UPDATE: The Mexican Pizza returned to Taco Bell locations last month, but the chain says they weren't able to keep up with demand. The popular item is on hiatus while Taco Bell works to make sure they can deliver. No specific date was given for its next return to the menu, but, according to The Street, it sounds like it will be some time in the fall.
Original Story From September 2020
News broke last week that Taco Bell will be eliminating another round of items as they continue to streamline and revamp their menu. The latest cuts, taking effect November 5th, do away with Mexican Pizza, Shredded Chicken Soft Taco, Shredded Chicken Burrito, Shredded Chicken Quesadilla Melt, and pico de gallo. Earlier this summer, the chain got rid of Grilled Steak Soft Taco, 7-Layer Burrito, Nachos Supreme, Beefy Fritos Burrito, Spicy Tostada, Triple Layer Nachos, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, Loaded Grillers (Cheesy Potato, Beefy Nacho), Chips & Dips and the Mini Skillet Bowl.
Some of these will almost certain be back, either as limited time promotions or returned to the permanent menu. But this seems like a good time to look back at some old-school (and some pretty recent) favorites that went away.
Double Decker Taco
The Double Decker Taco made its first appearance on the menu as a limited-run promotional item in 1995 (with a commercial featuring Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaqille O'Neal!) and finally became a regular menu selection in 2006. It was discontinued in 2019.
Grilled Stuft Burrito
Grilled Stuft Burritos hit the Taco Bell menu in 2001, came with a variety of fillings over the years, at one point became XXL Grilled Stuft Burritos, and were discontinued in 2019.
Volcano Burrito
The Volcano Burrito, billed as "the spiciest burrito ever", was introduced in the summer of 1995 as a tie-in with the movie Congo. It came back in 2009 as part of a larger Volcano menu. Removed from the menu in 2013.
Enchirito
The Enchirito has been on and off the menu since as far back as 1970. It made a big comeback in 2000 and was discontinued in 2013. Some locations will still make this one if you ask for it.
Nacho Fries
This feels very recent, like I'm pretty sure I just saw a commercial for these, but they left the menu when all potato items were axed back in July of this year. Nacho Fries were introduced in January 2018.
BLT Soft Taco
Back in 1995 Taco Bell rolled out the BLT Soft Taco, along with a few other bacon items as a "Sizzlin' Bacon Menu". The bacon items all disappeared in the early 2000s.
Meximelt
The Meximelt was introduced in 1988 and was one of the chain's longest-running menu items when it was discontinued in 2019.
Grilled Stuft Nacho
This one debuted in 2013, with a commercial featuring the Portugal. The Man song "Run". It was discontinued in 2015.
Taco Salad
The Taco Salad lasted from 1984 until early this year.
Steak Fajitas
Taco Bell introduced Steak Fajitas in 1987. At the time, they had to explain what a fajita was in the commercial..."think of it as a Mexican steak sandwich." It morphed into the Grilled Steak Soft Taco over time, and was eliminated from the menu earlier this summer.
As a bonus, enjoy a look back at the times Taco Bell had Superman glasses (1978) and Batman cups (1989).
Photo: Getty Images