Isaac is the news editor and opinions editor. He is also one of two managing editors and loves Taco Bell.
Taco Bell reintroduced several menu items from the 2000s, including the Cool Ranch Doritos locos taco (CRDLT), caramel apple empanada, chili cheese burrito, double decker taco and 7-layer burrito. They also introduced a line of vanilla cream soda freezes, which, as the app says, “puts an icy spin on a nostalgic favorite.”
With this promotion, Bell birthed “Chrunchkins”: a little pixelated taco character in the app that gives users points for playing games with them. Their name: Chruncho. Often wearing different glasses and set in varying scenes, Cruncho is having a good time.
The first of the games was matching, which was simple, easy and honestly a little boring. Even though you can play the games multiple times, you can only get the points once, and I believe this one offered 25 — I got my points and ran.
Looking forward to the second week’s game, I was not disappointed. I played ping pong as a taco against a burrito, and it was quite a quality game. Cruncho was also wearing hippie sunglasses, which was very fun. 50 points and a 10/10 rating for ping pong.
The third and final week, at least before this article is published, had a “Caterpillar” game, a spin on the classic “Snake.” Unfortunately, this take on “Snake” was very stressful and required precise timing but it was quick and gave me 75 points.
By playing these games and ordering items, you could win a “Y2K Decades Merch Capsule.” This may sound like an ad, but this is the perfect promotion to me.
In the “Don’t Miss This” section of the home page in the Taco Bell app, there is an option titled “Y2K Haul of Fame” to order a $9 Discovery Luxe Box. “It’s 2005 again.”
I was born in 2005, so this promotion is not necessarily nostalgic to me, but I love the idea of bringing back the old and making it new with fun modern enhancements like the Chrunchkins.
Finally: the food review. I have never reviewed food before, but I love Taco Bell, so I believe now is the time to. I ordered the orange vanilla cream soda freeze, chili cheese burrito, double decker taco and the Cool Ranch Doritos locos taco.
Throughout the food-eating experience, I sipped the orange vanilla cream soda freeze, which had a perfect orange cream taste and was a great palate cleanser, earning it an 8/10.
Starting with the chili cheese burrito was probably the least interesting, as it was just the ingredients listed in the name. While it was not interesting, it was quite tasty and the texture was enjoyable, giving it an 8/10.
The double decker taco wrapped a refried bean layered tortilla around a crunchy taco with beef, lettuce and cheese. I felt that there was too much bean taste going on but the texture balance was good, landing it a 6/10.
Now the CRDLT. I have always enjoyed the regular Doritos locos tacos, but this one was wonderful. Imagine nachos but dipping with Cool Ranch Doritos — a beautiful enhancement and a 9/10. It would have only been better with a stronger flavor from the ranch seasoning.
Of course every business, especially one as large as Taco Bell, cares deeply about the money and makes every attempt to make more. However, I truly believe that Taco Bell cares about its fans just as much. Because of promotional events like this one, they have created a fanbase comparable to a musician, TV show or movie. I love Taco Bell, and Taco Bell loves me.
The Cool Ranch Doritos locos taco was Isaac Fick’s favorite Y2K item, followed by the chili cheese burrito.
