Taco Bell Testing New Menu Items for Possible Nationwide Inclusion

Taco Bell has been testing new menu items in Ohio and North Carolina for potential nationwide inclusion.

According to USA Today, the Caliente Cantina Chicken Burrito in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas in Charlotte, North Carolina, are two of the new dishes that the Mexican-inspired fast-food chain has begun trying out as of Thursday, Sept. 26.

The $5.99 burrito, which is part of the chain’s recently announced Cantina Chicken Menu, comes with a new spicy condiment called Caliente Sauce, which blends red pepper, red jalapeño pepper, and ghost chili pepper. Taco Bell is trying to capitalize on Americans’ love of chicken, so in March, it unveiled a new menu that comprised tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and a Cantina Chicken Bowl. The menu went national.

The Strawberry Passionfruit Aguas Refrescas, a 20-ounce cup of green tea drink blended with dehydrated strawberry bits, is available to Charlotte residents for $3.99. Taco Bell started testing fruit-infused Agua Refrescas in April at a restaurant in Southern California. The two additional varieties available in that location are Peach Mango and Dragonfruit Berry.

Taco Bell’s Other Newly Introduced Menu Items

Earlier this week, the popular fast-food chain announced the return of the Big Cheez-It Menu, which is only available for a limited time.

Customers wanted more flavor when the Big Cheez-It was introduced nationwide in June. To that aim, the massive fast-food chain and Kellanova are adding even more cheese to the Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme and reviving the Big Cheez-It novelties.

The beloved Big Cheez-It Tostada, an enhanced Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme with an extra Big Cheez-It cracker inside, and an a la carte Big Cheez-It cracker are all available to fans.

Taco Bell’s commitment to client feedback is demonstrated by its decision to reintroduce the Big Cheez-It on a nationwide level. The Big Cheez-It Cracker and the upgraded Big Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme aim to fully satisfy fans’ cheez-y cravings in response to their comments.

Additionally, National Taco Day was originally scheduled for Oct. 4, but to align with Taco Tuesday from this year on, Taco Bell worked with the National Day Calendar to move the holiday to always fall on a Tuesday. This year, the date was moved to Oct. 1.