Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for. The return of the Taco Bell MEXICAN PIZZA!
In 1985, Taco Bell officially released its new creation, the Mexican Pizza, nationwide. The Mexican Pizza consists of seasoned ground beef spread between two crispy corn tortilla shells, then loaded up with a 3-cheese blend, beans, Mexican pizza sauce, and topped off with fresh diced tomatoes. A true masterpiece that lived in our hearts (and stomachs) until Taco Bell had a brilliantly dumb idea:
“Let’s get rid of the Mexican Pizza!” -Taco Bell honcho. (Probably, idk)
For some half-brained, unfathomable reason, the Big Wigs at ‘the Bell decided to remove the delicacy from the menu permanently in 2020. As if we didn’t have other things to be upset about during that wonderful year. The real reason Taco Bell decided to eliminate the Mexican Pizza was to allegedly “declutter” the menu, and make more room for new items. Ballsy move. But the decision didn’t bode well for fans of the south of the border pizza pie, and Taco Bell decided to bring the Mexican Pizza back by popular demand!
In full disclosure, I can’t actually remember the last time I had the south of the border pizza pie before it got sent to the chopping block. If I had to guess…many, many years ago. It’s quite possible many other people are like me and it slipped off their radar which was the reason Taco Bell took it off the menu in the first place…but I digress.
Let’s do this.
As I pull up but excitement starts building up. I’m a little surprised there isn’t a longer line. I mean, I did get there at 11:20 a.m. since I apparently expected more people to come running from the woodwork. The wait time wasn’t too bad, and now I’m off back to the radio station to either see what I’ve been missing, or be severely disappointed.
Not a bad looking box. It has a classic vibe with a nod to the year it was created, with an “Est. 1985” branding on the side.
It looks good! It’s a little lopsided from what I assume was the angle of my car seat, but that just gives this beauty character, right? So far, so good.
Next step: add the sauce. I went with mild. Not because I’m a wimp or anything, I just think it has the best overall flavor for most Taco Bell items. Now feast your eyes. Getting better looking every second. Like me.
Oh Sweet Dear Baby Jesus Mother Of God…would ya just look at that?! I’m not going to lie, but this looks better than I remember the old Mexican Pizzas. I *think* it feels heavier too. Usually it’s the other way around, where the nostalgia is so intense and you build it up in your head, but then you’re actually let down when you actually get reunited with whatever it is.
Taste test time.
Hmm.
It definitely didn’t taste like I remember. I can’t really explain it. First of all, NOT BAD! Not bad at all. It does, however, taste a little more bland than I expected. Maybe I didn’t put enough sauce on it (3 packets). Maybe they did something to the ingredients. Maybe they never were really that good, and it’s the nostalgia. Who’s to say? I will say, though, that I definitely won’t NOT eat one of these again. They’re good. Will I go out of my way to get one? Probably not. I think there are better (and more easy to eat) items on the menu.
Overall score: 5/10
