REVIEW: Taco Bell Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa

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Taco Bell Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa Shell

Taco Bell has always been different in how it approaches new items. Sometimes it takes huge swings with things like the Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco. Other times, it finds a way to remix a few ingredients and package it as a new item. The Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa falls squarely into the latter.

It consists of a deep fried flatbread shell, seasoned beef, tomato, lettuce, creamy chipotle sauce, and shredded cheddar cheese. To be entirely honest, I was a little underwhelmed when I first ordered it. A change of cheese and substituting sour cream with chipotle sauce didn’t seem like it would make much of a difference. After the first bite, I was eating my words.

Taco Bell Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa Sauce

The creamy chipotle sauce is the same one used in the Spicy Potato Soft Taco. It’s creamy, smokey, and offers just a little bit of heat without being painfully spicy. It was a pleasant surprise when I took a bite of the chalupa and realized it was the same sauce. Using shredded cheddar cheese instead of the shredded three cheese blend added a little more sharpness, but it didn’t stand out like the chipotle sauce. The chalupa shell will always be one of the best food items Taco Bell has ever added to not only its lineup, but the fast food landscape.

Taco Bell Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa Filling

I honestly don’t know why I thought I would be underwhelmed with the item considering my deep love for the long discontinued Baja Beef Chalupa. The simple swap was absolutely delicious and made me want to get it again or, at the very least, remember the customization for next time. Although, when this item eventually is no longer offered, the cost to customize a chalupa to this recipe will run me a dollar more.

I would love to see Taco Bell bring back a few variations to standard menu items on a more permanent basis (like the Baja or Nacho Chalupas were). At the very least, it should be a 1 for 1 swap that doesn’t cost more to remove a sauce and add another.

The Chipotle Cheddar Chalupa isn’t going to change the world, but it does an excellent job of adding a new twist to a standard product and to shake me out of my Taco Bell rut. I tend to stick with the same three items when I go to Taco Bell, so it was a nice reminder to explore outside the norm. Even if it’s as simple as swapping sauces.

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 420 calories, 28 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 30 milligrams of cholesterol, 610 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.

SPOTTED: Lay’s Layers (Sour Cream & Onion and Three Cheese)

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Lay s Layers Sour Cream Onion and Three Cheese

Is this a sublminal snack message to encourage me to drink Pepsi? Because all I see when I look at the pieces on the bags is the Pepsi logo. Note: Lay’s is a subsidiary of PepsiCo. (Spotted by Brian C at Walmart.)

SPOTTED – 12/31/2021

/ / Spotted on Shelves / 19 Comments

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

Kellogg s Nutrigrain Chocolatey Banana Bites
Kellogg’s Nutrigrain Chocolatey Banana Bites

(Spotted by Chris B at Kroger.)

Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Birthday Cake White Chocolate Cocoa Mix
Land O Lakes Cocoa Classics Birthday Cake White Chocolate Cocoa Mix

(Spotted by Tommy at Hannaford.)

Campbell s Well Yes Plant Based Chicken Chick n Noodle and Chick n with Rice
Campbell’s Well Yes! Plant-Based Chicken Chick’n Noodle and Chick’n with Rice

(Spotted by Tommy at Hannaford.)

Trolli Berry Lemonade Sour Crunchy Crawlers
Trolli Berry Lemonade Sour Crunchy Crawlers

(Spotted by Deborah at Walgreens.)

Dole Teriyaki Pineapple Chopped Kit
Dole Teriyaki Pineapple Chopped Kit
Dole Fiesta Lime Chopped Kit
Dole Fiesta Lime Chopped Kit

(Spotted by Tommy at Shaw’s)

Shrewd Food Bacon Ranch Protein Croutons
Shrewd Food Bacon Ranch Protein Croutons

(Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)

Incredibowl Frosted Flakes
Incredibowl Frosted Flakes
Incredibowl Honey Nut Loops
Incredibowl Honey Nut Loops

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

REVIEW: Black Forest Cake M&M’s

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Black Forest Cake M M s Bag

What are Black Forest Cake M&M’s?

Arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day, this seasonal flavor takes its inspiration from the Black Forest cake. Each M&M combines milk and dark chocolate with a twist of cherry flavor.

For those of you who haven’t binge-watched an embarrassing amount of baking competition shows, a Black Forest cake consists of layers of chocolate cake, whipped cream, and syrup- or kirsch-soaked cherries, topped with chocolate shavings.

How are they?

Black Forest Cake M M s Rows

The spirit of Valentine’s Day is strong with this product, from the festive packaging to the pink, red, and white candy shells that scream “Valentine’s Day” (or at least sing it in a Barry White-esque baritone).

Additionally, these M&M’s remind me of a Valentine’s staple: cherry cordial candies. The milk chocolate center of the M&M seems to hold most of the cherry flavor, which tastes a lot like a cherry cordial — minus the sticky filling. The cherry taste complements the chocolate well. It is noticeable, but not overwhelming, medicinal, or sour.

Black Forest Cake M M s Innards

Dark chocolate surrounds the M&M’s milk chocolate core, adding a subtle hint of bitterness to the bite. I don’t often enjoy M&M’s that combine two kinds of chocolate because one always overwhelms the other. This combination, though, creates a successful flavor contrast that reminds me of biting into a filled chocolate or a chocolate shaving on a cake.

Anything else you need to know?

I wondered why M&M’s chose to name these after Black Forest cake rather than cherry cordials, which seem more Valentines-y to me as someone who, granted, participates in Valentine’s Day solely by shopping for discounted candy the next day. A Google search tells me that Cherry Cordial M&M’s previously existed, although that variety used only milk chocolate.

Conclusion:

Black Forest Cake M M s Bowl

Black Forest Cake M&M’s combine milk and dark chocolate expertly and boast a sweet cherry flavor. The candies may seem simple compared to their elaborate namesake, but they are still worthy of a spot next to the cherry cordials in your Valentine’s Day chocolate box.

Purchased Price: $3.28
Size: 8 oz (226.8 g) bag
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (per 1 ounce/about 16 pieces) 140 calories, 6 grams of fat, 3.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 10 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.

SPOTTED: Lucky Charms Complete Marshmallow Pancake Kit

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Lucky Charms Complete Marshmallow Pancake Kit

With the colorful bits in the panckaes and the Lucky Charms marbits on top, I want to call this Luckfetti Charms. Yes, I do not have a marketing degree. (Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

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