Taco Bell Releases Three New Menu Items, but There’s a Catch

Taco Bell is known for rotating its menu regularly, experimenting with fresh new items, and bringing back discontinued fan-favorites. This month, the fast food giant released three brand-new menu items that have fans excited. However, there’s a catch. Here’s what you should know about the new additions.

What’s the Catch?

While Taco Bell fans are excited to try the new experimental menu items, unfortunately, not everyone has access to them. Taco Bell only rolled out the new items in certain areas, where some lucky foodies can try them. This is an effort to test different products in new markets before a full rollout.

Cantina Chicken Double Tostada

Over in Austin, Texas, Taco Bell is testing out the Cantina Chicken Double Tostada. This item involves the slow-roasted chicken they are known for and stacks it between two crunchy tostadas, with black beans, purple cabbage, and fresh pico de gallo. Avocado Verde sauce, melty three-cheese blend, and sour cream complete the meal and it costs around $6.99.

Upgrading the Cheesy Dipping Burrito

In Charlotte, North Carolina, they’re reimagining the Cheesy Dipping Burritos with the new Double Dipping Burritos. These burritos come in a snack-sized two pack. They are stuffed with either grilled steak or slow-roasted chicken, lots of cheese, and Taco Bell’s Avocado Ranch sauce. What really sets them apart is the split dip cup, which is half filled with Chile Lime Crema, the half with a crunchy mix of tortilla strips and cotija cheese. That combo of dip and crunchy is what Taco Bell is known (and loved) for.

Energy Refrescas

Over in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taco Bell is introducing Energy Refrescas. These are four new refreshing caffeinated drinks to beat the afternoon slump. Two of them are powered by Rockstar Energy (about 200 mg caffeine) and come in Tropical Punch and Pineapple Lime flavors. The other two use green coffee extract (about 160 mg caffeine) with flavors like Electric Punch and Berry Burst. They’re priced at around $4.99.

Test Markets

Not all of these items are everywhere yet. Taco Bell is testing each in different cities: Austin, Charlotte, and the San Francisco region. So, depending on where you live, you might need to travel to try some of them. If something proves popular, there’s a chance it becomes more widely available.

Flavor & Texture: What’s New

Taco Bell is no stranger to experimentation. Each of these new offerings brings something unique in texture and flavor balance. The Double Tostada is crunchy and layered. The Dipping Burritos combine creamy sauces and crisps. The Energy Refrescas play with sweet, tart, and caffeinated energy boosts. Together, they show Taco Bell is leaning into variation.

Pricing That Matches the Novelty

These aren’t the cheapest items on the menu, but the price points seem reasonable given their extras. Fast food has noticeably increased across the board in recent years, but Taco Bell remains on the more affordable side in comparison to some of its fast food competitors. 

What This Means for Fan Favorites

If these items test well, they could signal what future Taco Bell menus will be bringing back from the rolodex of fan-favorites. Fans who love bold textures or funky drinks might be in for a treat. It could also mean some shake-ups with the existing lineups if these new items push older ones out.

Should You Try Them?

If you’re near one of the test cities, these items are worth trying just for the novelty. Whether you’re a dip lover, a crunch fanatic, or in need of an energy lift, there’s something here for you. And if you can’t try them yet, keep an eye on announcements—these test menu items have a chance of going national.