Taco Bell Is Killing Off 9 Menu Items in Major Revamp

Back in the golden days of Taco Bell, a long five months ago, we ranked all 54 Taco Bell menu items. Since then, the low ranking but beloved Caramel Apple Empanada has been discontinued. The removal of a dessert that has been on the menu since 2004 came as a shock to many, and the fast food chain continued to surprise eaters with new additions in the months following, from spicy nacho fries to hash-brown stuffed burritos. Now, it's back at it again… with a total revamp.

Beginning September 12, Taco Bell is drastically changing its menu. The company explained its decision in a press release on Wednesday, by first asking customers if they'd ever "had that moment... where you just want to chop all your hair off, buy new clothes and get a fresh, new start?” A million readers nodding hesitantly, clutching their Double-Decker Taco as they continued reading. “Well, we kind of did a thing…” 

And the thing they did was remove the double-decker taco, along with eight other menu items. The company also gave the menu a new look and updated combo orders. I’ll give you the bad news first.

Here are the foods going bye-bye:

In our article, we ranked the Double Decker Taco as number 9, and the Cool Ranch & Fiery Doritos Locos Tacos as No. 11, so we’re a bit depressed over at Thrillist today. But I reckon the new combo orders almost make up for the loss:

And the menu itself will have a totally new look. T-Bell posted before and after pics on the release, and it ain't too shabby:

The big menu revamp isn't just shocking and tragic (RIP Cool Ranch Doritos Locos), but also kind of unusual. Typically, T-Bell doesn't want to draw attention to foods it deems unworthy of keeping around anymore, like the aforementioned Caramel Apple Empanada and everyone's childhood favorite order, the Meximelt, which the company quietly discontinued earlier this year. However, Taco Bell does like to routinely make a big deal out of taking away your favorite orders -- like the ever-popular Nacho Fries -- just so that you miss them and buy them like crazy when upon their eventual return (sound familiar?!). Maybe one or more of the newly axed offerings will rise from the dead some day. 

In conclusion, Taco Bell got quite the haircut with this revamp. Let’s just hope its Chalupa-loving fam approves. 

Sign up here for our daily Thrillist email and subscribe here for our YouTube channel to get your fix of the best in food/drink/fun.