If there’s one thing Taco Bell fans love almost as much as new menu items, it’s the return of old ones.
The chain brought back its fan-favorite Shredded Beef Dipping Taco on May 21, marking the first time the birria-inspired item has appeared on menus since its original launch in 2023.
Joining the comeback is a brand-new menu item, Shredded Beef Nacho Fries, loaded with the same slow-braised shredded beef.
The returning taco features slow-braised shredded beef, a three-cheese blend, creamy jalapeño sauce, and a grilled cheese-crusted tortilla served with a side of red dipping sauce. Inspired by birria, the item quickly became a fan favorite during its original run, and customers can now grab one for $3.99.
While the taco’s return is likely to get most of the attention, Taco Bell is also giving you a new way to get their shredded beef fix.
Priced at $5.49, shredded Beef Nacho Fries top the chain’s seasoned fries with slow-braised shredded beef, pico de gallo, a three-cheese blend, nacho cheese sauce, and creamy jalapeño sauce.
But to get the most bang for your buck, Taco Bell has the $9 Discovery Luxe Box which includes the Shredded Beef Dipping Taco, a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, a Doritos Locos Taco, chips with nacho cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink.
The company says the Shredded Beef Dipping Taco earned its following thanks to its combination of crispy, cheesy, beefy, and saucy flavors, all built around slow-braised shredded beef and a rich dipping sauce.
“We love when a taco like this becomes more than just a bite — it’s about how every ingredient works together,” said Liz Matthews, Global Chief Food Innovation Officer at Taco Bell. “This one is rich, crispy and melty, so when you dip it in the savory sauce, every bite of the Shredded Beef Dipping Taco feels like a new discovery of flavors.”
‘Where’s the Beef?!’
Not everyone appears to be as excited about the comeback as Taco Bell. Some of the first customers to get their hands on the returning taco have already taken to social media to complain that the reality doesn’t quite match the PR photos. (Who would have thought?)
In one Reddit thread, a customer posted a photo of their taco showing what appeared to be a tiny amount of shredded beef and wrote, “I know it shows small in the menu but this is scam level filling amount.”
“That’s a rip-off for $5 a taco,” one commenter wrote.
“Where’s the beef?”said another, while a third one added, “I’ve seen hairballs bigger than that portion of beef.”
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