From my earliest memories, the allure of the chalupa has always been strong. My Taco Bell journey began with the chalupa, a menu item that first graced their offerings back in 1999. As a child of nine, I admit the commercials featuring the charming Chihuahua were likely more captivating than the crispy, fried tortilla shell itself. However, it was the uniquely divine texture of that chalupa shell that cemented Taco Bell’s place as my favorite fast-food destination. While the Cheesy Gordita Crunch and Crunchwrap Supreme have since become my standard orders, the chalupa holds a special, nostalgic corner in my heart.
Therefore, any new iteration of my beloved chalupa immediately piques my interest. The latest creation, the Taco Bell Cheesy Street Chalupa, grabbed my attention even more intensely than usual. Are these street-style chalupas with extra cheese? Are they chalupas originating from a cheesy street concept? Regardless of the name’s origin, the promotional images of the new chalupa looked incredibly appealing, and I knew a Taco Bell visit was imminent on July 18th, the release date.
Taco Bell’s track record of satisfying my cravings remains unbroken, and I had a strong intuition this new offering would continue that trend. The Cheesy Street Chalupa has indeed proven to be my favorite special menu item from Taco Bell in recent memory.
The presentation of the new Cheesy Street Chalupas was a step above typical Taco Bell fare. They were wrapped with an unusual level of care, initially making me hesitant to unwrap them for fear of causing damage. However, they unwrapped cleanly, revealing the chalupas nestled in a small paper sleeve.
The first impression upon seeing the Cheesy Street Chalupas was their size. They are undeniably small, almost adorably so. Calling a chalupa “adorable” might sound unusual, but these are genuinely street taco-sized, approximately half the size of a standard Taco Bell chalupa. Fortunately, each order includes two chalupas. And trust me, you will definitely want two. They are exceptionally delicious.
The magic of these Cheesy Street Chalupas lies within their shells. They are generously stuffed with melted mozzarella and pepper jack cheese. Visible crispy edges of melted cheese adorn the shell, delivering an immediate cheesy burst with every bite. If you are a fan of traditional chalupa shells, these cheesy versions will elevate your experience to a new level. They were served hot and cheesy, boasting a delightful combination of crispiness and chewiness. Frankly, they were so flavorful they could be enjoyed on their own, without any filling. However, the addition of slow-roasted cantina chicken, a creamy jalapeño ranch sauce, and fresh onions and cilantro transforms this dish into something that feels more akin to authentic Mexican street food than typical fast food. And this is meant as high praise for Taco Bell.
I also sampled the Cheesy Street Chalupas with marinated steak. While they were also enjoyable, my preference leans heavily towards the cantina chicken filling. This preference isn’t just due to the chicken’s deliciousness, but also because steak isn’t typically what I crave from Taco Bell. The cantina chicken offers a unique flavor profile that complements the cheesy chalupa shell perfectly.
A pair of Cheesy Street Chalupas is priced at $5.49, and they are available for a limited time only. If you have any appreciation for Taco Bell’s innovative menu items, I urge you to head to your nearest location and give these a try. In my opinion, the Taco Bell Cheesy Street Chalupa might just be the best special menu item they have ever created.
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