Mexican street tacos sparked the idea for Taco Bell’s latest menu item, rolling out nationwide on Thursday.
Cheesy Street Chalupas “fuse inspiration from street tacos with Taco Bell flavors and Quesalupa-inspired cheesy chalupa shells,” according to the Irvine, California-based fast-food chain. The portable street-sized snacks come in a bundle of two for $5.49.
Taco Bell first tested Cheesy Street Chalupas last October in Indianapolis with successful results. The mashup features a crispy, flaky chalupa shell stuffed with mozzarella and pepper jack cheese, then filled with chicken or steak, a creamy jalapeño sauce and onions.
“The Chalupa has taken many delicious forms over the years, but with the Cheesy Street Chalupas, we set out to create a new flavor-rich way for fans to enjoy the beloved menu item,” Luis Restrepo, VP of product innovation at Taco Bell, said in a statement. “The fresh onions and cilantro atop layers of cheese and premium proteins seasoned to perfection adds a different flavor profile and is our playful nod to the street taco that we all know and love.”
Back in 2021, Taco Bell brought back the Quesalupa, one of the chain’s most popular LTOs that first launched in 2016. That limited-time mashup fused a chalupa with a quesadilla, featuring a chalupa shell filled with melted cheeses, ground beef, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheddar and sour cream.
At its Live Mas event in Las Vegas this February, Taco Bell released its 2024 marketing calendar, revealing a slew of planned menu introductions for the year. The new Cantina Chicken Menu was one of the stars of the show, as slow-roasted chicken was destined to appear in a bulk of menu items. The Cheesy Chicken Crispanada, inspired by a classic empanada, was one of the first—another handheld targeted to snackers.
Cheesy Street Chalupas are available for a limited time, while supplies last. From August 1-4, the chain is offering a free Cheesy Street Chalupas duo to customers who spend $25 or more on a delivery order through the Taco Bell app. DashPass members will also get $8 off orders of $25 or more that include a Cheesy Street Chalupa now through July 24.
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