I Tried Taco Bell’s Y2K Menu and Ranked the Items From Worst to Best

Original release: The Double Decker Taco first burst onto the fast-food scene in 1995, but it captured a whole new Taco Bell fan base when it returned in 2006. It features a bean-filled soft tortilla wrapped around a crunchy taco filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Price: $2.49.

Note: All prices listed here may vary in different markets.

Original release: The 7-Layer Burrito was a menu staple for Taco Bell’s vegetarian fans before it was discontinued in 2020. Inspired by the classic Tex-Mex seven-layer dip, the burrito comes packed with refried beans, seasoned rice, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla.

Price: $2.49

As with the Double Decker Taco, I thought the beans overpowered the flavor of Taco Bell’s 7-Layer Burrito. My burrito also tasted a little dry and needed some mild hot sauce to amp up the flavor.

I’ve been told that Taco Bell superfans love customizing the 7-Layer Burrito, and I do think it could be great with a few additions. But there are already so many delicious burritos on Taco Bell’s menu, like the Grilled Cheese Burrito and Cantina Chicken Burrito, so I’ll be sticking to my favorites.

Original release: Just months after Taco Bell launched the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos, it decided to release a Cool Ranch sequel. The taco — discontinued in 2019 — features a Cool Ranch Doritos shell filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheddar cheese.

Price: $2.49

Many years ago, my best friend and I fiercely debated which Doritos flavor was superior while perusing the chip selection in a London bodega at 1 a.m. Everyone has their favorite, but mine has always been Cool Ranch.

Yet even I have to admit that, when it comes to the Locos Tacos, the Nacho Cheese is superior.

I love the concept of a Cool Ranch taco and thought it was a nice snack, but I wish the powerful kick of the chip had translated more to the shell. The flavor just didn’t jump out as much as it did in the Nacho Cheese taco. And anyone who has enjoyed a Cool Ranch Dorito knows that each chip is bursting with intense flavor.

If there had been a debate between the Cool Ranch and Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos, victory would have gone to my best friend.

Original release: The Caramel Apple Empanada, which was discontinued in 2019, was first introduced in 2004 as part of Taco Bell’s Big Bell Value Menu. The sweet treat consists of apple pieces and a creamy caramel filling encased in a crispy pastry.

Price: $2.99

The Caramel Apple Empanada also appeared in Taco Bell’s “Decades Menu” in November 2024, but the chain knew that — much like the Backstreet Boys at the Las Vegas Sphere — this was worth a 2025 revival.

The snack is back and better than ever at a lower price point (it cost $3.65 last year). I gave the Caramel Apple Empanada the top spot in my ranking of the Decades menu due to the satisfyingly crispy shell filled with warm and juicy apple chunks, which were spiced with just a hint of delicious caramel.

It’s a perfect sweet treat that would’ve won my No. 1 spot yet again if it weren’t for…

Original release: Once known as the Chilito, the Chili Cheese Burrito has earned cult status among Taco Bell superfans because it was never fully discontinued. The chain allowed franchise owners to decide if they wanted to keep it on their menus, so Taco Bell fans created a Chili Cheese Burrito Tracker to help track down where it could be found.

The burrito, now available nationwide, features a mixture of hearty chili and melted cheddar cheese wrapped inside a flour tortilla.

Price: $2.99

When I Googled Taco Bell’s Chili Cheese Burrito, one of the first search results was a Reddit post that read: “This is not a drill. The Chili Cheese Burrito is HERE.”

There’s clearly a lot of love for this burrito, which brings the kind of fanfare I had previously only seen with Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza. And after a few bites, I could clearly see why.

The warm chili is comforting and delicious, with a lovely tang to the beef. I loved that the tortilla was pressed, adding extra warmth and crispiness. After a few bites, I tried the burrito with some of Taco Bell’s avocado verde salsa drizzled on top and thought they paired beautifully together. But you could eat the Chili Cheese Burrito without any extra sauce and still get plenty of delicious flavor.

One thing to note — the Chili Cheese Burrito is on the smaller side, similar in size to Taco Bell’s bean burrito. If I’d known that before, I would’ve ordered a second!