REVIEW: Taco Bell Sweet Chipotle BBQ Crispy Chicken Taco

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I know sauces don’t have feelings, but if they did, Taco Bell’s new Sweet Chipotle BBQ Sauce must be feeling insecure because in the new taco and burrito that feature it, it has to share the tight Tex-Mex space with another sauce — Spicy Ranch. I can imagine what this dark colored topping might be thinking, if it could think.

“Am I not good enough by myself?”

“What do I have to do for Taco Bell to believe in me?”

“Should I request a trade and go to another fast food chain?”

Well, all those thoughts are moot because with the Taco Bell Sweet Chipotle BBQ Crispy Chicken Taco, that white creamy topping added nothing in terms of flavor or heat to my order, so I’m not sure why Taco Bell included it in the first place. Along with two sauces, it features the same ingredients as previous Crispy Chicken Tacos: a crispy chicken strip, purple cabbage, lettuce, pico de gallo, and shredded cheese all wrapped in a flour tortilla.

Now, let’s discuss the dark-colored Sweet Chipotle BBQ Sauce, which is good, but I don’t taste anything unique or special. It has the familiar smoky and sweet flavors I’ve tasted with other fast food barbecue sauces. It lacks a Taco Bell-esque flair that evokes the fast food chain. There’s a slight kick, but it’s so mild that I don’t want to say it’s a kick. It’s more like sticking your foot out during the hokie pokie.

While the barbecue sauce tasted familiar, I enjoyed the flavors it added to the chicken and the taco. But it also gives everything a standard chicken nuggets/strips dipped into BBQ sauce vibe. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up being a sauce for the chain’s dippable chicken offerings. Despite the two sauces within the tortilla, my chicken strip had a decent crunchiness, which was enhanced slightly by the colorful purple cabbage. The tomatoes and onions in the pico de gallo added bursts of flavor that complement the condiment. However, the Taco Bell-obligatory smattering of cheese didn’t make a difference.

The $2.79 advertised price for Taco Bell’s Sweet Chipotle BBQ Crispy Chicken Taco is twenty cents less than McDonald’s Snack Wrap, but it appears to be more than twenty cents less substantial than the Snack Wrap. Even with all the colorful toppings and sauces, it still seems a tad pricey when compared to McDonald’s wrapped chicken strip. However, while I do wish it were a little cheaper, this barbecue sauced taco is still something I’d order again.

Purchased Price: $3.99*
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 270 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 690 milligrams of sodium, 29 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of fiber, 4 grams of sugar (including 2 grams of added sugar), and 11 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. The advertised price is $2.79.

SPOTTED: 7/23/2025

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 3 Comments

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Heluva Good Mike’s Hot Honey Dip
(Spotted by Tommy at Market Basket.)
Icelandic Provisions Salted Caramel & Banana Skyr
(Spotted by Tommy at Market Basket.)
Member’s Mark Dark Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Chunks
(Spotted by Robbie at Sam’s Club.)
Gelato Boy Chocolate Old World Italian Ice Cream
Gelato Boy Pistachio Old World Italian Ice Cream
Gelato Boy Vanilla Old World Recipe Italian Ice Cream
(Spotted by Sarah R at Sprouts.)
Smartsweets Minis Mini Sweet Fish
(Spotted by Sarah R at Sprouts.)
Once Upon A Farm Organic Applesauce Apple Cinnamon
(Spotted by Sarah R at Whole Foods.)
Rummo Maxima 21 Elbows No 128
(Spotted by Sarah R at Sprouts.)
Tastykake Smurfs Boston Creme Honey Bun
Tastykake Smurfs Glazed Honey Bun
Tastykake Smurfs Iced Honey Bun
(Spotted by Robbie at Walmart Neighborhood Market.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

SPOTTED: Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croissants

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 3 Comments

Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croissants Philly Style Cheesesteak.

Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croisasants Buffalo Style Chicken.

Hillshire Farm Stuffed Croissants Ham & Cheese.

Hot Hillshire Farm Pockets? (Spotted by Sage G at Walmart.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

BACK ON SHELVES: Limited Edition Retro Diet Cherry Coke

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 6 Comments

Limited Edition Retro Diet Cherry Coke Cans.

Limited Edition Retro Diet Cherry Coke Bottles.

It’s back! Unfortunately, for a limited time. Also, unfortunately, it’s only available at Kroger and Kroger-owned stores. (Spotted by Chris at Fred Meyer.)

If you’re out shopping and see new products, snap a picture of them, and send them in via an email ([email protected]) with where you found them and “Spotted” in the subject line. Also, if you want to send in photos and are wondering if we’ve already covered something or if they’re new, don’t worry about it. Let us worry about it.

REVIEW: Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Nuggets

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Many of us here at The Impulsive Buy hold strong candy convictions in our hearts (including candy heart convictions, but let’s wait until Valentine’s Day to debate those). Here is a Whitman’s sampler of mine:

  • Hershey’s chocolate is at its absolute best in nugget form.
  • Chocolate and warm spices pair beautifully.
  • July is not too early for pumpkin spice season. After a season of sticky humidity, I’m ready to pre-game fall.

Given the above statements, it’s not a surprise that I really liked Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Nuggets, Hershey’s limited time ode to autumn’s favorite beverage. Described as “extra creamy milk chocolate with pumpkin spice latte flavored crème,” these nuggets are soft, creamy, and rich inside and out.

If you’ve ever tried the Hershey’s Nuggets Truffles line (and if you haven’t, you absolutely should—add that recommendation to my list of convictions above), know that the Pumpkin Spice Latte Nuggets are a version of that product. Inside the creamy milk chocolate shell is flavored creme, which is thick, supple, and ganache-like. The nuggets melt easily in your mouth, in the summer sun, or if dropped into a steaming hot PSL. As far as luxuriousness goes, they are a worthy opponent to brands like Lindt or Ghirardelli.

The pumpkin spice creme filling is flavored delicately but very well: there is enough warm cinnamon spice to complement the chocolate without overwhelming it or tasting too artificial. The flavor certainly reads as pumpkin spice, but the latte part is missing. I could not taste any coffee flavor whatsoever, even after savoring three nuggets. (Man, these reviews are hard work.) Hershey’s Nuggets have dabbled in coffee flavors before, namely the fantastic Café Espresso and Caramel Macchiato varieties that appeared last holiday season in stocking-stuffer-size assortments and are now available exclusively online. I expected a spiced twist on one of those products, but Hershey’s swapped the coffee for hot chocolate instead.

Although Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Nuggets has one unnecessary word in its product name, the candy itself is a decadent seasonal delight. The nuggets’ smooth chocolate, luxurious filling, and warm spices are more than enough to forgive the misnomer. Just as I yearn for a chilly autumn breeze in the dog days of summer, I hope that Hershey’s will grant us more seasonal flavors.

Purchased Price: $6.79
Purchased at: CVS
Size: 8 oz (227 g) bag
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 3 pieces)150 calories, 9 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 35 milligrams of sodium, 18 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

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