12 Foods You Might Want To Reconsider Ordering At Taco Bell

Taco Bell has been offering Tex-Mex cuisine at affordable prices since its inception during the swinging sixties. Since then, it has expanded its menu according to the ever changing needs of foodies. From secret menu items to classic Mexican staples such as burritos and quesadillas, Taco Bell provides no shortage of flavors and appetizing aromas on a budget. What's more, the company has long been renowned for its diverse menu, with many of the offerings being accidentally vegetarian.

However, not everything available is truly scrumptious. While we can't always expect the finest cuisine from a fast food joint, there are certain standards that even the fastest of fast food chains really ought to abide by. Just because one is in the mood for a budget-friendly burrito at 2:00 a.m., it doesn't mean it should compromise on taste. Additionally, Taco Bell has been known to engage in some rather dubious and eyecatching cooking techniques throughout the years, which just may make you think twice before placing that order.

Of course, the majority of food at Taco Bell is undeniably delicious and packed with zesty and fulfilling flavors. But there are always going to be a few duds in an otherwise tantalizing selection, particularly considering that the restaurant's menu is pretty lengthy and varied. Let's take a look at which items  you should think twice about before parting with your dough. Here are 12 foods you might want to reconsider ordering at Taco Bell.

Taco Bell offers many great meat-free options for customers, however, vegetarians and omnivores alike may want to consider steering clear of the Bean Burrito. Beans are a great source of fiber — when they're real. Unfortunately, rumor has it that Taco Bell uses rather inauthentic beans for its burritos. 

In 2020, a TikTok video in which a Taco Bell employee exposed how the company really makes its beans went viral. The employee is shown pouring boiling hot water over dehydrated bean product and stirring the unpalatable-looking goo, leading to collective disgust from viewers. On Twitter, a number of fellow employees commented to confirm that this is indeed how the fast food chain makes its refried beans. "Yeah, I worked at Taco Bell. Those are the beans," tweeted one former employee. "Everything, the cheese, sauce, [and] beef, it has to be made and prepped like that. It's disgusting!" Big yikes.

Other users, however, pointed out that one can hardly expect fresh organic beans from a fast food restaurant. While this sentiment is certainly true to an extent, critics argue that Taco Bell doesn't exactly compensate for the inauthentic quality with an authentic taste. As Insider argues, the Bean Burrito is somewhat of a mess, with the beans overpowering the other ingredients. And considering that we now know how those beans are made, you may want to skip this one entirely.

Whereas a number of fast food restaurants offer healthy options, many of Taco Bell's items are heavy on the grease. It should come as little surprise, then, that the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito is one such item.

As the name suggests, this layered burrito is stacked full of beef and beans, with layers of cheese, including regular and nacho, along with sour cream. The Taco Bell website even makes a point of noting that this one doesn't come with lettuce or any other added veggies. It contains 7 grams of saturated fat, which makes up 35% of the recommended daily amount, and 55% of an adult's recommended daily sodium intake. The American Heart Foundation highlights that excess saturated fat can cause high cholesterol, and advises that one's diet should consist of around 5% to 6% of saturated fat, a mere fraction of what the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito offers. High levels of sodium can cause similar health problems over time. It should be noted, though, that folks can still enjoy foods high in fat and salt in moderation.

So while there's nothing wrong with indulging in salty comfort food every so often, many argue that the Beefy 5-Layer Burrito simply isn't worth it. On Reddit, users have lamented that it's almost always a hit and miss item, based entirely around how dry the beef and beans are. When Taco Bell gets the consistency wrong, this burrito can taste pretty disgusting.

Taco Bell first introduced the Quesarito, which is essentially a marriage of the burrito and quesadilla, back in 2014, per Business Insider. Unlike the standard burritos on the menu, the Quesarito is much thicker, with added layers of beef, cheese, and rice. 

It's also one of the most calorie-dense items on the menu, and also contains a whopping 65% of one's daily recommended saturated fat intake, and 62% of the recommended sodium, per the Taco Bell website. In addition, it's heavy on refined and processed ingredients. Accordingly, you may want to avoid this one if you're on a low fat or low salt diet.

Aside from being unsuitable for certain diets, some critics argue that Taco Bell hasn't quite mastered the balance of ingredients in the Quesarito. According to Thrillist, the cheese is far too overpowering, leaving your mouth drenched in a surplus of gooey sauce. The outlet also argues that the flavors aren't separate enough from the regular burritos to merit giving this one a try. The Impulsive Buy makes similar criticisms, noting that Taco Bell is way too generous on the sour cream, while the beef is watery and resembles a puree, rather than providing a meaty kick. There are certainly better options available on the menu, like the chicken or steak quesadilla, which are both fan favorites. 

Having been discontinued in the '90s, the Chili Cheese Burrito was brought back to Taco Bell menus nationwide following a public outcry. This burrito is pretty simple, and as the name suggests, it contains little more than heaps of chili and cheese. Here's the problem, though, the shredded cheddar cheese may prove just a tad too inauthentic for cheese lovers. As detailed on the Taco Bell website, the shredded cheese is made with an anti-caking agent, also known as cellulose. There's been much controversy surrounding cellulose in recent years, as it's made with wood pulp.

As Eater notes, there was concern over the potential dangers of wood pulp in cheese following an investigation by Bloomberg. However, food safety specialists say that the problem with wood pulp lies not in the supposed dangers (it is, overall, a safe ingredient as long as it doesn't exceed 4%), but in the fact that it's ultimately used to dupe consumers into believing that food is healthier than it is. "I'm not of the opinion that it's necessarily harmful, of all the additives out there," explained Jaydee Hanson of the Center for Food Safety. "It's just a cheap way to make a product appear to be healthier than it is. But you probably want to get your fiber from whole wheat instead of whole wood." So, if you're a cheese aficionado you may want to reconsider eating Taco Bell's wood pulp-infused burrito.

Speaking of cheese, Taco Bell's Cheesy Gordita Crunch Supreme is another offering caked in creaminess and, well, anti-caking agent. It contains seasoned beef, spicy ranch, cheese, a three-cheese blend, sour cream, and tomatoes, and is served in a warm flatbread. As El Meson highlights, the supreme variety is one of the least healthy options available at the fast food chain, so it may be unsuitable for those looking for a more heart-healthy snack.

What's more, there has long been controversy surrounding Taco Bell's seasoned beef. In 2011, the company was sued over claims that its meat contained only 35% beef, per NPR. The lawsuit forced Taco Bell to reveal a dirty little secret: Its meat actually contains 88% beef. This raised questions as to what else was being added to it. The Taco Bell website shows that the beef in the Cheesy Gordita Crunch Supreme contains all manner of additives, including maltodextrin, which is an extremely processed carbohydrate that can potentially raise your blood sugar levels, per MDVIP.

And according to one Reddit user who used to work at Taco Bell, you might want to think twice before eating the seasoned beef due to the manner in which it's handled. "After 9 p.m. most crews at Taco Bell are getting ready for close by removing the food from their heated pans into pans lined with plastic bags, decreasing serving temps and increasing bacterium," they explained. "The later it gets, the worse the food is going to punish you in the morning." Yikes!

The Mexican Pizza is a scrumptious delicacy, but it needs to be done right. Although it was once a fan favorite, Taco Bell's version of Mexican Pizza has proven one of the most reviled items on the menu as of late. This is largely due to the new recipe the company introduced in 2022, which was apparently near unrecognizable from the original Mexican Pizza that fans came to love. 

As The Street reports, angry consumers vented their frustrations on Twitter, lamenting that the shell is too greasy and lacks the crunch of the original recipe. One customer tweeted a rather revolting snap of their pizza, which resembled a cheesy, gelatinous mess. "It was a hard shell with a couple scoops of beef and beans smashed together with another shell," they vented. Meanwhile, others complained about the apparently gooey taste and messy eating experience.

According to some Reddit users, it's the worst item on the menu due to the sogginess, sloppiness, and overall antiquated and bland flavors. A review by TheReportOfTheWeek echoes such sentiments, with the blogger opening the pizza box to unveil something that looks, at best, like smushed lasagna. He also notes that it's severely lacking in spices and flavor, with this one proving a far cry from the company's Mexican Pizza of yesteryear. After all, Taco Bell is not a pizza joint, so those looking for an authentic Mexican pie might want to consider avoiding this one and stopping by a dedicated pizzeria instead.

On the surface, the Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa sounds like a heavenly marriage of beef, cheese, and chipotle, ready to tantalize your senses. But as with a number of items in this rundown, Taco Bell doesn't quite master the distribution of ingredients, leading some contents to overpower others.

According to Thrillist, there's hardly any cheese in this chalupa, the beef ratio is off, and there's a tad too much lettuce. While eating extra veggies is usually a plus, they ideally shouldn't be the main character of a chalupa, which traditionally packs on hearty portions of cheese and meat. Likewise, Timmy's Takeout argues that this offering, while decent, isn't anything special and thus isn't worth rushing out to buy anytime soon.

Meanwhile, on Reddit, Taco Bell fans suggest that this is ultimately a lazy offering on the part of the company, with the Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa being barely distinguishable from the regular chalupa (save for swapping sour cream with chipotle). Moreover, one user notes that the main difference between the two offerings is the price. Essentially, folks are being charged 40 cents extra for chipotle sauce. While the overall flavor is a win, there are certainly other items at the fast food chain that will better fulfill your meaty and cheesy expectations. Better yet, save your cash and simply buy a regular chalupa.

One of the most simple items on the Taco Bell menu, the Cheesy Roll Up is, well, little more than rolled up cheese. The company melts its three cheese blend, which is then encased in a flour tortilla. When it comes to the ingredients listed, there's no denying that, as simple as this may be, it's also one of the most processed items on the Taco Bell menu. It contains American Cheese, which, as Healthline points out, is one of the unhealthiest cheeses around, increasing one's risk of developing atherosclerosis, a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.

Moreover, at $1, some folks on Reddit argue that it simply isn't worth the money. "I got it once when I was young and was like 'Wow! What a waste of a dollar!'" one irate user wrote. "It's not even worth a dollar! 50 cents at most! It is not even a quesadilla, it is the flattest little strip of tortilla with the least amount of cheese inside. Usually, it's just mostly tortilla."

Indeed, Taco Bell has been known to skimp on the cheese in the roll ups, as one unlucky restaurant patron in California found out. Writing on Trip Advisor, the disgruntled consumer posted a snap of their sorry excuse for a roll up, which was 90% tortilla, with a few crumbs of shredded cheese dispersed inside. Ick!

There are a number of tasty sides available at Taco Bell, but you may want to reconsider ordering the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes the next time you're in the mood for Tex-Mex. The potatoes are topped with the company's signature nacho sauce and sour cream, a medley that doubtlessly sounds delicious on the surface. But despite the seemingly winning combo of crispy potatoes, cheese, and cream, many argue that this side is nonetheless lacking in the flavor department.

According to Spicy Food Reviews, these reek of home baked potatoes, rather than freshly cooked ones, which isn't exactly a green flag. Taco Bell is indeed known to use frozen potatoes. The lack of crispiness also bestows a somewhat bland palate, which is worsened by the addition of sour cream. Typically, Mexican potatoes are served crispy, so the lack of crunch in these really does the delicacy a disservice. 

Similarly, Old Nerd Reviews declares that these don't live up to the hype, which is a common problem it seems when Taco Bell reintroduces old menu favorites. At $1.99, the price is also fairly steep for a small portion, so ordering it isn't really going to be worth your while, particularly when funds are tight and value is paramount. If you really want to order these, consider swapping out the sour cream for different toppings that will enhance the flavor, such as hot sauce.

In recent years, Taco Bell has made strides towards offering consumers more vegetarian options. But the Black Beans and Rice arguably isn't the best veggie meal on the menu. Much like the restaurant's beans, Taco Bell's rice is cooked in a rather unappealing way. 

A restaurant employee posted a TikTok video that detailed the rice-making process, which involves dunking dry rice in boiling water and oil. "I worked for TB for 2 years. This is indeed how it is made," commented one user. "Their beans are made similarly, just no oil and a bunch of water with dehydrated beans that look like rabbit food." Additionally, a review by Timmy's Takeout highlights that the Black Beans and Rice does taste super processed, which is to be expected from the menu's manufacturing methods. The blogger also states that the beans are rather bland, so there are certainly other, more flavorful options that you can order from the fast food chain's menu.

While this option is by no means one of the unhealthiest Taco Bell offerings, CNN recommends that carb-conscious individuals should reconsider eating the Black Beans and Rice. This is due to the high carb content. This dish, however, contains no saturated fat, though it does have a high sodium content. And like the Cheesy Gordita Crunch Supreme, the rice contains maltodextrin, which may be unsuitable for those who need to closely monitor their blood sugar levels.

Taco Bell doesn't offer many desserts, and the Cinnamon Twists are one of the few sweet treats around. Subsequently, this menu item has been embroiled in outlandish conspiracy theories of late. 

In 2021, a TikTok video, purporting to expose how Cinnamon Twists are made, went viral. According to the user who uploaded the video, Cinnamon Twists are nothing more than deep fried noodles, leading to collective outrage in the comments section. Yet, Taco Bell does not necessarily deny that its twists are made like this. The website lists the main ingredients as wheat flour, yellow corn meal, and rice flour, plus cinnamon flavorings. However, an investigation by Snopes found that folks can't expect to make this sweet treat at home simply by deep frying pasta and the store also doesn't do so either. Namely, the twists require a dough that is entirely different from pasta.

And while Cinnamon Twists may not be deep fried pasta sprinkled with spices, they're hardly a ton more interesting than that conspiracy-laden concoction. They're arguably one of the blandest items on the otherwise tantalizing Taco Bell menu. Worse, still, is that a number of customers have found that Cinnamon Twists may potentially come with unpleasant surprises. On Reddit, folks have found that these sometimes taste like they've been dipped in chlorine. According to one commenter, this icky palate is due to the way the rotini-shaped bites are cooked; when the oil goes bad, they taste plain awful. You may want to omit them from your next Taco Bell order.

As previously mentioned, Taco Bell typically uses frozen potatoes, so those looking for freshly made sides should reconsider ordering the Nacho Fries. As a former employee explained on Quora, "Pretty much everything is frozen. It's all delivered frozen and stored. The nacho chips are also frozen but they're uncooked and are fried every morning." The nacho cheese sauce has a similarly inauthentic and manufactured feel to it. Eater suggests that it has a chemical consistency hence the plasticky yellow color, which, truth be told, hardly sounds appealing and is indicative of low-quality ingredients. As for the fries, the outlet argues that, despite a crispy exterior, they're too mushy to be considered appetizing.

A user on Reddit agrees that there is something off about the nacho sauce, arguing that it only works on chips as opposed to potatoes, and advising that shredded cheddar is preferable to the nacho variety. "It honestly tastes like gas station nacho cheese, and that's not a good thing," they wrote.

Furthermore, you may want to reconsider ordering these fries if you're looking for a healthy side. Taco Bell certainly has numerous healthy options on its menu, but these aren't among them. As WebMD points out, nacho sauce is one of the unhealthiest sauces around, containing hefty amounts of salt, which can potentially cause heightened cholesterol when consumed in excess. According to Fast Food Nutrition, Taco Bell really does pack on the sodium with its Nacho Fries, containing 26% of the recommended daily intake.