Taco Bell has long been a favorite for fast food enthusiasts seeking affordable and flavorful Mexican-inspired cuisine. In 2014, the chain expanded its offerings to include breakfast items, catering to early risers and those craving something different to start their day. While some of these morning menu options became instant classics, others had shorter lifespans.
Over the years, Taco Bell has discontinued several breakfast items that left a lasting impression on customers. From unique waffle-inspired creations to savory breakfast burritos, these menu offerings combined traditional morning flavors with Taco Bell’s signature twist. Though no longer available, these discontinued items continue to be remembered fondly by fans of the fast-food chain.
1) Waffle Taco
The Waffle Taco made its debut on Taco Bell’s breakfast menu in 2014. This innovative creation combined sweet and savory flavors in a unique format.
The item featured a waffle folded into a taco shape, filled with scrambled eggs and a choice of bacon or sausage. A side of syrup accompanied the dish for those who wanted extra sweetness.
Despite its creative concept, the Waffle Taco had a short lifespan. Taco Bell discontinued it in 2015, just a year after its introduction.
The Waffle Taco was part of Taco Bell’s strategy to enter the competitive breakfast market. It aimed to offer a distinct alternative to traditional breakfast sandwiches.
Many customers appreciated the novelty of the Waffle Taco. Its unconventional approach to breakfast garnered attention and curiosity from food enthusiasts.
While no longer available, the Waffle Taco remains a memorable part of Taco Bell’s breakfast experiment. Its brief existence left an impression on those who had the chance to try this unusual morning meal option.
2) Mini Skillet Bowl
Taco Bell’s Mini Skillet Bowl was a compact breakfast delight that gained popularity among morning diners. This dish featured a blend of seasoned breakfast potatoes, fluffy scrambled eggs, and a three-cheese mixture.
The Mini Skillet Bowl also included pico de gallo, adding a fresh and zesty element to the savory combination. The ingredients were carefully layered in a small bowl, creating a convenient and satisfying breakfast option.
Introduced as part of Taco Bell’s breakfast menu expansion, the Mini Skillet Bowl offered a unique twist on traditional morning fare. Its portable nature made it an ideal choice for customers on the go.
Despite its appeal, Taco Bell discontinued the Mini Skillet Bowl in July 2020. The decision came as part of a menu simplification process, disappointing many fans who had grown fond of this breakfast item.
The Mini Skillet Bowl’s removal left a void in Taco Bell’s breakfast lineup. Its combination of flavors and textures had set it apart from other fast-food breakfast offerings, making it a memorable menu item for those who had the chance to enjoy it.
3) Breakfast Soft Taco
The Breakfast Soft Taco was a popular morning menu item at Taco Bell. It featured a warm flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, cheese, and a choice of bacon or sausage.
This handheld breakfast option provided a satisfying start to the day for many Taco Bell fans. The combination of fluffy eggs, melted cheese, and savory meat offered a familiar yet uniquely Taco Bell twist on breakfast.
The Breakfast Soft Taco was part of Taco Bell’s initial foray into the breakfast market. It aimed to compete with other fast food chains by offering Mexican-inspired morning meals.
Despite its popularity, the Breakfast Soft Taco was eventually discontinued as Taco Bell refined its breakfast menu. Some customers still fondly remember this simple yet tasty breakfast option.
While no longer available, the Breakfast Soft Taco paved the way for other breakfast items at Taco Bell. Its legacy can be seen in current breakfast offerings that continue to blend traditional morning flavors with Taco Bell’s signature style.
4) Biscuit Taco
Taco Bell’s Biscuit Taco was an innovative breakfast item that combined the comfort of a biscuit with the convenience of a taco. Introduced in 2015, it featured a warm, flaky biscuit shaped into a taco shell.
The Biscuit Taco offered customers a variety of filling options. Patrons could choose between crispy chicken or sausage, paired with eggs and cheese. Some versions even included jalapeño honey as a sauce.
This unique breakfast creation aimed to compete with other fast-food breakfast offerings. It was part of Taco Bell’s strategy to expand its morning menu and attract early-day customers.
Despite its creative concept, the Biscuit Taco’s time on the menu was short-lived. By 2016, Taco Bell had quietly removed it from their breakfast lineup. The exact reasons for its discontinuation remain unclear.
Fans of the Biscuit Taco appreciated its blend of traditional breakfast flavors with Taco Bell’s signature style. Its departure left a void in the chain’s morning menu for those seeking a unique breakfast option.
5) AM Crunchwrap
The AM Crunchwrap was a beloved breakfast item at Taco Bell that combined classic morning flavors in a convenient handheld package. It featured a warm flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and a choice of bacon or sausage.
A crispy hash brown patty added a satisfying crunch to each bite. The ingredients were wrapped in Taco Bell’s signature hexagonal fold, creating a portable meal perfect for on-the-go breakfast enthusiasts.
Introduced as part of Taco Bell’s breakfast menu expansion, the AM Crunchwrap quickly gained popularity among fans of the chain. Its unique format set it apart from traditional breakfast sandwiches offered by other fast food restaurants.
Unfortunately, recent menu changes have led to the discontinuation of breakfast items at some Taco Bell locations. This means the AM Crunchwrap may no longer be available at certain restaurants, disappointing many loyal customers.
For those who can still find it, the AM Crunchwrap remains a filling breakfast option that combines multiple textures and flavors in one convenient package. Its absence from some menus has left a noticeable gap in Taco Bell’s morning offerings.
6) Cheesy Burrito
The Cheesy Burrito was a beloved breakfast item at Taco Bell that graced the menu for a brief period. This morning delight combined scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, and a generous helping of melted cheese.
Wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, the Cheesy Burrito provided a satisfying start to the day. Its simple yet flavorful ingredients appealed to customers looking for a quick and tasty breakfast option.
The portability of the Cheesy Burrito made it a convenient choice for those on the go. Taco Bell fans could easily enjoy this handheld meal during their morning commute or as a grab-and-go option.
Despite its popularity, the Cheesy Burrito was eventually discontinued. Many Taco Bell enthusiasts still reminisce about this cheese-filled breakfast treat and wish for its return to the menu.
The absence of the Cheesy Burrito has left a void in Taco Bell’s breakfast offerings. Its combination of classic breakfast ingredients in a familiar burrito format continues to be missed by loyal customers.
7) Grilled Breakfast Sandwich
Taco Bell’s Grilled Breakfast Sandwich was a hearty morning option that gained a loyal following during its time on the menu. This satisfying sandwich featured a toasted flatbread filled with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, and a choice of bacon or sausage.
The flatbread was grilled to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft interior. The combination of fluffy eggs, gooey cheese, and savory meat created a balanced flavor profile that appealed to many breakfast enthusiasts.
Introduced as part of Taco Bell’s foray into the breakfast market, the Grilled Breakfast Sandwich offered a familiar yet unique option for those seeking a quick morning meal. Its portable nature made it convenient for customers on the go.
Despite its popularity, Taco Bell eventually discontinued the Grilled Breakfast Sandwich. Fans of this menu item have expressed their disappointment at its removal, with some calling for its return to the breakfast lineup.
The Grilled Breakfast Sandwich represented Taco Bell’s ability to adapt traditional breakfast fare to fit their distinct style. Its absence has left a noticeable gap in the chain’s morning offerings.
History of Taco Bell Breakfast
Taco Bell’s breakfast menu has evolved significantly since its inception. The fast-food chain’s morning offerings have seen various iterations, with items coming and going over the years.
Origins of the Breakfast Menu
Taco Bell first introduced breakfast in 2012, testing the waters with a limited menu in about 750 locations. The initial offerings included items like the A.M. Crunchwrap, Waffle Taco, and Cinnabon Delights. These unique breakfast options aimed to set Taco Bell apart from competitors.
The nationwide rollout of Taco Bell breakfast occurred in March 2014. This expansion brought morning meals to over 5,500 restaurants across the United States. The menu featured a mix of traditional breakfast ingredients with a distinctly Taco Bell twist.
Changes Over the Years
Taco Bell’s breakfast menu has undergone several changes since its launch. The chain introduced new items like the Breakfast Quesalupa and the Grande Scrambler. Some original offerings, such as the Waffle Taco, were discontinued due to poor reception and low sales.
In 2020, Taco Bell temporarily suspended its breakfast menu at many locations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision aimed to simplify operations during uncertain times. The chain gradually reintroduced breakfast items as conditions improved.
Taco Bell has continued to innovate its morning menu. Recent additions include the Toasted Breakfast Burrito and the Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito. These changes reflect the chain’s efforts to adapt to customer preferences and maintain relevance in the competitive fast-food breakfast market.
Impact of Discontinued Items on Customers
The removal of beloved Taco Bell breakfast items has sparked strong reactions from customers. Many express disappointment and frustration when their favorite morning options disappear from the menu.
Customer Sentiment
Loyal Taco Bell fans often develop emotional attachments to specific breakfast items. When these are discontinued, customers may feel a sense of loss. Some report no longer visiting Taco Bell for breakfast after their go-to choices vanish.
Petitions and online campaigns have emerged, with customers urging Taco Bell to bring back discontinued favorites. The Waffle Taco, for instance, gained a cult following during its brief menu run. Its removal left many breakfast enthusiasts unsatisfied with remaining options.
Social Media Impact
Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms become hotbeds of activity when Taco Bell axes popular breakfast items. Customers take to social media to voice their opinions, often using humor and memes to express their disappointment.
Hashtags like #BringBackTheWaffleTaco trend periodically, demonstrating the lasting impact of discontinued items. Taco Bell’s social media team frequently engages with these posts, acknowledging customer feedback.
This online buzz can create both challenges and opportunities for Taco Bell’s marketing efforts. While negative sentiment may arise, the nostalgia and desire for discontinued items can also generate excitement when limited-time revivals occur.
Future of Taco Bell Breakfast
Taco Bell’s breakfast menu faces an uncertain future. Recent reports indicate the chain is removing breakfast options from some locations. This move comes as part of a “breakfast reset moment” for the company.
Despite scaling back, Taco Bell maintains it remains committed to breakfast overall. The chain plans to ramp up its coffee program in response to changing customer preferences.
Taco Bell continues testing new breakfast items in company-owned stores. This suggests potential menu innovations may still be on the horizon.
The performance of breakfast offerings has reportedly improved in recent years. This could influence Taco Bell’s long-term strategy for morning meals.
Key factors likely to shape Taco Bell’s breakfast future:
- Customer demand
- Operational efficiency
- Profitability of breakfast items
- Competition from other fast food chains
Taco Bell may focus on streamlining its breakfast menu. This could mean offering fewer, but more popular items to boost sales and simplify operations.
As consumer tastes evolve, Taco Bell might introduce healthier or plant-based breakfast options. This could help attract health-conscious customers seeking quick morning meals.