Mar 21, 2025 - Business

Where Taco Bell's new menu items were tested

Maxwell Millington

Flamin hot burrito from Taco Bell — Flamin' Hot Burrito. Photo: Courtesy of Taco Bell

Each year, customers in select cities get to try Taco Bell's new items before they appear on menus nationwide.

The big picture: Fast-food chains usually test new items in middle America — not in trend-heavy cities like New York City or Los Angeles because of cost and demographics.

This market test was in Midwestern and Southern cities.

Dig in: Taco Bell featured 30 new menu items, including Crunchwrap sliders and a Baja Blast flavor, at its annual launch event this month.

New items that won a spot on the menu include:

Crispy Chicken Nuggets — Coming this year

These nuggets are making a comeback after being launched for a limited time nationally in December 2024. Minneapolis customers got to try them in 2023.
Dipping sauce flavors include avocado ranch and spicy ranchero.

Caliente Cantina Chicken Menu — Available now

This new twist on the slow-roasted cantina chicken featuring a new caliente sauce was tested in Cincinnati last year.

Toasted Cheddar Street Chalupa — Coming this year

In 2023, Houston customers tried this twist on the cheesy street chalupa, featuring cheddar baked into the shell, a layer of crispy cheese toasted on the outside, and a new Chile lime crema sauce.

Grilled Cheese Burrito with Shredded Beef — Coming this year

Taco Bell stores in Oklahoma City sold the burrito last year.

Flamin' Hot Burrito — Coming this year

This new burrito featuring nacho cheese sauce, Flamin' hot Fritos, sour cream, seasoned beef, and Flamin' hot rice is available in Nashville.

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Where Taco Bell's new menu items were tested

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