Volcano Taco from Taco Bell
Recently, I walked into my local Taco Bell expecting to purchase one of their Cheesy Melts, but I was surprised to find another item on the menu I hadn’t tried. They had a sign up for their new ‘volcano taco’ which featured a picture of a red crunchy shelled taco. I asked the cashier for more info and she said it has a special ‘lava’ cheese sauce. Since the store had just opened it’s doors for the beginning of a new day, my taco was about as fresh as taco bell gets. But on my next visit to a different TB location, things were not nearly as fresh. Photos below are from that second taco trip.
I usually go with the soft tacos at TB, so I was a bit nervous about getting this, but I was definitely surprised. It’s really the cheese sauce that makes the taco. It’s quite spicy. Perhaps I’m just so used to it, but their “Fire Sauce” really shouldn’t be called “Fire”. It doesn’t have any real kick to it. The cheese sauce in the volcano taco however actually has some kick, making it possibly the spiciest sauce on their menu. But it’s not so strong that it overwhelms you. The spices that are present may seem odd for some. It reminded me of the juiced up ranch dressing I’ve bought at the grocery store with the flavors and spices come in a pouch. I love those, but they can have a grainy un-smooth feel. The same for TB’s lava cheese sauce, to a lessor degree.
The red taco shell tasted like a regular shell, though it made me wonder if they’ll have a red ’soft’ shell. I’ve never mastered eating a crunchy taco. They always fall apart and these were no different. I can’t fault TB, that’s all me. The rest of the ingredients are standard Taco Bell: ground beef, shredded cheddar cheese, and lettuce. With the first round of tacos everything was fresh and tasted very good. On the second round things were noticeably less fresh and flavorful. Not bad, but definitely a step down.
Trying the Volcano Tacos at 2 locations, I loved the first one, where the server put on lots of cheese, and things were fresh. The second time it tasted as though everything had been sitting around for awhile. The ‘crunchy’ shell was soft, it wasn’t very warm, and the spiciness wasn’t as powerful (still had a small kick, but not as much). Sadly, it also had less cheese. It would seem the volcano taco will be hit or miss depending on the TB you visit and the time you go. I would have given this a solid ‘A’ after my first experience, but finding inconsistency with the second drops a letter grade to ‘B’.
At just 89 cents, I recommend you go out and buy one. It’s definitely worth spending less than a buck to check it out, and your TB may have the consistency to make it seem like a bargain. They also feature this new taco in the ‘Big Bell Box Meal’.
Price: $.89 / Website: TacoBell.com
Fast Food Critic Score: B
Click here for rating system details.
Nutrition Facts - Volcano Taco from Taco Bell.
Calories - 240
Calories from Fat - 150
Total Fat - 17 grams
Carbs - 14 grams
Saturated Fat - 5 grams
Trans Fat - 0 grams
Cholesterol - 35 milligrams
Sodium - 490 milligrams
Protein - 8 grams
So, the only difference is spicy cheese sauce and a different color (same taste) taco shell?
Interesting… but not interesting enough for me to brave the hygenically challenged local taco bell….
I like Taco Bell tacos so I’m going to try these tonight. I had not even heard about them or seen any advertisements. Thanks for the info and good review John.
I had the Volcano Taco last night since I can’t resist any new Taco-Bell-item-of-the-month. I agree with your assessment and that freshness is both the key to good food and the risk you take with fast food.
The key to eating a hard-shell taco is to get a good grip, and to not stop until it’s gone!
Also, this taco is very similar to TB’s “big taste taco” which is on their new value menu and is actually more like a soft-shell version of this with a less-spicy sauce and, for whatever reason, some crunchy tortilla ribbons I guess to make you think you’re eating a hard taco.
That red shell is definitely eye catching. I was wondering what the deal with it was. Thanks for the review!
Wow, can’t wait to check it out! I’ll pop in in a few weeks to give the stores time to serve it. (I was a bit too early for the Popeye’s spicy chicken wrap. They had the picture up but did not have it as an orderable menu item until 2-3 weeks after the article posted here. )
Taco Bell tacos have “that flavor” that no other tacos have — not commenting on good, bad, or its authenticity. It just *is*.
I have seen these Volcano Taco posters for weeks but until now never even considered eating one.
Why? The cheese sauce.
Cheese sauce has got to be the lowest form of cheese with a horrendous amount of sat fat.
When I order a Crunch Wrap Supreme, I always sub the cheese sauce with shredded cheese. That’s often not easily explained to the drive-thru order taker!
After reading this review, I’m going to give it a try for one reason: John says it’s the spiciest sauce available from Taco Bell. That may make it all worthwhile.
Hopefully next time TB creates a spicy cheese item, they will use Habenero-Jack cheese. It may be too expensive to use on a value menu item, but I wouldn’t wait for the review to order it!
Not .89 in upstate New York
drpep — aww, that sucks.
How much were they?
I think $1.09, same as regular Crispy Taco.
Must be the nearby Taco Bell is not using the Value Menu, the one farther in town has Crispy and Volcano Tacos for .89
the red shell got my attention too, but no taste difference.
I really hope that if you do try it, they give you enough sauce! if they give you enough, you’ll get the heat.
Thanks for the review. I was thinking about what to have for dinner, stumbled upon your review and I’m sold. I need something spicy for dinner tonight. I think I’ll have one of their jalapeno chicken wraps to with the volcano taco. No drink for me, I’m a tough guy.
The Volcano Taco is GOOD!!, TB is FTMFW!!
Simply put, I LOVE VOLCANO TACOS!
I work at a Mexican restaurant that has been around since the 1940s. we have always had red tacos but ours arent hot and they are considered our soft tacos even though they arent tortilla soft.