorites
Allrecipes is reporting that Taco Bell discontinued the following fan favorites:
- One of the five dishes that have been taken off the menu is the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito. This was the dish that many fans looked forward to the most. Several Change. There were org petitions calling for the fast-food chain to bring it back.
- For the Beefy Melt Burrito, seasoned ground beef, Fiesta Strips, seasoned rice, sour cream, a three-cheese blend, and nacho cheese sauce were put on a basic tortilla. It’s still possible to get the Cheesy Double Beef Burrito, but maybe not in its original form.
- The Fiesta Veggie Burrito came with sour cream, a three-cheese blend, tomatoes, guacamole, Fiesta Strips, black beans, seasoned rice, and a creamy chipotle sauce. “We urge Taco Bell not only as customers but also as supporters of plant-based food options in mainstream restaurants,” a Change.org petition said. org petition to bring the item back. “Please bring back the Fiesta Veggie Burrito or come up with another vegetarian burrito that tastes just as good.” ”.
- Chicken Chipotle Melt: The Chicken Chipotle Melt, a flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken and cheddar cheese, was no longer available. It was topped with Chipotle sauce. People really like the melt; it was only $1 when it first came out.
- You could get a drink, a specialty item (like the Black Bean Chalupa, Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme, or Cheese Quesadilla) and a smaller classic item (like the Bean Burrito, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, or Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito) for $5. You could also choose a side dish or dessert.
Taco Bell® CHIPOTLE RANCH GRILLED CHICKEN BURRITO Review Is It Worth $2? Peep THIS Out! ️♂️
FAQ
What burrito did Taco Bell discontinue?
Taco Bell got rid of the creamy 7-layer burrito in 2020. – Introduced in 1993, the burrito disappeared from menus in 2020.
Why did Taco Bell remove shredded chicken burrito?
Why did Taco Bell get rid of their shredded chicken? Taco Bell discontinued their shredded chicken menu items, including the shredded chicken burrito, in 2020 as part of a menu streamlining process to simplify operations.
Did Taco Bell get rid of their chicken nuggets already?
Yes, Taco Bell did remove their Crispy Chicken Nuggets from the menu. They were available for a limited time, starting in December 2024, and were discontinued relatively quickly.
Did Taco Bell get rid of the 7 layer burrito?
Taco Bell changed its menu a few things, and unfortunately for vegans everywhere, they got rid of their seven-layer burrito and potatoes.
Did Taco Bell discontinue grilled chicken burritos?
Let’s take a look at what customers will no longer be able to enjoy. On Allrecipes, it says that Taco Bell has taken off the menu the following popular items: Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito: Many fans thought this was the most notable of the five items that were taken off the menu.
Why did Chipotle discontinue grilled chicken burritos?
“However, with the addition of some new, even more satiating items, the brand removed some others like the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito to make room for new innovations on the menu,” the statement continued.
Did a Chipotle Ranch Burrito make the cut?
According to a statement from Taco Bell, the Chipotle Ranch burrito just didn’t make the cut. It gets worse, too. Joining the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito in the Más Graveyard are the Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, Chicken Chipotle Melt, and $5 Classic Combo.
Does Chipotle have chicken burritos?
All four items were absent from the menu on Jan. 12. There was grilled chicken, fiesta strips, avocado ranch sauce, creamy chipotle sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheddar cheese in the Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito. It was wrapped in a warm flour tortilla.
Does Taco Bell have a burrito?
Some customers considered the burrito one of the best options on the Taco Bell menu, so it should come as no surprise that fans are devastated to see it go. “Taco Bell why do you do this to me,” a customer lamented in response to the discontinuation on Reddit. “I just need to mourn for a minute,” another wrote.
Which Taco Bell items have been discontinued?
The other Taco Bell items that have also been discontinued are the Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, Chicken Chipotle Melt, and $5 Classic Combo. All four items were absent from the menu on Jan. 12.