According to multiple reports, the Taco Bell fan favorite Mexican Pizza is set to return to menus at the fast food restaurant this spring.
Audacy reached out to Taco Bell Saturday to see if the rumors are true. We haven’t received confirmation yet.
What is Mexican Pizza and why is it gone?
Mexican Pizza was made up of ground meat or beans between two flat crispy tortillas. It was topped with cheese, sauce, tomatoes and, occasionally, olives. Taco Bell debuted Mexican Pizza in 1988, according to Restaurant Business Magazine.
“It’s like pizza, but it’s different,” said an advertisement for the dish.
In September 2020, Taco Bell announced it would discontinue Mexican Pizza as part of a revamped menu. Other discontinued items included pico de gallo and shredded chicken.
“We know some fans may be sad to see this one go, we are too,” said Taco Bell of the Mexican Pizza. “One silver lining of saying goodbye to the Mexican Pizza that might help you rest easy is that removing it from our menus helps us work towards our commitment to leave a lighter footprint on our planet.”
As of 2020, Mexican Pizza packaging accounted for over 7 million pounds of paperboard material per year in the U.S., said the company.
Missing Mexican Pizza
Since Mexican Pizza disappeared from Taco Bell menus, more than 170,000 fans have signed a petition calling for Taco Bell to bring it back.
“This is an item loved by many, especially the South Asian community,” said the petition. “Losing this item would not only be the loss of one of our favorite foods but a piece of our childhood & heritage as Indian Americans.”
Social media users also bemoaned the loss of Mexican Pizza and made memes about the decision to nix it from Taco Bell’s offerings, said Food Network.
In a recent interview with Business Insider, American entertainment icon Dolly Parton revealed she was also sad to see the Mexican Pizza go. She told the outlet it was one of her favorite Taco Bell items.
“I think they should,” she said when asked if she thinks the chain should bring it back.
Rumors Mexican Pizza will make a comeback
Back in March 2021, Mexican Pizza fans got a shred of hope when Taco Bell's global chief food innovation officer Liz Matthews told Business Insider “there’s always a chance,” the item could return.
In November, the Living Más blog said sources claimed the item would soon be available again. By December, the blog said three “credible” sources indicated beloved menu item would in fact return this spring, including Reddit posts and an alleged leaked video from a franchise convention. This month, the Desert News and Mashed also reported that Mexican Pizza is coming back in April or May, citing Instagram food blogger markie_devo.
At this time, Taco Bell has not confirmed or denied the rumors. In the past, the chain has brought items, such as potatoes, back due to customer demand.
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