Taco Bell - Make a run for the toilet

[sadrefrigerator]

Minor sperg/rant here, not necessarily about Taco Bell but I saw it mentioned in the thread so I figured I'd bring it up. Why do all of these fast-food places insist on you downloading a fucking app to order? And on top of that, why would certain things be "unavailable" on the regular menu but exclusive to the app? I haven't ate fast-food in months, but when I did, places like McDs or Taco Bell would ask if I had ordered through the app. Honestly, what time is that saving using their app vs ordering directly at the drive-thru screen? If I wanted a "Pete Davidson Edition Quesarito Butt-Splosion Value Meal" with extra Goyslop and went to order it, knowing they had the stuff available but got told that it was "exclusive to the app", I'd honestly be pretty pissed off.

One extra benefit of having an app.
You can work the kitchen more efficiently and allow for items that take longer to make.
Most of a fastfood's menu is streamlined so that you can create it in an assembly line. With an app, you can introduce extra items that are made seperate from the main line. Some places even have lines exclusively for mobile orders during lunch hour.

 

[Smar Mijou]

I want to try the lava stuff but I don't want the app.

To answer your question, there are many reasons for the app enshitification of fast food.

1. The loyalty program - This gamifies eating out because you get points, and that encourages you to go back repeatedly. The Subway Sub Club was an innocent version of this. You got a card, and you filled it with stamps. When it was done, you got a free footlong. After the program was discontinued I still had the card in my wallet until it went through the laundry.

2. Marketing

3. Data collection

5. Cutting employment - you order your food, the kitchen cooks it, and the window jockey is replaced by a sliding tray. No more order fuckups.

I hate the app gating of specific menu items. You're a fucking restaurant, sell food.

I remember the old-school subway cards. As far as fast-food, that's one that I actually used to enjoy. I figured data harvesting and push advertising would be part of it as well, but wasn't sure since I refuse to download any shitty fast food apps, but it is Current Year after all, so of course everyone is going to try to harvest and sell your data....

And I don't see how an app would really decrease the margin of error much over a drive-thru order. You still have mostly rushed teenagers making and bagging the food, I wouldn't think that ordering in-person vs. an app would make much of a difference?

And 100% agree on the "app gating" and trends towards everything online. I hate when sit-down restaurants started to do this, like telling people to scan a QR code to bring up their menu online, using the Wuhan Flu as an excuse of course... Or they have a shitty little screen at the table for you to place your order and ping the server if you need something. I've actually walked out of places like that before because they seemed completely confused and wholly unprepared as to why someone would actually want a real menu to look at, and interaction with an actual waiter, instead of a glorified butler. No, sorry, not sorry. I refuse to buy into that bullshit, and find it bewildering that if a place doesn't want to earn my business because I won't download their shitty fucking app, I'll go somewhere else.

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

And 100% agree on the "app gating" and trends towards everything online. I hate when sit-down restaurants started to do this, like telling people to scan a QR code to bring up their menu online, using the Wuhan Flu as an excuse of course...

I am so close to just saying fuck it and getting a flip phone with talk and text and that's it.

I don't want your apps or your touchscreens or smartphones or social media or any of this other stupid ass dystopian shit. Give me a damn menu and a living person to order from.

 

[Triple Flutz]

My MIL went to Taco Bell and got some ''any free item, except combos'' coupons. She relinquished them because she didn't enjoy her meal and they forgot one of her items to start with, but I haven't had Taco Bell in a while and idk what all is acceptable in terms of flavor and also I don't know what the prices and I'd like to maximize value. What would you get if you were me? I've been sitting on them for a few months now and the expiry date is coming up.

 

[Still Exceptional]

Ya know what pisses me off about Taco Bell? Making the Cheesy Gordita Crunch a limited time item. Fuck you, you have the ingredients to make it! It's literally just a taco with spicy ranch sauce stuffed in a gordita shell with melted cheese! There's no fucking reason that shit shouldn't be a permanent menu item or available on request.

 

[Osama Bin Laden]

Ya know what pisses me off about Taco Bell? Making the Cheesy Gordita Crunch a limited time item. Fuck you, you have the ingredients to make it! It's literally just a taco with spicy ranch sauce stuffed in a gordita shell with melted cheese! There's no fucking reason that shit shouldn't be a permanent menu item or available on request.

i am the same way about nacho fries. it makes me genuinely angry how almost every time i want them, they are out of season. idk if they announced a permastay for them but they are crack to me

edit: i was in the mood for taco bell today and im doing my usual order and im looking for the nacho fries and the nacho fries aren't fucking there. i think god exists to spite me sometimes

Minor sperg/rant here, not necessarily about Taco Bell but I saw it mentioned in the thread so I figured I'd bring it up. Why do all of these fast-food places insist on you downloading a fucking app to order? And on top of that, why would certain things be "unavailable" on the regular menu but exclusive to the app? I haven't ate fast-food in months, but when I did, places like McDs or Taco Bell would ask if I had ordered through the app. Honestly, what time is that saving using their app vs ordering directly at the drive-thru screen? If I wanted a "Pete Davidson Edition Quesarito Butt-Splosion Value Meal" with extra Goyslop and went to order it, knowing they had the stuff available but got told that it was "exclusive to the app", I'd honestly be pretty pissed off.

its the same shit that mcdonalds does along with the other fast food chains, it's cool if you regularly eat there and want to get points out of wasting your money anyway. however, i do get annoyed when im out getting some food and the person asks me "btw uwu have you tried our new app?"

 

[Archeops]

Slight update on the Volcano Menu, it's now off of the "Early Access" section on the app and takes up its own slice of the wider menu. Items are the same as the Early Access section barring the addition of Lava sauce cups for a dollar.

i am the same way about nacho fries. it makes me genuinely angry how almost every time i want them, they are out of season. idk if they announced a permastay for them but they are crack to me

edit: i was in the mood for taco bell today and im doing my usual order and im looking for the nacho fries and the nacho fries aren't fucking there. i think god exists to spite me sometimes

its the same shit that mcdonalds does along with the other fast food chains, it's cool if you regularly eat there and want to get points out of wasting your money anyway. however, i do get annoyed when im out getting some food and the person asks me "btw uwu have you tried our new app?"

Nacho fries have always been a limited-time item, at that point you're better off buying frozen fries and Taco Bell taco seasoning (yes, it's sold in stores) and making your own.

 

[Jalal-Ibn-Jalal]

My go to order is 2 Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, Nacho Fries, and a Baja Blast. I'm not a stoner, and I've never even smoked a single joint in my life. Pretty sure Taco Bell is more addictive than nicotine.

 

[ZipDisk]

I had the lava things.

The lava taco was less spicy than the lava burrito, to the point I was surprised. think Chipotle (the pepper) vs Habanero.
The taco stuck to the paper pretty bad, but it tasted good, and that's what is important.

The burrito had the stupid strip things, I did not care for that.

I'd say for an LTO, it was a decent offering. Can't say I'd order it again, but I only go to taco bell once every ten years or so.

 

[xertruglia]

Yeah so I had the Crunchwrap sliders, cantina burrito, and birthday cake churros today for breakfast.

Crunchwrap sliders, not to be bitchy, but this smoky sauce just doesn't work on a crunchwrap. Portion size is definitely a scam. It's not cute to give me less food where half the food is replaced with extra bread. Little Cs does this shit too with their pizza cupcakes. But that's off topic....

The Chipotle sauce is good but here it's putting a hat on a hat. What's worse is they give you this limp "queso". It's pink in color, similar to the mold that grows on your shower or bathtub if you don't clean it. The limpness of the queso comes from the fact that it was frozen over for transportation, all of the ice crystals destroying the jalapeño and cheese molecules. Did not use this. I dont know what it would be good for. I ate them with Diablo sauce. 7/10

Spicy Cantina Burrito, this whole line is pretty good. The spicy shit though is really thick so you don't have much room for any other sauce. By the end I was like damn... this is gross. Not very spicy. I think this is leftover goo from their "street chalupa" line where they try to do some birria or chili con Carne type authentic sauce. It's just salty and thick and sticks to your throat. 8/10

Birthday cake churros tasted like normal churros to me. Sugar and grease. 10/10

 

[Lycalopex]

Taco Bell is a frequent craving go-to for me, and I don't even usually get the typical cravings-marketed items. Just a bunch of soft tacos and a soda 4-pack that gets shoved in my fridge for later.

Mostly I crave texmex a lot and Taco Bell is the only place around me that serves passable taco meat.

 

[wtfNeedSignUp]

So what is Taco Bell for a non burger? I keep hearing about the chain in jokes but people still eat there

 

[Agarathium1066]

So what is Taco Bell for a non burger? I keep hearing about the chain in jokes but people still eat there

Middling quality tex-mex with lots of cheese sauce. Its satisfying junk food that scratches the itch. Its ground beef is not quality and many joke the food in general gives them the shits but its usually from the boatloads of sodium and cheese sauce. It's also got a long history of being a go to option for stoner munchies.

It evokes nostalgic memories for me and I still enjoy it despite knowing there's better options.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

Middling quality tex-mex with lots of cheese sauce.

Tastes way better than proper tex-mex, in a fake slop food kinda way.

 

[Agarathium1066]

Tastes way better than proper tex-mex, in a fake slop food kinda way.

That's the salt for you. I know way better tex-mex but its also a sit down restaurant. The price increase from Taco Bell isn't making them as appealing as they once were.

Sucks since I like some of their stuff enough to pick up an order. Their spicy potato soft tacos are actually pretty nice.

 

[SSj_Ness (Yiffed)]

That's the salt for you. I know way better tex-mex but its also a sit down restaurant. The price increase from Taco Bell isn't making them as appealing as they once were.

Sucks since I like some of their stuff enough to pick up an order. Their spicy potato soft tacos are actually pretty nice.

Yeah, the prices ruined fast-food, for some reason it seems like Taco Bell was hit hardest.

 

[DeadwastePrime]

i just wanna recreate the texture of the taco bell ground beef and i have no fucking clue how they do it

 

[xertruglia]

Got two chicken chalupas and the cantina quesadilla thing and the price came out to like 27 dollars. I understand I was definitely not price optimizing but in what world is it ok for a meal for two at taco bell to be almost 30 God damn dollars. Their prices for anything off the value menu is psychotic. I try to avoid their beef and I end up spending so much. They charge you like 2 fucking dollars now to switch the beef for their jelly chicken. What the fuck is it made out of?

 

[Kromeleon]

I really like Taco Bell for breakfast. Breakfast Crunchwrap with steak and no creamy jalapeno sauce is fantastic. The sauce isn't bad, it just overpowers the rest.

 

[Freshly Baked Socks]

Taco Bell brings back 5 discontinued menu items from 2000s​

Taco Bell is taking a trip down memory lane with iconic menu items that have been long discontinued.

The Tex-Mex chain is celebrating Y2K with five fan favorites for $3 or less available for a limited time on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

“No one did the 2000s like Taco Bell. That era gave us some of our most iconic menu items, including the Crunchwrap Supreme, which remains one of our best-sellers two decades later,” said Taylor Montgomery, Chief Marketing Officer in a press release.

“Fans have never stopped asking for these items, and honestly, we’ve missed them too. But Decades Y2K isn’t just about the menu. It’s about reliving the flavors, the fashion, and the fun that made that moment in time unforgettable – and letting our fans be the first to live it all over again.”

The Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos are back due to high demand. This sequel to the original Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos has a tasty twist with the tangy Cool Ranch Doritos shell providing a crunchy bite into seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheddar cheese.

The Double Decker Taco, first introduced to Taco Bell fans in 1995 and added permanently to menus in 2006, was removed in 2019. This beloved taco features familiar flavors with a hard taco shell filled with beef, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese encased in a bean-filled soft tortilla.

Vegetarians will appreciate the homecoming of this staple menu item, the 7-Layer Burrito. It has long been a fan favorite and set the “gold standard” of Taco Bell layering. The burrito piles refried beans, rice, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend folded into a flour tortilla.

Fans can retire the Chili Cheese Burrito Tracker, as the cult classic will now be available at every Taco Bell location. The simple wrap is filled with chili and cheddar cheese in a flour tortilla.

Debuted in the early 2000s, the Caramel Apple Empanada is the last Y2K item making a nostalgic return. This warm delight features an apple and caramel filling encased in a golden crust.

Taco Bell has more in store for its Y2K decade celebration. The fast-food chain has partnered with Ed Hardy to launch an exclusive hat that captures the bold fashion of that era. In addition, a Y2K-inspired digital watch and vintage shirts will also be available.