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Taco Bell tests freshly fried blue corn taco shell in 73 unitsTaco Bell tests freshly fried blue corn taco shell in 73 units

Chain is also testing a Triplelupa in Southern California

Nancy Luna, Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

November 21, 2018

1 Min Read
taco bell
Taco Bell

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 21, Taco Bell is introducing two test items in select markets, including the Midnight Melt Taco, which was first introduced in Southern California in late summer.

The Midnight Melt Taco generated buzz earlier this year because it lacked the wackiness fans have come to love about Taco Bell. This slightly more elevated taco was first tested in 12 stores in Orange County, Calif. A blue corn tortilla shell fried in-house is stuffed with a layer of melted cheeses, seasoned beef, shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and tomatoes.

It is $1.99 à la carte. It can be purchased as part of a $5 Box, which also includes a Beefy 5 Layer Burrito, a crunchy taco, cinnamon twists, and a medium drink. The item is available through late December in 73 stores in Minneapolis.   

The blue shell taco is no longer in test in Orange County, but fans in the area, home to Taco Bell’s headquarters in Irvine, can check out another test item that better fits its reputation for wild and wacky Mexican-inspired foods.

taco-bell-triplelupa.jpg

The Triplelupa

Behold the Triplelupa.

It is a three-in-one tear-apart crispy Chalupa topped with seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, lettuce and tomatoes. One side is layered with nacho cheese sauce while the other is drizzled with chipotle sauce. The middle contains a blend of both sauces “creating the ultimate cheesy chipotle flavor,” Taco Bell said.

The Triplelupa is available through Dec. 12 in 11 Orange County restaurants and one in southeast Los Angeles. It is available only as an à la carte item for $1.49.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven

About the Author

Nancy Luna

Senior editor, Nation's Restaurant News

Nancy Luna is a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and a contributing editor at Supermarket News. She covers the industry's largest and most talked about fast-food brands including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Subway. She is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years reporting experience. As a veteran business reporter based in Southern California, Nancy has covered some of the country's most beloved food and retail brands including In-N-Out, Taco Bell, Trader Joe's, Aldi, Whole Foods Market, Target and Costco. Luna is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton. When she's not digging for news on her beat, you can find Nancy regaling her fans about her latest dining adventures on her Fast Food Maven social media channels. Contact [email protected]  or follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fastfoodmaven

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