It's Back -- Taco Bell's Highly Acclaimed "Mexican Pizza"

 

Irvine, Calif. (April 18, 2022) – “While rumors of the Mexican Pizza’s return have been swirling for months, it hasn’t been publicly confirmed, until now. From petitions, to memorials, to merch, the Taco Bell cult has (rightfully) been all but silent about its menu hiatus. Doja Cat, the voice of the Taco Bell people, was one of the first to confirm the news this past weekend, when she literally dropped the mic with the HOT news of the Mexican Pizza’s return this May.

“But, Doja wasn't the only fan who played a role in bringing back the Mexican Pizza. Equally vocal with their pleas for the menu items return were 200K+ signers of a Change.Org petition, spearheaded by superfan Krish Jagirdar. Leading up to the May 19 return, fans can expect even more ways to get involved with its historical return.”

(“Fan-Favorite Mexican Pizza Makes Historic Return To Taco Bell® This May.” https://www.tacobell.com/news/mexican-pizza-makes-historic-return-to-taco-bell. April 18, 2022.)

(By the way, Doja Cat is a Grammy award-winning artist who made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at the tender age of sixteen. Since then, she has catapulted into the mainstream and met with critical acclaim.)

But, the real star of this story is the Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. The Mexican Pizza was one of several menu staples dropped by Taco Bell in 2020 as the company simplified its menu amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The removal of the Mexican Pizza was particularly disliked by fans, with an online petition to “save” the menu item garnering more than 170,000 supporters.

Now, the Mexican Pizza is back and making headlines as the return of a fan-favorite. And fans of the item aren't the only stimulus to the comeback. Masterminds in the Taco Bell test kitchen worked to streamline operations and ingredient sourcing, and leave a lighter footprint at the same time.

The Story Goes …

The Mexican Pizza was ever the crowd pleaser – debuting in 1985, it garnered a cult following and was a staple on Taco Bell’s menu for more than three decades, delighting people of all ages and walks of life.

And, the price was right. At just four bucks for a double tostada layered, meat-loaded pizza, there was no other option on the Taco Bell menu that gave you quite the same bang for your buck. Considering how unique the Mexican Pizza was, the discontinuation of it came as a surprise to many. So, how did all those years of success lead Taco Bell to retire such a popular item seemingly overnight?

Low sales didn't kill the pizza. According to a press release published on Taco's Bell website, the decision was made in light of Taco Bell's commitment to become a more eco-friendly establishment. The press release explains that in Taco Bell's U.S. locations alone, the packaging used for the Mexican Pizza produced over seven million pounds of paperboard material per year. This directly goes against the restaurant's mission, which was updated in January 2020 to focus on "making all consumer-facing packaging recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025 worldwide" (via Taco Bell).

(Kalea Martin. “The Untold Truth Of Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza.” https://www.mashed.com/486275/the-untold-truth-of-taco-bells-mexican-pizza/?utm_campaign=clip. Mashed. August 12, 2021.)

To expedite its return, Taco Bell has been dedicated to improving its sustainability practices, including a sauce packet recycling program pilot in the US with TerraCycle as the brand tracks towards its 2025 commitment for all recyclable, compostable or reusable consumer facing packaging.

The Product

Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza used to be called “Pizzazz Pizza,” which was marketed as a midnight snack. Three years later, Taco Bell renamed the dish “Mexican Pizza.” The tagline was simple yet promising: “It’s like pizza, but it’s different.”

Thanks to its inherent customizability, the Mexican Pizza grew to be a truly beloved menu item. It generally consists of layers of seasoned ground beef and beans sandwiched between two tostadas topped with melted cheese and tomatoes. Many vegetarians and vegans, however, appreciate the menu item because it's easy to leave off the meat and cheese and still have a delicious, portable drive-thru snack.

Mexican Pizza is all about the fresh ingredients that combine the best elements of Mexican and Italian cuisine – ground beef, tomatoes, green onions, black olives, and a two-cheese blend. Over the years, the Mexican Pizza lost the green onions and black olives simply because Taco Bell phased them out (via Reddit). These toppings were ultimately replaced with refried beans and the two-cheese blend was upgraded to a three-cheese blend.

(Ashlie D. Stevens. “Taco Bell is bringing back the Mexican Pizza, but we have an easy homemade recipe if you can't wait.” Salon. April 18, 2022.)

Taco Bell Rewards Members will have first access to the Mexican Pizza beginning on May 17, followed by a general release in stores two days later, according to a press release issued by the company. As an IOU, Taco Bell Rewards Members who received a mystery reward back during the Big Game will score a free Mexican Pizza when it's back May 19.

"Like many Indian-Americans who grew up vegetarian, we had limited access to the 'fun' fast food, so Taco Bell became a bridge to belonging in American culture for many kids like me who grew up in immigrant households," said Krish Jagirdar, the organizer of the Change.Org petition to bring back the Mexican Pizza. (For the record, the petition gained nearly 172,000 supporters.)

The newest iteration of the Mexican Pizza clocks in at 530 calories, and lots of delicious carbohydrates. The standard version features the signature crisp pizza shell, seasoned beef, beans, a three-cheese blend, and tomatoes.

Price Note:

Tacobell.com reports that the Mexican Pizza – available in a vegetarian option as well – will be available a la carte for $4.49 or as part of a combo with two crunchy tacos and a large fountain drink for $8.99. Those prices are dependent on location.

Carnivores can swap their beef with chicken or steak, and vegetarians can sub refried beans or black beans. The menu also features several add-ons, including onions, sour cream, guacamole, green onions, seasoned rice, and jalapeno peppers.

Beyond Taco Bell’s official messaging, rumors about the future of the Mexican Pizza are buzzing online. In December 2021, the blog Living Mas obtained a leaked video from a Taco Bell franchise convention in Colorado Springs earlier that fall. The footage allegedly shows Mike Grams (Taco Bell’s VP and COO) and Liz Matthews (Chief Food Innovation Officer) speaking on stage with Mexican Pizza artwork displayed behind them.

Per the transcript, Grams and Matthews teased ideas to elevate the Mexican Pizza with a double-cheese version, a 7-layer version, a spicy chorizo topping, and even a cinnamon-chocolate dessert variation.

(El Duderino. “Grab Your Wipes: Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza Is Coming Back!” https://dudeproducts.com/blogs/dude-blog/taco-bell-mexican-pizza. February 14, 2022.)

Bottom Line

When this Mex-Itali concoction “hits your eye like a big pizza pie,” then, as Dean Martin crooned, “It's amore!” At least that's what many are evidently saying about the return of Taco Bell Mexican Pizza. Many fans will be running for the border for an old favorite. Meanwhile, the excitement is building.

Personally, I wish they would also bring back Gidget (February 7, 1994 – July 21, 2009), the " Taco Bell Chihuahua” famous for the line "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" ("I want Taco Bell!"). Dogs and pizza – what better appeal for an old geezer like me?

Here is some nutritional information about the Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell:

Nutritional Facts

There are 530 calories in a Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell. Most of those calories come from fat (49%) and carbohydrates (36%).

Updated: 8/3/2020

Serving Size	1 pizza
Calories	530
Calories From Fat	260
	Amount Per Serving	% Daily Value*
Total Fat	29g	45%
Saturated Fat	8.0g	40%
Trans Fat	.5g
Cholesterol	40mg	13%
Sodium	860mg	36%
Total Carbohydrates	48g	16%
Dietary Fiber	9g	36%
Sugars	3g
Protein	19g	38%
Vitamin A		10%
Vitamin C		4%
Calcium		30%
Iron		20%

*All percent daily value figures are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional information source: Taco Bell. 

Ingredients

Mexican Pizza Shell: Enriched bleached wheat flour, water, ground corn (with fumaric acid, calcium propionate and potassium sorbate (P)), vegetable oil (corn, soybean, and/or cottonseed oil), salt. Prepared in canola oil. Contains: Wheat [certified vegan], Refried Beans: Pinto beans, soybean oil, seasoning (salt, sugar, spice, beet powder (VC), natural flavors, sunflower oil, maltodextrin, corn flour, trehalose, modified cornstarch). [certified vegan], Seasoned Beef: Beef, water, seasoning [cellulose, chili pepper, maltodextrin, salt, oats, soy lecithin, spices, tomato powder, sugar, onion powder, citric acid, natural flavors (including smoke flavor), torula yeast, cocoa, disodium inosinate & guanylate, dextrose, lactic acid, modified corn starch], salt, sodium phosphates. Contains: Soy, Three Cheese Blend: Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, Pasteurized Process Monterey Jack and American Cheese with Peppers (Cultured Milk, Cultured Part-Skim Milk, Water, Cream, Salt, Sodium Citrate, Jalapeno Peppers, Sodium Phosphate, Lactic Acid, Sorbic Acid [P], Color Added, Annatto and Paprika Extract Blend [VC], Enzymes), Anticaking Agents (Potato Starch, Cornstarch, Powdered Cellulose). Contains: Milk [certified vegetarian], Mexican Pizza Sauce: Water, diced tomatoes, diced green chilies, modified food starch, onions, sugar, tomato paste, spices, salt, maltodextrin, paprika (VC), garlic powder, xanthan gum, onion powder, disodium inosinate & guanylate, natural flavors, trehalose, citric acid. [certified vegan], Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes. [certified vegan]

 

Gidget RIP