Originally known as the "Chilito," Taco Bell's Chili Cheese Burrito is a cult favorite among
fans. So why did it disappear from the menu, and how can you still satisfy that craving today?
Taco Bell, like many other fast food joints, features a secret
menu with several food items that are not publicly displayed or readily available
at its restaurants. Among these items is the legendary Chili Cheese Burrito — a delicious
and somewhat mysterious creation that was once part of the standard menu in the 1990s.
The Chili Cheese Burrito, originally known as the "Chilito," was one of the
simplest Taco Bell products. As evident from the name, the burrito combines beef,
cheddar cheese, and a spicy chili sauce, all neatly wrapped inside a flour tortilla.
Seemingly simple, it was a big hit when it first appeared on the menu,
and it found a fan base in the ever-changing world of fast food. As reported by Thrillist, Taco
Bell's chili cheese was modeled on standard Texan fare –- chili tucked inside a tortilla. However,
Taco Bell should be praised for popularizing the combination, and for adding shredded cheese.
Despite its popularity, the Chili Cheese Burrito was removed from
Taco Bell's menus in the mid-1990s. Or so it was believed. The truth is that
the Chili Cheese Burrito was never fully discontinued from Taco Bell. Officially,
it was removed from the menus, but according to a report from Thrillist,
it was still available at locations in Ohio, Minnesota's Twin Cities, and St. Louis.
Since it was discontinued at most Taco Bell restaurants, the Chili Cheese Burrito
earned an almost mythical status. This limited availability caused year-long pleas and petitions
to bring back the popular item, which eventually influenced Taco Bell to return it to the menu.
The biggest fans worked long and hard to find all
the locations that now serve Chili Cheese Burritos. The comprehensive
list is a joint effort based on the online info available at Taco Bell ordering sites.
If you are not fortunate enough to have the Chili Cheese Burrito on the published menu
at your local Taco Bell, there is a way you can ask and hopefully receive your
order. #HackTheMenu suggests asking for chili and shredded cheese to be wrapped
inside a soft tortilla. Hopefully, the Taco Bell staff will cater to your needs,
and you might realize the appeal of this elusive fast food item.
"Lord knows I wouldn't mind a burrito."
Although the Chili Cheese Burrito is known as a cult Taco Bell item,
its true origin is associated with Zantigo -– a fast-food chain specializing in Mexican
fare. According to The Growler Magazine, Zantigo, most likely first known as Zapata,
was founded in 1969. As the legend goes, the first restaurants opened in the Midwest
and featured outstanding service, fair prices, and high-quality ingredients.
In 1986, the Courier-Journal reported that Zantigo became a part of Taco Bell's operations.
As Taco Bell was a stronger, national brand, it soon completely took over all of Zantigo's
locations. Despite the brand change, Taco Bell did keep some of the original items on the menu,
including the Chili Cheese Burrito, which was still known under its original name –- the
Chilito. According to several personal stories shared on WCPO, the Chilito was one of the most
beloved items at Zantigo, so it was a reasonable move to include it on the Taco Bell menu.
This may come as a complete surprise, but according to Business Insider, Taco Bell is one
of the healthiest fast-food options. Though there are still some controversial items on the menu,
at least from a health perspective, the company has been working on improving
its image by replacing some questionable ingredients with healthier alternatives.
The Chili Cheese Burrito has 380 calories,
but you can lower that number by removing the cheese. The chili is made with beef,
and while Taco Bell was sued for not meeting the required federal standards for this meat,
the lawsuit was eventually withdrawn, and Taco Bell disclosed its seasoned beef is 88% beef.
Along with the chili, the other base ingredient is cheddar cheese,
which consists of two elements: cheddar and an anti-caking agent. Based on the
nutritional information, the Chili Cheese Burrito is not a bad option,
even for health-conscious Taco Bell lovers. Just make sure you stick to a single portion.
If the beloved Chili Cheese Burrito is not even a part of the secret menu at
your local Taco Bell, there might be another establishment you can
visit to satisfy that craving — depending on where you live.
Zantigo still serves the famous Chilito, and yes, it's available under its original name.
Unsurprisingly, when the brand was reintroduced under the new management, the Chilitos were the
main attraction on the menu. At Zantigo, you can currently choose between three Chilito options:
hot, mild, or chorizo-based. However, this is a privilege only reserved for Minnesota residents,
as there are currently just four Zantigo restaurants left — all located in that state.
If all else fails and the Chili Cheese Burrito remains nothing more than a nostalgic memory,
simply roll up your sleeves and make one yourself.
When it comes to the original, TikTok can give you a glimpse of how the Chili Cheese Burrito
is assembled at different Taco Bell restaurants. One video shows it being made with chili, nacho
cheese, the mysterious red sauce, and a hefty amount of cheddar. However, another user shared a
video that includes only chili and cheddar cheese, steamed and then rolled into a compact burrito,
which is more in line with the ingredients that make a standard Chili Cheese Burrito.
If you embark on the home cooking adventure,
you might want to explore some of the best chili recipes. Apart from making
an excellent burrito base, you may just discover your new go-to chili recipe.
Apart from the Chili Cheese Burrito, Taco Bell offers other off-the-menu
items to reward their loyal customers. These dishes are not available at all locations,
and some are more common than others.
The most recent hype surrounded the Mexican Pizza. In May 2022, Taco Bell brought the
bean and beef-topped tortilla back to its standard menu. The reaction was overwhelming,
and demand was so high that many Taco Bell restaurants soon ran out of Mexican Pizzas.
"All of us, across the internet, brought back our beloved Mexican Pizza."
Based on the amount of love Taco Bell fans share for Chili Cheese Burritos,
the same thing could happen if they were to be brought back on a national scale.