Taco Bell Brings Back Chili Cheese Burritos and 2000s Fan-Favorite Menu Items

IT’S HAPPENING! Taco Bell just announced something that’ll make every millennial’s heart skip a beat. The beloved fast-food chain is officially bringing back five of its most requested menu items from the 2000s with its new Decades Y2K Menu, launching nationwide on September 9!

If you’ve been desperately searching for that perfect Chili Cheese Burrito or mourning the loss of the Double Decker Taco, your prayers have finally been answered. This isn’t just another limited-time offer, oh no, it’s a full-blown nostalgia fest that’ll transport you straight back in time!

What’s Coming Back to Taco Bell Menus

The Decades Y2K Menu features five legendary items that fans have been begging to see again, all priced at $3 or less. Here’s what’s making its triumphant return:

Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos ($2.49) 

Remember when this blue-shelled beauty first appeared in 2013? It disappeared in 2019, leaving a Cool Ranch-shaped hole in our hearts. The tangy Doritos shell filled with seasoned beef, lettuce, and cheddar cheese is back to satisfy those specific cravings you didn’t even realize you still had.

Double Decker Taco ($2.49) 

This engineering marvel wraps a bean-filled soft tortilla around a crunchy taco shell, then loads it up with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese. First introduced in 1995 and gaining serious popularity in 2006, this item disappeared in 2019. Fans have been recreating it through menu hacks ever since!

7-Layer Burrito ($2.49) 

Vegetarians, rejoice! This meatless masterpiece layers refried beans, seasoned rice, reduced-fat sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend in perfect harmony. It was the gold standard of Taco Bell customization before vanishing in 2020.

Chili Cheese Burrito ($2.99)

Here’s where things get really interesting. This cult favorite (originally called the Chilito) has inspired its own fan-run tracking website because some locations never stopped serving it. Now it’s officially back everywhere, featuring hearty chili and cheddar cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Caramel Apple Empanada ($2.99) 

The sweet finale to this nostalgic lineup features a crispy golden crust filled with warm apple pieces and creamy caramel filling. Yum. This dessert disappeared in 2019 but briefly returned as part of last year’s original Decades Menu.

Beyond the Menu: Y2K Merchandise and Digital Pets

Taco Bell isn’t stopping at just food, either! They’re going full Y2K with limited-edition merchandise drops throughout September, including a collaboration with Ed Hardy. Rewards members can try to snag exclusive items such as bedazzled hats, digital watches, and vintage-style t-shirts during weekly Tuesday drops.

But perhaps the most 2000s thing of all? They’re introducing the Crunchkin, Taco Bell’s first digital pet inspired by their menu items. This adorable companion grows as you purchase Decades Y2K Menu items, unlocking mini-games and bonus rewards along the way. It’s like a Tamagotchi, but for Taco Bell fans.

Final Thoughts: The Power of Fan Demand

What makes this announcement so satisfying is knowing that genuine fan demand drove these returns. The Chili Cheese Burrito, in particular, has maintained an almost mythical status among Taco Bell devotees. Some Midwest locations never removed it from their menus, leading to the creation of online tracking tools to help fans locate the elusive item.

This Y2K revival follows the success of Taco Bell’s fan favorite menu items strategy from last year’s original Decades Menu, which brought back one item from each decade. The Caramel Apple Empanada was so popular during that promotion that it earned a spot on this expanded Y2K lineup. Also, for Taco Bell Rewards members, the nostalgia starts even earlier with exclusive early access to the Caramel Apple Empanada from September 2-8 through the mobile app.

Whether you’re a longtime fan who’s been waiting years for these comebacks or a curious newcomer ready to taste what all the fuss is about, the Decades Y2K Menu promises to deliver both flavor and feelings. After all, sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a delicious step back in time!