Taco Bell knows you're upset about losing potatoes. It's sorry it hurt you. And it's bringing them back.
Last year, Taco Bell cut a number of items from its menu, including two dishes that featured its seasoned potato bites: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco. Those two items will be back in restaurants on March 11, the chain announced on Thursday.
Rumors of potatoes getting axed started to swirl last summer after a Reddit user, identified as a verified employee, said potatoes were leaving the menu. Taco Bell soon confirmed the news, leading to a stream of dismay online.
"Taco Bell getting rid of potatoes is worse than my parents' divorce," one person tweeted in July. "I don't think I can forgive Taco Bell for taking potatoes off their menu," wrote another. People posted cry-face emojis, and heartbreak emojis. A Change.org "petition for Taco Bell to NOT remove all potato items," among other items, garnered over 5,000 signatures.
The potatoes were booted from Taco Bell's menu in August.
"I feel like I've almost heard from everybody in the country on the potato bites," said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer. "This was the one that really hit home for people," she said, noting that Taco Bell got more feedback on this particular decision than it expected.
RELATED: Taco Bell is bringing back Nacho Fries after trimming its menu
Taco Bell is eliminating five more menu items, marking the second time in less than three months that it overhauled its selection.
Taco Bell doesn't usually up and pull a beloved menu item. Typically, the brand runs tests and talks to consumers before making such a decision, Matthews said.
But after the pandemic-related shutdowns in March, Taco Bell found itself having to direct all customer traffic to its off-premise channels, including the drive thru. In order to alleviate the pressure on its operations and help get customers through the drive-thru quickly, it made some menu cuts.
It takes a lot of time and effort to prepare the potato bites, Matthews said, so they had to go. Ditching potatoes "was painful," she said, noting that it was the right thing to do at the time.
The loss was particularly difficult for vegetarians, who already have limited choices in fast food. For some of them, Taco Bell has been a reliable go-to. In 2019, the chain debuted a vegetarian section on its menu board to help guide customers to its veggie items. It also makes it easy to modify orders to remove meat.
Once an item is off the menu, it takes time to bring it back. Taco Bell has been discussing the potato comeback over the past three months or so, Matthews said. It's planning to debut more potato items eventually, she added.
The chain is also teaming up with Beyond Meat to test out a new product next year, it said Thursday.
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FAQs
It's sorry it hurt you. And it's bringing them back. Last year, Taco Bell cut a number of items from its menu, including two dishes that featured its seasoned potato bites: Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco. Those two items will be back in restaurants on March 11, the chain announced on Thursday.
Did Taco Bell bring back potatoes? ›
YES!!!!!!!!!! Update, March 11, 2021: Today is the day, folks. Taco Bell announced back in January that its beloved potato menu items would be returning permanently on March 11 and would you look at that...it's finally March 11!
Did Taco Bell get rid of potatoes in 2024? ›
Short Answer: No, They Didn't! Good news, Taco Bell enthusiasts! The Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes are still gracing the menu with their presence. That's right, you can still get your fix of these delicious, cheesy, potato bites that have become a fan favorite over the years.
What are the potatoes from Taco Bell called? ›
Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes - Order Online. Taco Bell®
Did Taco Bell get rid of the potato burrito? ›
Over the past year Taco Bell has been doing what they call “simplifying the menu” for both customers and employees by reducing the less selling menu items. Last year they removed meal deals, the Combo Burrito, and the Cheesy Potato Burrito.
What is Taco Bell bringing back permanently? ›
Is the Mexican Pizza back? The Mexican Pizza returned as a permanent menu item on September 15, 2022.
Why did Taco Bell discontinue potatoes? ›
Taco Bell took potatoes off the menu for a period of time due to menu simplification efforts in 2020.
What's coming to Taco Bell in 2024? ›
Taco Bell menu ready to expand with new Cantina Chicken burrito, quesadilla, bowl and tacos. Taco Bell is ready to spice up its menu with Cantina Chicken. The Cantina Chicken Menu was among the upcoming menu enhancements the fast-food chain announced at its “Live Más Live” 2024 event last month.
What food is Taco Bell getting rid of? ›
The four menu items that have officially been discontinued are: the chipotle ranch grilled chicken burrito, beefy melt burrito, fiesta veggie burrito, and classic combo. As for the fifth item, the cinnamon twists will be leaving the value menu but will be available on the “drinks and sweets” section.
What is coming to Taco Bell in 2024? ›
Taco Bell announced its 2024 menu additions at Live Más Live, its first-ever superfan convention. I attended the Las Vegas event and tasted everything coming to Taco Bell's menu this year. Among the new items are the Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, Baja Blast pie, and Cantina Chicken items.
In addition to the traditional version of their fries, Taco Bell is also launching the new Secret Aardvark Nacho Fries.
Why do people put potatoes in tacos? ›
Potatoes can increase the nutritional value of your taco.
First, potatoes are actually full of fiber. One medium-sized potato provides your body with around 5 grams of fiber, which is 20% of your daily recommended intake, according to the American Heart Association.
Did Taco Bell get rid of Dollar menu? ›
"Following a successful test at select locations last fall, Taco Bell today announced the nationwide launch of their new $3 or Less Cravings Value Menu starting January 11, 2024," Fast Food Post reported. The new menu replaces the long-running "Cravings Value Menu," which offered items at $1, $2, and $3 price points.
Why is Taco Bell removing items? ›
According to the Instagram post, the affected items are leaving the menu in order to make room for the new Cantina menu, which will feature new burrito, taco, bowl and quesadilla options, plus a new Avocado Verde Salsa to pair with them, per Food & Wine.
What is the new Taco Bell burrito called? ›
Taco Bell's New Takis Burrito
Taco Bell is now partnering with the snack company Barcel USA which produces Takis Rolled Tortilla Chips (known for its super intense flavor) to create Takis Burrito. However, unlike the Doritos Locos Taco, it's not the shell that's offering something new, but what's inside it.
Does Taco Bell have potatoes? ›
Taco Bell serves one of the best potatoes! Their cubed potatoes are good enough on their own with a dollop of sour cream and nacho cheese.
What food item did Taco Bell bring back? ›
The Double Decker Taco Is Back at Taco Bell
The Double Decker originally debuted as a limited-time offer in 1995.
What food did Taco Bell get rid of? ›
The four menu items that have officially been discontinued are: the chipotle ranch grilled chicken burrito, beefy melt burrito, fiesta veggie burrito, and classic combo. As for the fifth item, the cinnamon twists will be leaving the value menu but will be available on the “drinks and sweets” section.
