Best Taco Bell Menu Items: 'Live Mas' With These Top 5 Things To Order, According To Experts -

Let’s “taco ‘bout” Taco Bell! Like, what are the best Taco Bell items on the menu? We’ll phone in our “friends,” aka the experts, to let us in on getting the best bang for your buck. And remember, since most menu items are customizable, you can swap the beef for beans, remove the lettuce, etc. You can even reinvent your order time and time again by switching up the sauces. This keeps people coming back, and surprisingly, they go for more than the food.

A survey revealed that 36 percent of people reach for fast food when having a bad day. And, gasp, this Tex-Mex comfort food is a mood enhancer! We know this because researchers also asked people about the foods that instantly improve their moods. Tacos top the list with a whopping 33 percent of people saying tacos make a difference in how they feel. We’re starting to see why Taco Bell is so popular.

And while fast food restaurants are an economical choice, a U.S. nationwide study found all Americans — wealthy, middle class and poor — love the convenient options. In fact, 79 percent of adults eat fast food at least once a week. Even the kids are in on it. While almost all parents agreed in a survey that fast food is unhealthy, more than 80 percent feel it’s “okay” in moderation, with 75 percent leaning on it as an option when stressed for time.

With so many people circling the drive-thru for dinner, you may find yourself in line at Taco Bell soon. Maybe even after reading this article! So, we searched 12 experts’ websites to find out the five best Taco Bell items on the menu. Many may enter, but only five can emerge as the champions.

The List: Top 5 Taco Bell Menu Items, According To Experts

1. Crunchwrap Supreme

Mashable thinks this is the crème de la crème of Tex-Mex fast food, saying, “When the smoke clears, the lone champion at the top of the Taco Bell-branded podium has to be the Crunchwrap Supreme. The Crunchwrap Supreme wins because it provides the best of all worlds. A warm flour tortilla around the outside gives way to a crunchy inner shell, which itself gives way to whatever you want to put inside of it. The Crunchwrap Supreme fits neatly in the hands, delivers the finest Taco Bell experience right from the first bite and, for my money, is the ultimate must-eat item on Taco Bell’s menu.”

Complex would even say it’s the crown jewel of the Taco Bell menu: “The Crunchwrap is practically synonymous with Taco Bell. Temporary in 2005, this beauty was made permanent in 2006, and has been fulfilling us ever since. The Crunchwrap was initially marketed as a menu item that is good to be taken on the go, and its flawless execution proves it to be so. We thank you, our portable prince, thank you.”

And unlike tacos, nachos and other Mexican staples, this item is a Taco Bell exclusive.

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“The Crunchwrap is Taco Bell’s invention, it’s not a spin on a famous Mexican dish, it’s not a combination of famous flavors like the Doritos Locos Taco or a hybrid like the Quesarito, it exists as a pure invention out of the mind of Taco Bell’s flavor scientists. It consists of a layer of savory beef and salty nacho cheese sauce, a thin layer of fried corn tortilla, and a fresh medley of veggies on top all wrapped in a giant warm grilled tortilla. Each bite is crunchy, salty, savory, fresh, and beautifully textural, it’s hard to hate this, it’s like a greatest hits collection of Taco Bell flavors,” UPROXX writes.

2. Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme

Doritos or tacos? Why choose? With this option, you can have both!

According to Delish, “To taste this taco is to love it. It’s the epitome of Taco Bell — take something classic like a beef taco and add something crazy like a shell made out of Doritos. It shouldn’t work, but it does. It’s delicious, and you won’t want to stop eating it.”

Restaurant Clicks raves about the unique shell, writing, “We can all agree that Doritos are one of the best chips/snacks/things in this world. And what could be better than a taco shell that tastes like your favorite chip! They have shell flavors that range from nacho cheese, to cool ranch, to fiery Doritos. You can have whatever favorite takes your heart, there’s a taco flavor for everyone here.”

It’s just right for late night, too. ShopFood.com says, “If you’re looking for some late-night munchies, you should go for the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme. It’s a soft taco shell made from Nacho Cheese Doritos filled with seasoned beef, sour cream, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and cheddar cheese.”

3. Cheesy Gordita Crunch

Cheesy with a side of cheese, this is the shining star on Taco Bell’s menu, according to TimeOut: “A study in texture and flavor, the Cheesy Gordita Crunch really does have it all. The warm, pillowy wrap cradles a crunchy hard shell that’s hiding a treasure trove of seasoned beef, cheese, lettuce and spicy ranch. It’s all glued together with even more cheese — for good measure, of course. It’s no wonder this handheld is the shining star of Taco Bell’s entire menu.”

Leave it to the MLB to tell you what is worthy of a strike out, but for them, this menu item is a homerun: “Take a normal taco and add a mystery sauce. (The sauce is probably not a mystery, but I sure as heckfire can’t pinpoint it.) Add melty cheese to the outside of the shell wrapped in a fluffy Gordita shell and you have a warm pillow for your taste buds.”

We’re reading “pillow” a lot. You may want to try this Taco Bell favorite before naptime, just in case.

4. Soft Taco

Get a taco at Taco Bell? Who would have thought?! But seriously, this is a really good choice, according to the experts.

Whimsy and Spice writes, “We are well aware that, despite the chain’s name, the simple taco definitely isn’t the main reason to eat at Taco Bell. However, with the right combination of toppings, sauces, meats, and cheese, the soft taco can be considered the perfect side dish. And, with the sheer range of flavor combinations available, the soft taco definitely gets some points for versatility.”

What’s in a name? Thrillist explores, saying, “It’s not Gordita Bell. Or Burrito Bell. And it’s definitely not Mexican Pizza Bell (wouldn’t totally hate that, though). It’s Taco Bell. The soft taco will be devoured by the time you leave the drive-thru. It’s not even an order, it’s an unspoken certainty. Small enough to snack on, but when multiplied three-fold, worthy of an entire meal. It’s like the girl next door of the Taco Bell menu — like, everything you’ve ever wanted in fast-food Mexican, and it’s been sitting right in front of your eyes this whole time.”

5. Nacho Fries Box

“Nacho” regular menu item … It’s a sampler and a steal at just $5.

Here’s what you get, according to Spoon University: “The nacho fries box is all of the best Taco Bell items for only $5! This bargain is a game-changer, but with an included drink, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, a nacho cheese Doritos Locos Taco, seasoned fries, AND cheese dip, this is the epitome of Taco Bell. Whether you’re a taco-loving newbie or a seasoned vet, this is the most delicious, affordable, and tempting combination of Taco Bell items ever.”

Taco Bell Nacho Fries are one of the best items order off the menu. — Taco Bell Nacho Fries. (Image credit: Taco Bell)

Chef DaDong says, “Nacho Fries Box is the ultimate meal for anyone who wants to fill their stomach … The meal box includes fries and dipping sauce, a Doritos Locos Taco, and a Cheesy Gordita Crunch. Oh, this is not it! The box also includes a medium drink to quench your thirst. All of this for just $5 is an unbelievable deal! In short, this box comes with 4 of the best Taco Bell items.”

Starving? We could go for Taco Bell, too. Tell us what we should order in the comments.

Best Taco Bell Menu Items: ‘Live Mas’ With These Top 5 Things To Order, According To Experts