Dust off your flip phone and cue up your favorite 2000s playlist, because Taco Bell is bringing back a blast from the past. As part of its all-new Decades Y2K Menu, the fast-food chain is resurrecting five of its most hyped fan favorites from the early 2000s, each making a triumphant comeback for $3 or less. From crave-worthy bites you thought were gone for good to sweet treats that defined late-night runs, these throwback legends are ready to make you nostalgic (and hungry) all over again.
Fan-favorite Y2K classics return to Taco Bell
Taco Bell’s Decades Y2K Menu isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s also about honoring the fan devotion that kept these dishes alive long after they left the menu. From petitions and online trackers to secret menu hacks, Taco Bell loyalists never stopped pushing for their return. Now, five legendary items are officially back for a limited time, giving fans a chance to relive the flavors that defined the early 2000s:
Cool Ranch® Doritos® Locos Tacos
Considered the legendary follow-up to the Nacho Cheese Doritos® Locos Tacos, this crave-worthy variation became the subject of endless fan petitions demanding its comeback. Instead of the traditional shell, it features a bold, tangy Cool Ranch® Doritos® crunch, packed with seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese—all for $2.49.
Double Decker Taco
Debuting in 1995 and making a triumphant reappearance in 2006, the Double Decker Taco quickly earned a devoted following. Fans never let it fade, keeping the item alive through clever menu hacks and in-app votes. It layers a soft tortilla spread with beans around a crispy taco shell, stuffed with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheddar cheese—priced at $2.49.
7-Layer Burrito
Long hailed as a vegetarian staple and a blueprint for Taco Bell’s customization culture, the 7-Layer Burrito became the gold standard of stacked flavor. Inside its flour tortilla you’ll find a medley of refried beans, seasoned rice, reduced-fat sour cream, guacamole, fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend—all for $2.49.
Chili Cheese Burrito
The Chili Cheese Burrito is the definition of a cult classic. So loved that it inspired die-hard fans to launch a “Chili Cheese Burrito Tracker,” this wrap has always been one of the chain’s most fiercely pursued items. Filled with hearty chili and melty cheddar, all bundled in a warm flour tortilla, it finally returns nationwide for $2.99.
Caramel Apple Empanada
First appearing in the early 2000s, the Caramel Apple Empanada developed a loyal fanbase that spent years calling for its revival. With its crispy, golden shell encasing tender apple bites and creamy caramel filling, this dessert favorite has officially resurfaced—yours again for $2.99.
The Decades Y2K Menu makes its nationwide U.S. debut on September 9, but Taco Bell Rewards Members won’t have to wait that long. From September 2 to 8, they’ll enjoy exclusive in-app access to the returning Caramel Apple Empanada before it joins menus across the country.
Taco Bell’s Y2K celebration serves up more than food
The Decades Y2K celebration stretches well beyond the menu, transforming into a full-on style revival. Taco Bell is tapping into the bold fashion and flashy spirit of the early 2000s with a special collaboration alongside iconic throwback brand Ed Hardy. As part of this partnership, Rewards Members can score limited-edition Y2K-inspired merch through weekly Tuesday Drops running from September 2 through September 16.
The first drop arrives on September 2, when just 500 blinged-out Ed Hardy hats will be released at 2 PM PT—an instant collector’s piece designed for anyone looking to embrace peak Y2K flair. A week later, on September 9, fans will need to act fast as 500 retro-style digital watches go live at 2 PM PT, offering the perfect nostalgic accessory before time runs out. Finally, on September 16, the series wraps up with another ultra-limited release: 500 vintage-inspired Decades Y2K T-shirts, available at 2 PM PT.
Source: Food & Wine