The 6 Taco Bell Secret Menu Items Worth Trying—and 2 to Avoid at All Costs

Oh, Taco Bell: Thank you for normalizing the Fourth Meal, staying open until 2 a.m. (with some drive-thrus open 24 hours ) and gracing us with an app that lets you customize every meal in so many ways that I’m actually tempted to put my high school factorials knowledge to work to understand how many variations of a Crunchwrap exist (almost). It’s no wonder that fans routinely share their creations on TikTok and Instagram, under the label of the illustrious Taco Bell Secret Menu.

And like any fast food secret menu, the first rule of the menu is: You don’t order anything by its TikTok-viral name. Since the secret menu is fan created, most employees have no idea what a “Hulk Burrito” is—but they can easily make it if you ask for a 5-Layer Burrito with guac instead of nacho cheese. (And, more gloriously, you don’t even have to talk to a human to make these awkwardly substitution-heavy orders; most can be requested directly through the app, sparing you from repeatedly shouting instructions through a drive-thru speaker.)Given the dozens of hacks out there, I had to know: Which Taco Bell Secret Menu items are worth trying? After consuming more tacos, nachos and Nacho Fries than I’d care to admit, here are my (very crucial, undoubtedly Pulitzer-worthy) findings.

10 Keto Taco Bell Hacks That Won't Mess Up Your Diet

6 Taco Bell Secret Menu Items Worth Trying

1. The “Practically a Salad” Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco

candace davison

Taco Bell’s latest trick is putting cheese in everything, then throwing more on the outside and grilling it for good measure. And you know what? I’m OK with that. But the Cantina Chicken Taco, with its slow-roasted chicken, cheese and creamy jalapeño sauce, can feel a bit greasy. Add guac and pico de gallo, and suddenly, the whole meal is brightened up. The creaminess of the guac offsets the grease and offers a nice contrast to the crunch of the taco. You’ll feel almost virtuous eating it.

2. The Spicy Bean & Potato Taco

candace davison

Vegetarians, this one’s for you. Take the Spicy Potato Taco and add black beans for an extra boost of fiber and protein . It’s a hearty, satisfying way to feed yourself for less than $2.

3. Any Burrito on the Cravings Menu, Grilled

candace davison

If you want to instantly elevate any burrito on the Cravings Menu—aka Taco Bell’s lineup of under-$3 specialties—click “customize” in the app and scroll down to “styles,” then select “make it grilled.” There’s something about that smooshed, slightly crisp burrito that makes it taste just a bit elevated. Adding a drizzle of spicy ranch or creamy jalapeño sauce doesn’t hurt either.

4. Overloaded Beef Nachos

candace davison

While you may get more food when ordering a Nachos BellGrande, choose quality over quantity and ask for the Loaded Beef Nachos, then add Chipotle sauce, pico de gallo and lettuce. You’ll have the refreshing coolness and crunch from the produce, and the sauces offer a little more tangy spice to the standard nachos, which feature beef, cheese, refried beans, red sauce (aka enchilada sauce) and sour cream. Though prices may vary, at my Taco Bell, this combo costs $4, so I’m still saving $2 by ordering it instead of the beans-and-cheese-heavy BellGrande.

5. Nacho Fries-Stuffed Anything

candace davison

Want to make a meal heartier for less than 75 cents? Add Nacho Fries. The taco-seasoned fries are enjoying their longest run on the menu yet, so you might as well make the most of their existence and add them to everything you can. When they’re off, you can substitute fiesta potatoes for a similar texture. (Oh, and PS, starting July 18 you can get even wilder with your fry-based creations, since T-Bell will be launching Jalapeño Ranch Nacho Fries, aka the fries you know and love topped with a spicy ranch sauce.)

If you’re not sure where to start, might I suggest the next item on this list?

6. The Not-Chicken, Barely Enchilada Burrito

candace davison

Another Cravings Menu favorite, the Chicken Enchilada burrito is loaded with three cheese, rice, red sauce, sour cream and chicken. But it’s even better when you swap the chicken for steak and add red cabbage (for crunch) and fries (to mellow out the other extreme flavors).

2 Secret Menu Hacks to Avoid

Avoid: Adding Lettuce to Grilled Burritos

candace davison

Adding lettuce is another easy way to elevate Cravings Menu items (which, surprisingly, rarely contain greens). And it’s affordable, at just 20 cents more (again, prices may vary, depending on where you order). But! If you’re grilling your burrito, skip this addition and opt for red cabbage. The lettuce wilts and turns stringy; the tougher cabbage can take the heat better.

Avoid: Getting Saucy with the Cheez-It Tostada

Taco Bell

What mass-produced chip or cracker won’t those evil geniuses at Taco Bell stuff into its foods? You can add a massive, palm-sized Cheez-It to a Crunchwrap, or enjoy it as a tostada, but if you do, opt for drier toppings and ask for your sauce on the side, adding it just before each bite. If not, the cheesy cracker turns soggy fast, resulting in more mess than it’s worth.