Taco Bell heats up fall with new Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito

WASHINGTON — Taco Bell is spicing things up this fall with the launch of the new Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito, a limited edition twist on a fan-favorite menu item.

The new burrito offers a special twist on the popular Beefy Crunch Burrito, which initially launched in 2010 and has since been discontinued aside from a few limited-time runs. 

This time, Taco Bell is combining its ground beef, melty grilled cheese, chipotle sauce, sour cream and three-cheese blend and Fritos Flamin’ Hot Chips that made the Beefy Crunch Burrito special, with a brand-new Flamin’ Hot Rice made with a blend of cheddar cheese powder, red pepper, garlic, paprika and lime.

To top things off, the burrito is wrapped in a grilled cheese-coated tortilla.

“We know how much love there is for the signature spice of Flamin’ Hot, and our fans are always looking for cheesier, crunchier menu items from us,” Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s Global Chief Food Innovation Officer said.

“The Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito brings all these elements together — taking the heat, the crispy Fritos crunch, and cheesy goodness on the inside and out of our classic burrito.” 

Fans can try it à la carte for $5.49 or as part of the $9 Discovery Luxe Cravings Box for a limited time only at participating locations.

The new burrito is the latest change to the Taco Bell menu in recent months. In September, the company brought back a collection of classic items from the early 2000s.

Those returning menu items include the cool ranch Doritos locos tacos, the double decker taco, the 7-layer burrito and the chili cheese burrito. 

Taco Bell is banking on nostalgia to bring customers in to restaurants at a time when fast food sales are dropping. Customers, fearful of the impacts Trump’s economic policies could have on the market, aren’t spending as much.

Other chains, such as McDonald’s, are offering lower prices as a way to entice customers.