Additional Coverage:
- We tried every item on Taco Bell’s value menu, where everything costs $3 or less, and ranked them from worst to best (businessinsider.com)
Taco Bell Unleashes “Luxe Value” Menu: We Rank the Best (and the Rest!)
In a world where every penny counts, fast-food giants are battling for your buck with revamped value menus. McDonald’s is pushing breakfast, Wendy’s has “Biggie Deals,” and never one to be outdone, Taco Bell has just dropped its new “Luxe Value” menu for 2026. This isn’t just a rehash; it’s a 10-item lineup featuring five brand-new creations alongside five beloved classics, all priced at a budget-friendly $3 or less.
From classic tacos and burritos to unexpected delights like churros and a mini taco salad, the options are plentiful. But with so many choices, how do you know what’s worth your hard-earned cash (or, let’s be real, that loose change under your car seat)? Our local food reporters, Anneta Konstantinides and Erin McDowell, bravely dove fork-first into every single item to bring you the definitive ranking.
The Luxe Value Lowdown: From Last Place to First
10. Chips and Nacho Supreme Dip ($2.49)
This new dip promises a lot with seasoned beef, refried beans, nacho cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, and a three-cheese blend. However, our tasters found the sour cream a bit too dominant, and the seasoned beef, while tasty, got a little lost in the shuffle.
With so many other great dips on Taco Bell’s menu, this one might be a skip.
9. Cheesy Roll Up ($1.19)
The epitome of simplicity, this fan-favorite features a three-cheese blend melted into a soft flour tortilla. It’s light, it’s cheesy, but it lacks the pizzazz of its menu mates.
While perfect for little ones or those nostalgic for their “broke college student” days, it likely won’t be a repeat order for most.
8. Cheesy Double Beef Burrito ($2.79)
Returning from the 2024 value menu, this burrito aims to be a beefier version of its predecessor. Packed with meat, rice, nacho cheese, tortilla strips, a three-cheese blend, and sour cream, it certainly delivers on substance.
Our reporters appreciated the seasoned beef and the satisfying crunch of the tortilla strips. However, it left them wishing for a bit more distinct flavor, perhaps a touch of acid or heat to truly make it pop.
7. 3-Cheese Chicken Flatbread Melt ($2.29)
Another returning champion from 2024, this flatbread melt boasts grilled chicken, a three-cheese blend, and creamy chipotle sauce. The juicy chicken and elevated cheese blend were a hit, and the pillowy flatbread itself was a strong contender.
But ultimately, the dish felt a little “flat,” needing an extra veggie or some avocado salsa to brighten things up.
6. Spicy Potato Soft Taco ($1.29)
A value menu staple since 2020, this taco combines seasoned potatoes, lettuce, cheese, and chipotle sauce in a soft flour tortilla. The potatoes offered a nice kick, but their small, square shape meant they had a tendency to escape.
Our tasters wondered if a hash-brown patty might offer a more cohesive and crunchy experience.
5. Avocado Ranch Chicken Stacker ($2.99)
Making its debut, this stacker is all about fresh flavors: grilled chicken, a three-cheese blend, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado ranch sauce, all folded and grilled in a tortilla. The tender chicken and creamy avocado sauce evoked memories of beloved discontinued items, and the crisp veggies were a welcome addition.
The only minor quibble? Our reporters wished for a bit more filling to balance out the substantial tortilla.
4. Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito ($1.49)
Don’t let the simple name fool you; this burrito with beans, seasoned rice, nacho cheese sauce, and creamy jalapeño sauce packs a surprising punch. It’s warm, comforting, and surprisingly hefty for the price.
Our reporters lauded it as a great plant-based option and even a potential hangover cure. Talk about versatility!
3. Salted Caramel Churros ($1.99)
A brand-new sweet treat, these three churros dusted in salted caramel sugar were an unexpected delight. The crunchy exterior gave way to a sweet, creamy interior, and the salted caramel added a lovely depth of flavor.
While dessert isn’t typically the first thing that comes to mind at Taco Bell, these churros are a definite must-try.
2. Beefy Potato Loaded Griller ($2.49)
This griller impressed with its seasoned beef, crispy potato bites, nacho cheese sauce, chipotle sauce, and sour cream, all wrapped in a grilled tortilla. Designed for on-the-go eating, it delivers a satisfying crunch from the grilled tortilla, contrasting beautifully with the juicy beef and soft potatoes.
The creamy chipotle sauce ties everything together, making this feel like a fresh, exciting direction for Taco Bell.
1. Mini Taco Salad ($2.49)
And the winner is… the Mini Taco Salad! Our reporters confessed they wouldn’t have believed it themselves, but this new dish was full of pleasant surprises.
Featuring seasoned beef, refried beans, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and chipotle sauce in a mini tortilla bowl, it somehow elevated the often-lackluster traditional taco salad. The tortilla shell was a crispy, salty dream, and the combination of warm beef, fresh veggies, and zesty chipotle sauce was simply delicious.
Plus, it earns bonus points for being undeniably adorable!