Every once in a while, a product comes along that has the potential to truly change an industry. When Taco Bell launched its Doritos Taco Loco in March 2012, it generated a social media firestorm. Teens lined up at midnight drive-thrus in an effort to be the first to taste the bold sensation. Twitter was flooded with pictures of dashboards covered in taco paraphernalia.
Much like any innovation, expectations for a follow up product are high. Every year that Apple releases another iPhone with a features list short of internet fanboy expectations can be seen as well, another year. It's almost as routine as the bodily functions that procede a Taco Bell meal. Somewhere, someplace, a nerd is duly disappointed as their favorite blog's predictions have failed to come true. So, does Taco Bell have another hit on its hands? Read on to find out.
When I was given my tray of tacos, the Cool Ranch Doritos Taco Loco was indistinguishable from the rest of the pile. Yes, I did buy a pile of tacos sadly. I was at first angry. I could not find my Cool Ranch taco! Was this some sort of viral marketing ruse? Had the Bell duped us all in an attempt to generate media buzz by not actually releasing the much awaited taco a day early as promised? And if so, how were all of T-bells workers in on it?
Upon unsheathing my Cool Ranch taco, I could not help but notice its fragility. This is the same issue that I had with the original Nacho Cheese taco. One can only assume that whatever magical process takes place to create a Doritos taco must compromise the durability of the shell. This is an off-putting feature. The only thing that frustrates me more than an already broken taco shell is one that collapses mid-bite. My taco was broken when i got it and proceded to shatter even more as I bit into it.
As you can see, the Cool Ranch taco relies on Dorito dust to get the job done. The taco shell itself seems to taste no different from any other taco. The amount of Cool Ranch flavor you get is dependent solely on the amount of Dorito dust applied. I first tried the Supreme version. The Cool Ranch flavor did not come through for one reason or another. Much like with the Nacho Cheese taco, the Supreme Cool Ranch taco is inferior. The toppings of tomatoes and sour cream only cuts the Doritos flavor you're looking for.
When trying the standard Cool Ranch taco, I found that the Cool Ranch flavor was more prevalent. But really, that flavor is only slight and the real taste is saltiness.
Conclusion: 2 out of 5 Runs for the Border.
Much like its big brother, the Cool Ranch Doritos Taco Loco is a paradox of Taco Bell flavors. Ordinarily, one would expect any item with "Supreme" attached to it would be better. However, the Cool Ranch taco just isn't very good with the extra toppings. Even in its best form, the non-supreme version, the Cool Ranch taco just isn't that great. If you really want to combine mexican flavors with Doritos, your best bet is to grab a bag of Doritos chips and a tub of taco dip. Trust me, it's a bold flavor experience that the Bell just can't duplicate.
(Really hurting here, you guys.)
Update: Early 2013 Taco Bell Taco Power Rankings
Yes, I did eat all of these in one sitting. You're welcome?
7. Nacho Cheese Doritos Taco Loco Supreme
Something about the combination of sour cream and nacho cheese dust really throws off my tastebuds. At some point, it starts to taste like a horrible curry. If you've never had a curry before, you might enjoy this taco. Otherwise, steer clear.
6. Cool Ranch Doritos Taco Loco Supreme
Just like the Nacho Cheese variety, the Supreme version of this Doritos taco makes no sense. The customer pays more and gets less. The extra toppings do nothing but mute the Doritos flavor you're after.
5. The Double Decker Taco
I originally never considered the Double Decker in my taco power rankings. It's like a monstrosity out of Dr. Moreau's lab. An original crunchy taco is surrounded by a flour shell with beans squished in between. I never order the Double Decker because it usually just tastes like beans. But after a day of eating Doritos tacos, the mild flavor and lack of salt was a welcome change.
4. Cool Ranch Doritos Taco Loco
I'll admit, I'm somewhat biased. Cool Ranch has never been my favorite flavor of Doritos.
3. Nacho Cheese Doritos Taco Loco
Even being my favorite flavor of Doritos chips could not catapult the Nacho Cheese Doritos Taco Loco to the number one position. Taco Bell really didn't capture the Doritos experience. It's literally a crunchy taco coated in Dorito dust. We all expected an actual shell made of Doritos chips.
2. The Original Crunchy Taco
The old standby still runs strong. I've decided to not create a separate category for the Supreme version as the toppings don't really change the overall flavor and they amount to only a personal preference. The great thing about the original taco is the ability to customize. T-bell has stepped up their game in the sauce department making it fun to run wild with the sauce. I'd gladly take one taco for each flavor of sauce packet.
1. The Volcano Taco
The Volcano Taco really knows how to pack a punch. The only difference between a regular taco and Volcano taco is the Volcano's dark red shell and the addition of Lava sauce. If you think you've tasted this sauce at another restaurant, you're not wrong. I'm almost certain this is the same sauce used at KFC and Burger King to spice up various products throughout the years. Regardless, I'm a fan. The sauce itself is really spicy and has a great taste. Plus, it changes the texture of the taco shell. The shell starts to become moist in a good way. It has crunch, a good chewiness, and lots of spice.
