Taco Bell Is Bringing Back Potatoes and Experimenting with New Vegetarian Items
A plant-based protein is also in the works.
Photo courtesy of Taco Bell
Taco Bell is putting potatoes back on its menu after the spuds (and dishes that contain them) were removed amid the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to “streamline” operations during this difficult time.
The reintroduction of potatoes, which is slated to take place across participating Taco Bell locations nationwide in March, means customers can once again enjoy wildly popular menu items such as Potato Bites (which vegan and vegetarian customers often used as a meat substitute), Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco.
The fast-food chain confirmed potatoes would be making their triumphant return on March 11 and noted that they (along with the aforementioned potato-centric dishes) will be permanent Taco Bell menu items going forward.
“The return of our beloved potatoes is just the first step in showing our fans the strong continued commitment to vegetarians we are making this year,” Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s global chief food innovation officer, said in a statement to the media. “We have long been a leader in the vegetarian space, but this year, we have more meatless options in store that vegetarians, veggie-curious and even meat-eaters will love.”
To that end, Taco Bell confirmed the Spicy Potato Soft Taco will be available for $1 and the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes will be sold for $1.49 once they return to the menu at participating U.S. locations.
What’s more? The California-based chain also revealed that it’s teaming up with Beyond Meat to create “an innovative new plant-based protein” that will be tested in the next year. “Taco Bell chose to team up with Beyond Meat as a category leader with a proven track record of attracting younger customers with its irresistibly delicious plant-based offerings,” the statement said. “Although Taco Bell has long been a destination for vegetarians, this will be the brand’s first foray into plant-based meat in the U.S.”
While the return on potatoes and the upcoming debut of a plant-based protein is exciting, Taco Bell’s menu isn’t yet back to its full pre-coronavirus glory. Though the chain did bring back Nacho Fries after a brief, corona-related absence, its beloved Mexican Pizza is still MIA and fans aren’t happy about it.
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