As a long-time Taco Bell enthusiast, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of their menu, but nothing quite tugs at my fast-food heartstrings like the chalupa. My journey with Taco Bell began with the original chalupa back in 1999, swayed as much by the iconic Chihuahua commercials as the promise of a unique, crispy tortilla. While my Taco Bell favorites have shifted over the years to include the Cheesy Gordita Crunch and Crunchwrap Supreme, the chalupa holds a special nostalgic place in my fast-food palate.
So, when Taco Bell announced the Cheesy Street Chalupa, my interest was immediately piqued. The name itself conjured images of extra cheesy, street-style goodness. Were these a cheesy twist on street tacos, chalupa style? Intrigued, I eagerly anticipated their release on July 18th, confident that Taco Bell wouldn’t disappoint.
And they didn’t. The Cheesy Street Chalupa has quickly become my favorite limited-time menu item from Taco Bell in recent memory.
The Cheesy Street Chalupas from Taco Bell packaging presented a slightly more premium feel than standard Taco Bell fare, wrapped in a way that suggested a special touch. Despite my initial hesitation about potentially tearing the delicate packaging, I managed to unwrap them cleanly, revealing the chalupas nestled in a neat paper sleeve.
My first impression? These cheesy street chalupas are undeniably small, almost miniature. “Adorable” might seem like an unusual descriptor for fast food, but these street taco-sized chalupas are just that. About half the size of a regular chalupa, they are perfectly portioned, and thankfully, each order comes with two. Trust me, you’ll be glad it does – they are incredibly addictive.
The star of the Cheesy Street Chalupa is undoubtedly the shell. Stuffed with melted mozzarella and pepper jack cheese, each bite offers crispy edges of perfectly toasted cheese. If you’re a fan of Taco Bell’s classic chalupa shell, prepare to be blown away. These shells are a textural masterpiece: hot, cheesy, crispy, yet delightfully chewy. Honestly, they are so flavorful, I could happily eat the shells on their own. However, the generous filling of slow-roasted cantina chicken, creamy jalapeño ranch sauce, and fresh onions and cilantro elevates this dish from simple fast food to something surprisingly refined. Dare I say, it felt closer to a taco from a genuine Mexican restaurant than your typical Taco Bell offering, and I mean that as a high compliment to the Bell.
I also sampled the Cheesy Street Chalupas with marinated steak. While still enjoyable, the cantina chicken version stole the show. The chicken’s flavor profile complements the cheesy shell and fresh toppings perfectly. Steak, while a decent option, isn’t what I typically crave from Taco Bell when their chicken is this good.
Priced at $5.49 for a pair, the Cheesy Street Chalupas are available for a limited time only. If you have even a passing fondness for Taco Bell, I urge you to try these. In my opinion, the Cheesy Street Chalupa is not just another menu addition; it might just be Taco Bell’s best limited-time offering yet.
