Gaby Suazo
Palisade students are eager to try the new menu items at Taco Bell
On March 5th, Mexican fast food chain Taco Bell hosted Live Más LIVE in New York City for the chain’s loyal fans everywhere. This event showcased 30 brand new food items, limited edition merch collaborations, and celebrated the brand’s biggest fans during the Bell Awards.
Taco Bell’s vision for 2025 screams innovation and strategic growth. CEO Sean Tresvant took center stage in front of 400 attendees, to set the tone for the upcoming thrill. Doubling down on innovation means bold ambitions for evolving chicken, beverages, sauce, and more. However, this also extends into a culmination of customer experience, fan rewards, and revolutionary experiences. In 2024, 340 stores opened in 25 countries. Now with 2025’s new additions, the Taco Bell demand is sure to increase even more.
During the event, dark purple curtains were drawn, unveiling an engaging presentation and physical display of new products. One example are the Crispy Fajitas, tempura battered crispy bell pepper, onion, and jalapeños paired with white habanero ranch for dipping.
There are also several new dessert items, maybe reigning superior over the pre-existing cinnamon twists. The Ube Strawberry cookie is a crisp and chewy sugar cookie stuffed with rich vanilla ube cream featuring strawberry pieces and a flurry of sprinkles. The beloved Caramel Apple Empanada is being reinvented, except with salted caramel and toffee cream.
Baja Blast is undeniably a fan favorite and essential component of the Taco Bell menu. However, Baja Midnight is a new, sweet and refreshing blast of passion fruit flavor and the similar tropical lime of Baja Blast.
Junior Eli Jordan is a proud Taco Bell fanatic and is quite interested in the new menu additions. “I like that they are branching out. Considering how often I eat Taco Bell, I would like something new every once in a while. Over the past year, they have done a good job at keeping the menu fresh. It’s nice that they have consistent movement,” Jordan comments.
The fanbase’s reaction has been mostly positive, with everyone eager to taste these exciting inventions. However, on Taco Bell’s recent Instagram post, many followers commented, demanding to bring back Nacho Fries, a treasured menu item that has been removed several times. Junior Elizabeth Fleming is majorly disappointed with the discontinuation of Nacho Fries. “I don’t even like french fries in other restaurants. But, Nacho Fries have taco seasoning and are never soggy. Plus, who doesn’t like things that are dipped in cheese? You can’t dip regular fries in cheese,” states Fleming.
However, this doesn’t burden Jordan. “I don’t love the idea of bringing back items. They can always do better,” Jordan concludes. He describes this as a “zen concept” Taco Bell is embodying with their new and improved creations.
For 60 years, Taco Bell has been crafting bold and satisfying flavors, igniting cravings and redefining Mexican fast food. There are undoubtedly fresh and fun surprises awaiting Taco Bell enthusiasts.