A definitive ranking of every item on the Taco Bell dollar menu
Taco Bell is never a bad idea.
Read more: Jeopardy contestant says he’d spend winnings on Taco Bell, gets best response
It’s a tried and true favorite, but sometimes, people can get stuck in a rut ordering the same thing off the menu. Also, if you only have a few bucks to spare, you need to make sure you are spending them wisely and getting the most for your money.
That’s where the magical dollar menu comes in.
It allows people to try new things without breaking the bank. If you’ve never ventured to Taco Bell’s dollar menu, don’t be scared—we’ve got it totally figured out. We’ve made a definitive ranking of all the treats the dollar menu has to offer. It might be controversial because people have such strong feelings about Taco Bell, but we stand by it.
11. Cheesy roll up
This is just a complete waste of time. Why would you buy a plain tortilla filled with cheese when you can get a tortilla filled with meat, beans, potatoes, etc. for the same price? This option is made for picky children, and to sell it alongside other (more flavorful) options is pretty laughable.
10. Triple layer nachos
The name of this item sounds hefty, but the layers are just goops of nacho cheese sauce, refried beans and “red sauce.” It’s way too much liquid, which gets gross. It needs some meat or vegetables to add another texture. Also, the presentation needs some work. Taco Bell isn’t known for pretty foods, but this looks repulsive.
9. Cinnabon delights two pack
This might be controversial because some people LOVE these things, but they sound way better than they taste. They are satisfying to eat, like Gushers, but the filling doesn’t have the same flavor as the classic Cinnabon icing. It just tastes almost too artificial to enjoy. Props for Taco Bell selling two for a dollar though because that is a good deal.
8. Caramel apple empanada
This dessert would be ranked better if it didn’t scald your mouth every time you bit into one. The caramel to apple ratio is a bit off, but that could be overlooked if it didn’t leave blisters in your mouth after eating it.
7. Cheesy bean and rice burrito
When Taco Bell puts rice and refried beans together in tortillas, it tends to get pretty soggy very quickly. When you add the nacho cheese sauce and creamy jalapeno sauce, it’s even more amplified. It’s not that this menu item is bad; it’s just not very good.
6. Spicy potato soft taco
Taco Bell’s potatoes are amazing, so this is an underrated menu item. It’s not as standout as some of the other options, but it’s delicious. Our one complaint is that it could be spicier, but otherwise it’s a solid choice if you have a buck to spare.
5. Beefy mini quesadilla
It’s a classic menu item that will never get old. It comforts you and provides that classic Taco Bell taste that you crave. It might not have all of the bells and whistles that other menu items have, but you can’t be mad eating one of these.
4. Cinnamon twists
Putting cinnamon twists any lower on this list would be a crime. They’ve stood the test of time on the Taco Bell menu and deserve to be recognized. Cinnamon twists are so enjoyable because they give you the crunchy sensation of eating chips, and they are both a dessert AND a side. They pair perfectly with anything and everything on the Taco Bell menu, so it’s almost sacrilegious if you don’t spare a dollar and add them to your order.
3. Beefy Fritos burrito
This menu option seems like it came directly from the mind of a stoner, but in a good way. It doesn’t try to be too much by only including beef, cheese, Fritos and rice, but the Fritos make it just weird enough. It’s one of the few dollar menu items that feels like a complete meal. We’ll take eight of them, please.
2. Spicy tostada
This might look ugly, and it is extremely messy to eat, but it tastes great which is all that matters. There’s so much going on here that you don’t even realize it’s a vegetarian option. The combination of beans, cheese, red sauce and chipotle sauce is sinfully good, but there’s vegetables on it to (maybe) make you feel a little better about eating it. It gets soggy as expected, but that doesn’t even matter because of how tasty it is. Also, it’s a pretty decent size for a dollar menu item which earns it some extra points.
1. Shredded chicken mini quesadilla
Ah, our tried and true. It seems basic, but it is anything but. The shredded chicken is seasoned well, and the chipotle sauce adds something different to it. Whereas the beefy mini quesadilla is a safe choice, this option is the better choice. It might be tiny, but that just means you can eat more of them.
Do you agree with our ranking? Let us know in the comments!
