Connect with us

Foodie News

Taco Bell Turns Back the Clock With Four Fan-Favorite Menu Items

Taco Bell is bringing back four customer favorites with its 2016-inspired Decades Menu: the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada. Here is what to know about prices, availability and special rewards offers.

Published

on

Taco Bell is bringing back four customer favorites with its 2016-inspired Decades Menu: the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada. Here is what to know about prices, availability and special rewards offers.
Taco Bell’s Decades #TBTB menu brings back the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Meximelt®, Beefy Crunch Burrito and Caramel Apple Empanada nationwide on August 20 for a limited time, with Taco Bell Rewards Members getting first bite of the Beefy Crunch Burrito starting today. Image Credit: Taco Bell

Taco Bell is serving up a taste of 2016 with the nationwide return of four nostalgic favorites, including the Naked Chicken Chalupa, Beefy Crunch Burrito, Meximelt and Caramel Apple Empanada.

The limited-time lineup, officially called the Decades #TBTB Menu, arrived at participating Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on August 20. It marks the third installment of the chain’s Decades Menu campaign, which brings discontinued and memorable items back for another run.

Four familiar favorites return

Leading the 2016-inspired menu is the Naked Chicken Chalupa. Instead of a traditional tortilla, the item uses a crispy, seasoned all-white-meat chicken shell filled with cheddar cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes and Avocado Ranch Sauce.

The Naked Chicken Chalupa is priced at a suggested $5.99. It is also included in a $9 Discovery Luxe Box with a Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, Crunchy Taco, chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink.

Also returning is the Beefy Crunch Burrito, a longtime fan favorite filled with seasoned beef, seasoned rice, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce and Flamin’ Hot Fritos. The burrito carries a suggested price of $2.79.

The Meximelt is back as well, combining seasoned beef, pico de gallo and a melted three-cheese blend inside a soft flour tortilla. Its suggested price is $2.99.

For dessert, Taco Bell has revived the Caramel Apple Empanada. The crispy pastry features warm apple pieces and caramel filling and is available for a suggested $2.99.

More than a menu revival

Taco Bell is leaning heavily into mid-2010s nostalgia beyond the food. The company is partnering with Anti Social Social Club, screen-free digital camera company Camp Snap and Divine, a six-second looping video platform inspired by the spirit of Vine.

On August 25, Taco Bell Rewards members will have an opportunity to enter a limited-time Tuesday Drop sweepstakes featuring 500 “2016 Starter Packs.” Each package includes a flannel shirt, cap and Camp Snap point-and-shoot digital camera.

Rewards members can also participate in an in-app scavenger hunt offering exclusive deals over three weeks, with a new offer scheduled each week between August 25 and September 14.

“For decades, Taco Bell has been woven into the lives of our fans, and there’s something special about revisiting the moments and experiences that made 2016 distinctly memorable,” Taco Bell North America Chief Marketing Officer Luis Restrepo said in the company’s announcement.

Advertisement
Get More From A Face Cleanser And Spa-like Massage

Available for a limited time

The four returning items are available at participating U.S. Taco Bell restaurants for a limited time and while supplies last. Prices and participation may vary by location, and delivery orders may cost more.

For longtime customers, the promotion offers another opportunity to revisit some familiar flavors. For younger diners, it is a chance to discover why items such as the Beefy Crunch Burrito and Caramel Apple Empanada developed such loyal followings.

Which returning Taco Bell favorite would you order first? Let us know in the comments, and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for more food, restaurant and consumer news.

Source: Taco Bell Corp. press release, August 18, 2026.

Taco Bell Newsroom: Taco Bell Brings the 2016 Vibes Back to Fans Nationwide With Decades #TBTB Menu

Related links

🍽️ Love discovering great food and drink? Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe to the STM Daily News newsletter for the latest recipes, restaurant news, food trends, and culinary stories delivered straight to your inbox.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

Discover a feast for your senses with our Food & Drink Blog, a tantalizing part of STM Daily News. Get the latest articles, recipes, and foodie news delivered straight to your inbox. Satisfaction guaranteed!

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST RECIPES & FOODIE NEWS, PLUS SOME EXCLUSIVE GOODIES!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Advertisement
Get More From A Face Cleanser And Spa-like Massage
Food and Drink
Continue Reading
Advertisement SodaStream USA, inc
Click to comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted

Recipe of the Week

Boost Morning Brainpower with Loaded Avocado Toast

Published

on

Boost Morning Brainpower with Loaded Avocado Toast

(Feature Impact) Avocado toast has a reputation for popularity among millennials, but its versatility and nutritional benefits make it easy for people of all ages to enjoy. Whether you’re fueling up before work or getting kids ready for school, this Loaded Avocado Toast can help the whole household start the morning right.

The healthy fats and vitamins in avocado have been linked to cognitive benefits, while the addition of cannellini beans boosts fiber and protein to keep you feeling full. Choose whole-grain or sourdough bread to build a balanced breakfast with a nutritious base.

Toppings are easy to mix and match however you want so every person at the breakfast table can enjoy their own unique slice. Whether you stick to the recipe – piling on nutritious hemp hearts, diced tomatoes and eggs – or come up with a different combination like smoked salmon with pickled red onions, you can’t go wrong.

Discover more recipes for breakfast and beyond at Culinary.net.

18126 Loaded Avocado Toast detail embed1

Loaded Avocado Toast

Recipe adapted from What’s Gaby Cooking

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 2

  • 2          pieces thick-cut bread
  • 1          large ripe avocado
  • 1/2       cup canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1          tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 1          tablespoon hemp hearts
  • 1/2       cup diced cherry tomatoes
  • 1          tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2       tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1          tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 2          eggs
  •             hot sauce or red pepper flakes (optional)
  1. Toast bread until golden brown, 2-3 minutes.
  2. Halve avocado, remove pit and scoop flesh into medium bowl. Add cannellini beans and lemon juice then mash ingredients together with fork. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spread mash on toast and sprinkle with hemp hearts.
  3. In small bowl, toss diced tomatoes, olive oil, vinegar and basil. Pile on avocado toast.
  4. Prepare eggs as desired. Add one egg to each slice.
  5. Add hot sauce or red pepper flakes, if desired.
collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures track

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Read more in our Food & Drink section on STM Daily News

Continue Reading

Recipe of the Week

Add a Splash of Summer to Fall Meals

Published

on

Last Updated on September 11, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Add a Splash of Summer to Fall Meals

Add a Splash of Summer to Fall
Meals

(Family Features) This year, when
it’s time to dust off your fall recipe cookbook, mix it up with a splash of
summer veggies in this Zucchini Chicken Bake. Ready in less than an hour, it’s
perfect for those warm fall days that transition into chilly evenings when
sharing a meal with loved ones is what’s truly on the menu. Prepare your
family’s recipe rotation for fall with more ideas available at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

17571 VID Zucchini Chicken Bake Detail image embed

Zucchini Chicken Bake
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy
Servings: 4-6

 

  • 2 medium
    zucchinis
  • 2-3 tomatoes
  • 2 chicken
    breasts
  • 1 tablespoon
    minced onion
  • 2 teaspoons
    Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons
    smoked paprika
  • avocado oil
  • 1-1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup
    shredded Parmesan cheese

 

  1. Heat oven to 375 F.
  2. Cut zucchinis, tomatoes and chicken
    into bite-sized pieces. Place in 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
  3. Sprinkle with minced onion, Italian
    seasoning and paprika then drizzle with avocado oil. Mix well with spoon.
  4. Cover with mozzarella and Parmesan
    cheese. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.

collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures
SOURCE:

Culinary.net


Continue Reading

Food

Add 2 Key Nutrients You Might Be Overlooking with an Easy Avocado Recipe

While everyone is talking about protein these days whether watching their weight or managing type 2 diabetes, fiber and healthy fats are nutrients many people are overlooking. One food that makes it easier to invest in your health, according to nutrition experts: avocados. Try this recipe for Avocado and Blueberry Chia Pudding for your next breakfast or snack.

Published

on

Add 2 Key Nutrients You Might Be Overlooking with an Easy Avocado Recipe

Add 2 Key Nutrients You Might Be Overlooking with an Easy Avocado Recipe

(Feature Impact) While everyone is talking about protein these days whether watching their weight or managing type 2 diabetes, fiber and healthy fats are nutrients many people are overlooking.



The latest reports show most Americans already meet or exceed recommendations for protein while nearly all (about 95%) do not eat enough fiber, and many people consume too much saturated fat versus unsaturated fat, according to the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Prioritizing ways to get more fiber and healthy fats on your plate could be key to managing weight and type 2 diabetes goals this summer.



One food that makes it easier to invest in your health, according to nutrition experts: avocados.



A growing body of research and materials from Avocados – Love One Today, a science-based resource, suggests fresh avocados offer weight management benefits, help with type 2 diabetes management and are good for blood sugar management. Avocados uniquely contain fiber and healthy fats in each nutrient-dense bite, which slows digestion, helping you feel satisfied and fuller longer.

 

To explore evidence-based avocado nutrition information, along with practical tips and easy recipes, visit Avocados – Love One Today, a leading resource for avocado nutrition information. Try this recipe for Avocado and Blueberry Chia Pudding for your next breakfast or snack.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=KpKl-SYvAQQ%3Fsi%3D9hOMgU18m45pn7NC%26controls%3D0

Avocado and Blueberry Chia Pudding

  • 1 1/2 cups plain, unsweetened soy milk (or milk of choice) 
  • 1 ripe, fresh avocado, halved, pitted and peeled 
  • 3/4 cup frozen blueberries 
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla Greek yogurt 
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup 
  • 1/3 cup chia seeds 

To Serve: 

  • 1/3 cup granola 
  • 1/3 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 kiwi, chopped 
  • 1/2 fresh, ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and chopped
  1. In blender, puree soy milk, avocado, blueberries, yogurt and maple syrup until smooth. Pour mixture into storage container or bowl and add chia seeds. Whisk well to combine. Cover with lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight, until thickened.
  2. To serve, divide into bowls and top with granola, fresh blueberries, kiwi and avocado.  

Notes: Use any milk (dairy or non-dairy) that you prefer in pudding. Use fresh blueberries or conventional frozen blueberries. Other topping options include: nuts, seeds, hemp hearts, sliced banana or strawberries, or nut butter. 

collect?v=1&tid=UA 482330 7&cid=1955551e 1975 5e52 0cdb 8516071094cd&sc=start&t=pageview&dl=http%3A%2F%2Ftrack.familyfeatures
track

SOURCE:

Avocados – Love One Today

Looking for more bites, sips, and local dining news? Head over to STM Daily News’ Food & Drink page for more food and beverage stories: https://stmdailynews.com/food-and-drink-3/

Continue Reading

Trending

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x