The 6 Taco Bell Secret Menu Items Worth Trying—and 2 to Avoid at All Costs

Taco Bell’s latest trick is putting cheese in everything, then throwing more on the outside and grilling it for good measure. And you know what? I’m OK with that. But the Cantina Chicken Taco, with its slow-roasted chicken, cheese and creamy jalapeño sauce, can feel a bit greasy. Add guac and pico de gallo, and suddenly, the whole meal is brightened up. The creaminess of the guac offsets the grease and offers a nice contrast to the crunch of the taco. You’ll feel almost virtuous eating it.

Vegetarians, this one’s for you. Take the Spicy Potato Taco and add black beans for an extra boost of fiber and protein. It’s a hearty, satisfying way to feed yourself for less than $2.

If you want to instantly elevate any burrito on the Cravings Menu—aka Taco Bell’s lineup of under-$3 specialties—click “customize” in the app and scroll down to “styles,” then select “make it grilled.” There’s something about that smooshed, slightly crisp burrito that makes it taste just a bit elevated. Adding a drizzle of spicy ranch or creamy jalapeño sauce doesn’t hurt either.

While you may get more food when ordering a Nachos BellGrande, choose quality over quantity and ask for the Loaded Beef Nachos, then add Chipotle sauce, pico de gallo and lettuce. You’ll have the refreshing coolness and crunch from the produce, and the sauces offer a little more tangy spice to the standard nachos, which feature beef, cheese, refried beans, red sauce (aka enchilada sauce) and sour cream. Though prices may vary, at my Taco Bell, this combo costs $4, so I’m still saving $2 by ordering it instead of the beans-and-cheese-heavy BellGrande.

Want to make a meal heartier for less than 75 cents? Add Nacho Fries. The taco-seasoned fries are enjoying their longest run on the menu yet, so you might as well make the most of their existence and add them to everything you can. When they’re off, you can substitute fiesta potatoes for a similar texture. (Oh, and PS, starting July 18 you can get even wilder with your fry-based creations, since T-Bell will be launching Jalapeño Ranch Nacho Fries, aka the fries you know and love topped with a spicy ranch sauce.) 

If you’re not sure where to start, might I suggest the next item on this list?

Another Cravings Menu favorite, the Chicken Enchilada burrito is loaded with three cheese, rice, red sauce, sour cream and chicken. But it’s even better when you swap the chicken for steak and add red cabbage (for crunch) and fries (to mellow out the other extreme flavors).

Adding lettuce is another easy way to elevate Cravings Menu items (which, surprisingly, rarely contain greens). And it’s affordable, at just 20 cents more (again, prices may vary, depending on where you order). But! If you’re grilling your burrito, skip this addition and opt for red cabbage. The lettuce wilts and turns stringy; the tougher cabbage can take the heat better.

What mass-produced chip or cracker won’t those evil geniuses at Taco Bell stuff into its foods? You can add a massive, palm-sized Cheez-It to a Crunchwrap, or enjoy it as a tostada, but if you do, opt for drier toppings and ask for your sauce on the side, adding it just before each bite. If not, the cheesy cracker turns soggy fast, resulting in more mess than it’s worth.