Review: Taco Bell's Old-School Y2K Menu Misses Big But Hits Bigger - Tasting Table

"Every so often, we all want to go back in time. Back to when life seemed simpler. For some of us, that's the '40s and '50s. For others, it's the '70s or '80s. But for Taco Bell, it's the '90s and early 2000s. Back when Eminem was blaring out of radio stations everywhere, Sunday night was appointment television thanks to "The Sopranos," and velour track suits were all the rage (also thanks to "The Sopranos")."

"Since everything old is new again, Taco Bell decided to embrace the nostalgia and is bringing back five of its most popular items with its new Y2K Menu: the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos, the 7-Layer Burrito, the Double Decker Taco, the Chili Cheese Burrito, and, because no menu is complete without dessert, the Caramel Apple Empanada. While these items won't be available at Taco Bells until September 9, 2025, I was lucky enough to get a preview and taste each one of these five items."

"When it comes to Mexican food, I've never been a burrito fan. I just don't like beans and rice mixed with my proteins, lettuce, and tomatoes. But I have always been a fan of the potluck appetizer, the 7-layer dip. So, I was intrigued about this classic Taco Bell item. I wasn't sure you could stuff refried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese into a flour tortilla, but somehow, Taco Bell did it. And it really shouldn't have."

Taco Bell is bringing back five popular Y2K-era menu items: Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos, 7-Layer Burrito, Double Decker Taco, Chili Cheese Burrito, and Caramel Apple Empanada. The items will return to menus on September 9, 2025. A preview tasting covered all five items. While all five were fan favorites originally, only a couple generated strong excitement during the tasting. The 7-Layer Burrito packs refried beans, Mexican rice, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and shredded cheese inside a flour tortilla. The layered combination suits a chip-and-dip format, but the wrapped burrito format prevents balanced, layered bites, producing an underwhelming result.

Read at Tasting Table