Taco Bell is jumping on the birria taco trend with its newest menu addition, the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco, launching nationwide Aug. 3.
For the first time, Taco Bell is offering slow-braised shredded beef, a new protein for the Irvine, Calif.-based fast-food chain. The beef goes into the filling along with a creamy jalapeno sauce. The new taco also features a three-cheese blend of cheddar, mozzarella and pepper jack melted on the inside and outside of the white corn shell.
Like authentic birria tacos, this version also comes accompanied by a dip; in this case, there are two. In place of the traditional consommé, the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco is served with cups of warm nacho cheese sauce and zesty red sauce.
“The rich and spicy flavors often found in birria were a major point of inspiration for the new Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco,” said Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer, in a statement. “By combining slow-braised shredded beef with the two dipping sauces, our fans can enjoy a new range of flavors they may have never had from Taco Bell before. This Mexican-inspired dish represents an evolution of what fans typically expect from Taco Bell.”
After a successful test in 2022, the new menu item is rolling out systemwide across more than 7,000 U.S. units, selling for $3.49 a la carte. It’s the latest offering in the chain’s expanding grilled cheese platform, which also includes the Grilled Cheese Burrito and its variations.
To give the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco a splashy debut, Taco Bell is hosting an event Tuesday for its most loyal customers—the Fire! Tier Rewards Members. Called “Tacos: The Next Chapter,” it’s being held at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles and is open to the first 20 Fire! Tier members and their plus-ones who signed up on the app and qualified. Winners will gain exclusive access to the event and be treated to tastings of the Grilled Cheese Dipping Taco, specialty cocktails and musical performances.
For most of 2023, Taco Bell’s menu launches and limited-time offers have focused on bringing back or reimagining fan favorites, like Loaded Nacho Fries, Crunchwraps and Mexican Pizza. In introducing a new protein and a creating a riff on birria tacos—even as an extension of its popular grilled cheese platform—Taco Bell is noticeably ramping up menu innovation.
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