Taco Bell has officially dropped a nostalgic bombshell: five legendary dishes from the 2000s are returning to menus nationwide this September. Dubbed the Decades Y2K Menu, the revival is more than just food—it’s a cultural callback to CD players, low-rise jeans, and late-night Taco Bell runs that defined a generation.
From the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco to the long-lost Caramel Apple Empanada, Taco Bell is betting on the power of memory to bring fans back to the table.
Let’s explore the full lineup, why these dishes matter, and how Taco Bell is turning Y2K nostalgia into community loyalty.
Release Date & Early Access
- Nationwide launch: September 9, 2025
- Taco Bell Rewards early access: Starting September 2, 2025, members can order the Caramel Apple Empanada before the general release.
This early drop is part of Taco Bell’s revamped loyalty strategy, encouraging fans not just to order food, but to join an ecosystem of rewards, games, and exclusive perks.
don't worry, the bear made it right. pic.twitter.com/PxllzrLa8L
— Taco Bell (@tacobell) November 11, 2023
The 5 Returning Dishes
Here’s a breakdown of the five dishes making their comeback:
| Dish | Nostalgia Factor | Last Seen | What to Expect in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco | A cult favorite launched in 2012, with Doritos Cool Ranch dusted shells | Discontinued in 2019 | Full nationwide comeback |
| Double Decker Taco | A 1995 invention that gained traction in the 2000s for its bean-layered double shell | Removed in 2019 | Exact recipe return |
| 7-Layer Burrito | Vegetarian staple with beans, rice, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and cheese | Pulled in 2020 | Returns as a vegetarian option |
| Chili Cheese Burrito | Simple but beloved—chili wrapped in a warm tortilla, topped with melted cheddar | Limited regional availability | Now nationwide |
| Caramel Apple Empanada | Fried golden pastry filled with warm apples and caramel | Discontinued in 2019 | Rewards early release, then full launch |
Why Taco Bell Is Bringing Them Back
Taco Bell isn’t just chasing sales—it’s chasing emotional connection.
- Fan demand: Petitions, online forums, and viral campaigns begged for these dishes to return.
- Nostalgia marketing: Millennials and older Gen Z now have disposable income, and brands are targeting their memories.
- Low price appeal: Each item is expected to be priced under $3, making it both accessible and irresistible.
This strategy mirrors moves by McDonald’s (adult Happy Meals) and PepsiCo (bringing back discontinued sodas). It’s not just about food—it’s about selling a memory.
Spotlight: The Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco
Few items symbolize the 2000s Taco Bell era like the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco.
- Launched: 2012
- Impact: Sold more than 1 billion units within its first year.
- Discontinued: 2019, sparking widespread disappointment.
Now, after six years in the vault, it’s back. Fans who remember eating them during high school lunch breaks or late-night drives will finally get that familiar tangy crunch again.
Spotlight: The Double Decker Taco
The Double Decker Taco was ahead of its time. First introduced in 1995, it exploded in popularity in the early 2000s thanks to its dual-layer texture—a crunchy shell hugged by a soft flour tortilla spread with refried beans.
- Cult following: Online fan clubs, Reddit threads, and even dedicated Instagram pages kept its legacy alive.
- Marketing brilliance: It blurred the line between burrito and taco, appealing to both camps.
Its return is a nod to the fans who never let it fade from memory.
Spotlight: The 7-Layer Burrito
For vegetarians, the 7-Layer Burrito was an institution. Packed with beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, sour cream, and cheese, it offered a hearty, meat-free option long before plant-based menus became trendy.
- First introduced: 1993
- Discontinued: 2020 during Taco Bell’s “menu simplification” phase.
- Fan response: Vegetarian communities across forums and blogs repeatedly called for its return.
Its comeback also signals Taco Bell’s effort to re-court vegetarian and flexitarian eaters.
Spotlight: Chili Cheese Burrito
Also known as the “Chilito” in certain regions, the Chili Cheese Burrito is a simple, comforting dish with a loyal following.
- Recipe: Chili wrapped in a tortilla with melted cheddar cheese.
- History: Introduced in the 1990s, but only kept alive in select locations after 2010.
- Grassroots revival: Websites like chilicheeseburrito.org tracked locations where it was still available.
Now, the item is finally getting its nationwide rollout.
Spotlight: Caramel Apple Empanada
Perhaps the most emotional return of all, the Caramel Apple Empanada is a sweet golden pastry filled with gooey caramel and apple chunks.
- Status: A fan-favorite dessert, gone since 2019.
- Nostalgia factor: Reminiscent of fairground pies and after-school treats.
- Loyalty push: Rewards members get early access on September 2—a smart move to grow Taco Bell’s rewards program.
More Than Food: The Y2K Experience
The menu revival is part of a larger cultural play. Taco Bell is weaving in 2000s nostalgia across multiple fronts:
- Exclusive Y2K merchandise (T-shirts, hats, retro Taco Bell logos).
- Crunchkin digital pet, a Tamagotchi-inspired experience tied to purchases.
- Enhanced Taco Bell Rewards, where fans unlock perks and digital collectibles.
It’s not just dinner—it’s an event.
Why Nostalgia Marketing Works
Taco Bell’s Y2K Menu isn’t just a culinary revival—it’s a marketing strategy rooted in psychology.
- Emotional memory: Flavors are deeply tied to experiences. Eating a Cool Ranch Taco in 2025 may trigger memories of 2006.
- Community building: Online petitions and forums gave fans ownership over the menu’s return.
- Affordability: In a time of rising food prices, sub-$3 dishes feel like a “throwback” not just in taste but in cost.
Other brands have leveraged this too:
- McDonald’s brought back the McRib repeatedly.
- Pepsi revived Crystal Pepsi for limited runs.
- Pizza Hut leaned into its retro dine-in logo for brand nostalgia.
Taco Bell is simply perfecting the model.
What This Means for Taco Bell’s Future
The Decades Y2K Menu signals more than a temporary promotion:
- Expect future rotating nostalgia menus.
- Likely expansions into digital collectibles and gamified rewards.
- Possible regional revivals of other lost items like the Enchirito or Volcano Menu.
Taco Bell has found a formula: mix food with memory, and fans will line up.
The Taco Bell Y2K Menu is more than a re-release—it’s a cultural time machine. By reviving dishes tied to the 2000s, Taco Bell is serving food, memories, and community all in one.
When you bite into that first Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco this September, you’re not just eating—you’re revisiting a chapter of your own history.
