Taco Chat: Doritos Locos from Taco Bell

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It’s not often that I’ve felt guilty about getting something for free, but the Doritos Locos Taco I got at a Taco Bell promotion several weeks back is one of the greatest things I’ve ever eaten at any price, and I would love to get more of them someday (when I get a job!). It had been years since I’d bothered to actually get a taco at Taco Bell, as I usually get two of their quesadillas–one steak, one chicken–and a Frutista Freeze instead. I got those things anyway, but this time I had a little something extra to go along with them.

Graphics

As shown in the featured image, the Doritos Locos Taco is a delectable collection of “premium seasoned beef, crisp lettuce, and real cheddar cheese” (source), and the shell, itself made out of real Doritos chips, completes the picture. The Supreme version of the taco is even more elegant, with lovely red diced tomatoes and sour cream adding to the already colorful ensemble.

Sound

This isn’t some wimpy, chewy “mama’s-boy” taco. Those Doritos chips pack a punch in the audio department, and every bite is accompanied by a tremendous audio feedback of accentuated crispy cracks. The consistency of the shell is everything you would expect from a hardcore taco, and even though the weaker sounds of beef, cheese, and lettuce being shredded by hungry teeth don’t quite lend the same effect, the sound of the shell itself is exceptional enough to carry the rest of the meal.

Gameplay

This thing is delicious. I had no problems whatsoever with consistency or temperature, and as best as I recall, the core dish is pretty warm without being overbearing: the taco toppings make for an excellent combination both in premise and in execution. While taco-eating can be somewhat unpleasantly messy (more on that in “Add-Ons,” below) compared to one of my other Taco Bell favorites, the quesadilla, that’s nothing some decorum and a few napkins can’t fix.

Multiplayer

One taco probably isn’t going to suffice as a dinner platter for any family, but while I’ve not been able to engage in multiplayer for review or leisure purposes at this time, I could totally see myself chowing down on these things with friends. Taco Bell always has a friendly atmosphere and lovely decorations, so engaging in conversation and kicking back with friends while enjoying this culinary delight would be quite a fine addition to a quality evening.

Add-ons

The Doritos Locos Taco deserves Taco Bell’s proprietary Fire sauce. It’s not that hot to me, but it packs more than enough of a tang to benefit a dish like this. Since I wasn’t altogether familiar with Taco Bell’s sauces, I tried two or three of their flavors, these being (as I recall) the Mild, Hot, and Fire flavors. The “Fire” sauce was only as hot as I imagined the “Hot” sauce being, and the “Hot” sauce was what I expected from the Mild sauce. I may want to try some Texas Pete or some of the habanero sauce my family buys on one of these things in the future, just to see what kind of kick I can handle. In addition, I wholeheartedly recommend the use of a fork, also available free of charge at Taco Bell or (preferably–the idea of plasticware breaking apart makes me nervous) in a metal edition at home. Either way, the taco stands well enough on its own, but Fire sauce only improves the final product.

Overall

Taco Bell has created another masterpiece, as pretty much everything about the Doritos Locos Taco is a treat and a delight from start to finish, beginning from the visual arrangement of the meal and its components, to the glorious first snaps of the taco’s hard shell and the euphoric consumption of the beef and lettuce within. The taco is truly at its best at the hottest temperature the individual eater can enjoy (those new to sauces may want to try a little at a time and to keep milk or even one of Taco Bell’s Frutista Freezes nearby until they’re sure of their own unique tastes), but one way or another, taco lovers everywhere owe it to themselves and to Taco Bell to give the Doritos Locos Taco a try.

(Image from tacobell.com)

Review disclaimer: A review copy of the Doritos Locos Taco, some napkins, a fork, and several packets of flavoring sauce were provided by Taco Bell at their expense for my use.

The format of this review was inspired by the Snacktaku features on Kotaku.

dracosummoner

Make the most of life, no matter where you are in it. Work hard toward noble goals, but concern yourself less with what you can gain for yourself than with what you can do for others, no matter what circumstances you find yourself in. I love sushi. And pizza. And cheesecake. Face me in Pokémon!