Remember how, after learning that a few new Fritos Burritos were having a test run in Michigan, I wondered how long it would be before we finally saw those Fritos Tacos enter the fray? Well, apparently the answer was “not long at all”: Taco Bell is testing Fritos Tacos as we speak. You heard me. Fritos Tacos… are finally here. Cue the fanfare!
News of these creations — previously believed to be largely mythical — appeared in the r/TacoBell subreddit a few days ago. Redditor jcraig3k spotted them at a Taco Bell location in Memphis, Tennessee; there's been no word yet on whether they're available in other cities yet, but according to the Reddit thread, you can find them at the Ridgeway location, as well as “on Poplar near Highland” (I'm assuming that means something to those of you who live in or are familiar with Memphis). They seem to come in two varieties, Original and Chili Cheese; in either case, though, only the shell flavor changes: Brand Eating describes them both as being filled with “beef chili, sour cream, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, [and] shredded cheese.” Brand Eating also reports that they're available at a rate of $1.49 for an individual taco or $5.99 as part of a combo box, which also includes a Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco, a Burrito Supreme, and a medium drink.
For the curious, here's what their menu placard looks like:
Back when we first learned that a Fritos Taco might be heading our way, though, I commented that I wasn't totally sure what the big whoop was — mainly because a Frito is essentially just a really thick, really salty tortilla chip. Apparently I'm not the only person of this mind, either. Grub Street's Clint Rainey, for example, noted, “No doubt the Chili Cheese flavor has its loyal following among the Fritos faithful, but really, aren't plain Fritos just saltier, thicker strips of corn tortillas anyway?” Continued Rainey, “Say what you will about the Doritos Locos tacos, but at least those felt like progress. If anything, Fritos chips feel like a step backwards in terms of innovation.”
Similarly, the Redditors who commented on jcraig3k's thread seemed a little… shall we say, less than impressed:
And, indeed, jcraig3k him or herself wrote:
So… I don't know, guys. The jury's still out on this one. I'll keep my ear to the ground about whether they manage to make it beyond the testing phase; in the meantime, though, y'all go ahead and keep eating your Doritos Locos Tacos. Those don't look like they're going anywhere anytime soon.
Oh, and for anyone out there who's stil mourning the loss of the Beefy Crunch Burrito? Taco Bell posted the following message on its Facebook page a few days ago:
Hmmm. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Images: stevendepolo/Flickr; Imgur
