With the success of the Taco Bell Caramel Apple Empanada, the chain has apparently decided to find out if lightning can strike twice with the rollout of Chocolate Fudge & Caramel Empanadas. An order comes with one of each variety — two different empanadas for one price. Two empanadas enter and one empanada leaves. Okay, there’s no Mad Max competition. But if it were, I know which one should walk away.
After opening each with a pair of kitchen shears, I noticed the caramel filling was shy, while the chocolate filling looked ready to jump out of its shell. That’s also the case with their flavors — the caramel was muted and somewhat swallowed by its shell, while the chocolate filling stood out confudgently, I mean, confidently. If the caramel filling had been more generous, I imagine the flavor would’ve been better. So if you happen to find yourself having to share one with another person, give them the caramel one and tell them I said it’s the better one. They’ll never know because they probably have no idea who I am.
The two shells behave quite differently as well. The caramel one has a shell that’s slightly tough, while the chocolate one crumbles under the pressure of a bite, making it messier but easier to eat. And when the person you generously surrendered the caramel one to notices that, you can shrug and say, “See, the shell is so crumbly. You definitely got the better one.”
Because you’re stuck with one of each, the caramel empanada drags down the overall experience. It’s pretty much mid, and while the chocolate fudge is a step up, it’s not Choco Taco mind-blowing. Both could probably be improved with a scoop of ice cream — Taco Bell Chocolate Fudge & Caramel Empanadas a la Mode has a nice ring to it — but as they come, there’s no need to run to the border for these or Live Dás, I mean, EmpanaDás.
Purchased Price: $3.99
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (for both) 320 calories, 15 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 290 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 16 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.
*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.
Even though the review made me laugh, I will not be trying these.
I do admire your bravery.
The Ice Cream idea is spot on.
Thank you.
Too bad the combo isn’t Caramel Apple and Chocolate Fudge. I may still try these as the price is pretty good for two. I’ll keep some ice cream handy.
100% agree.
The only difference is that I could see myself ordering these again (with a friend, that I could unload the caramel one onto).
From a Hawai’i Kama’Amina – please change your subnote. To use two negatives to describe Hawai’i perpetuates stereotypes and is disrespectful. Thank you.
I don’t think it’s negative, but you know what, I think it’s time to change “rock” to “island.” I don’t know what your second negative issue is. I hope it’s not the price thing because it’s a fact. Now your turn. Fix your spelling errors and redundancy.
Thank you for understanding the issue that many are working to improve for Hawai’i! Sorry about the spelling error caused by auto-correct. Not sure what the redundancy was but the message was sent without mean or sarcastic intent.
I thought my caramel one might have had a hole in it because of the lack of filling, but it seems that wasn’t the case. The shell was noticeably thicker, which added to its downfall.
The chocolate one is good, but it could have been a little sweeter
Love Taco Bell, however these “empanadas” are disgraceful. 2 little hard fried things for $3.00! Insulting. Besides that, they are terrible. The little brown cake -like one is unedible. This really is a low point for TB. It would do you well to discontinue those. Well, I’m out $3, the garbage disposal ate them, and I still want something sweet. Try again, and fire the people who OK’d those duds.
Disgusting. Unedible, but my garbage disposal gobbled them down. Also, way to expensive. Not good for Taco Bell business.