Episode 228: Limited Edition Taco Bell

We like to punish ourselves a lot on Quest for the Best. And some people will think today is no exception, as we are trying Taco Bell.This is not the first time we have had Taco Bell, so today we are trying some Limited Edition menu items.

Which menu items will we be trying?

* Steak Double Dipping Burritos

* Slow Roasted Chicken Double Dipping Burritos

* Creamy Chipotle Crispy Chicken Crunch Wrap Slider

* Creamy Sriracha Chicken Nacho Fries

* Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada

Who is brave enough to battle it out?

* Matthew, aka Sir Matthew the Tall.

* Kris, #2.

* Matt, Fergalicious.

* Amy, off the rails.

The History of Taco Bell

Taco Bell was originated in California. It was founded by Glen Bell, who opened the first Taco Bell restaurant in 1962 in Downey California. Before opening this restaurant, he owned and operated a hamburger stand called Bell’s Hamburgers. In 1954, Bell opened his first Taco stand, Taco Tia.

When Glen Bell opened his first Taco Bell, he served his Tacos on his own invention - the Crunchy Taco Shell. He was trying to figure out the best way to sell large amounts of tacos quickly, and came up with the pre-formed crunchy shell. They could be made ahead of time and kept at room temperature, speeding up service.

It didn’t take long for the franchise to take off, and by 1967, Taco Bell had 100 locations. In 1978, with 868 Taco Bell locations, Glen Bell sold to PepsiCo. For $125 million.

If not inventing pre-formed taco shells was enough, Taco Bell also pioneered the concept of linking fast-food marketing promotions with major movie blockbusters. In 1989, Taco Bell campaigned with Batman, which was a huge success. Taco Bell ran a promotion all summer involving Batman Collector Cups. Customers who ordered a large drink would get one of the collectible plastic Batman cups. Sales skyrocketed thanks to the promotion.

In 1997, the new parent of Taco Bell, Tricon, Declared its independence from the PepsiCo conglomerate. Today Taco Bell has 7515 locations and is in all 50 states. California leads the way with the number of Taco Bells, 964. Followed by Texas and Florida with 590 and 387 stores. In our great state of Iowa, there are 53 locations. And don’t forget about the most infamous Taco Bell location in Iowa, the Blairs Ferry Road location in Cedar Rapids, where in 2015 an active methamphetamine lab was found inside. According to the criminal complaint, police found an active lab with fuel, lye, drain cleaner, and other items used to make meth, along with 1 or 2 grams of meth at the scene.

Taco Bell has trade marked the Soft Taco Supreme, Crunchy Taco Supreme, Nachos Bell Grande, Burrito Supreme, and the crunch wrap supreme.

The Results

**SPOILER ALERT!**

Listen to the episode first if you do not want the results revealed to you yet!

Creamy Sriracha Chicken Nacho Fries

* Matthew: “I already plan on buying these fries on Monday for lunch.”

* Amy: “Good Sriracha flavor.”

* Kris: “The nacho comes out on it for sure.”

* Matt: “It reminds me of hot fries.”

Steak Double Dipping Burritos

* Matthew: “The ratio of sauce to burrito is insane.”

* Amy: “I don’t like the crunches.”

* Kris: “This feels like a $1.99 menu item.”

* Matt: “I might order this one.”

Slow Roasted Chicken Double Dipping Burritos

* Matthew: “Okay, not worth the price.”

* Amy: “The chicken texture is really bizarre.”

* Kris: “I don’t like the flavor of that chicken.”

* Matt: “It’s still sliming around in my mouth.”

Creamy Chipotle Crispy Chicken Crunch Wrap Slider

* Matthew: “I got a pico corner on this.”

* Amy: “This isn’t bad but the chicken is super dry.”

* Kris: “This is dry as hell.”

* Matt: “I’d rather have a chalupa.”

Milk Bar Birthday Cake Empanada

* Matthew: “I kind of like it.”

* Amy: “This is probably my favorite thing we’ve had.”

* Kris: “I thought it would just be battered flavored and it wasn’t so that’s good.”

* Matt: “It was okay.”

There you have it. The Fries, the steak burrito, and the dessert pass and earn the Quest for the Best seal of approval.

Thank you for joining us on this episode of Quest for the Best. Let us know what you thought. Have you tried these menu items? Which one was your favorite? Which restaurant is your favorite?

Also, do you have any foods you would love to get the coveted seal of approval? Let us know in the comments what you want to hear next.

Thanks again for the support. Until next time, stay sane out there.

Show Notes

https://www.mashed.com/161509/the-untold-truth-of-taco-bell/

https://tacobell.com.my/about/

https://www.tacobell.com/history

https://www.thegazette.com/news/after-active-meth-lab-found-cedar-rapids-taco-bell-stays-closed/

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