13 Things You Might Be Doing Wrong At Taco Bell
The chain got its start in Downey, California, in 1962 when Glen Bell opened the first restaurant. Just two years later, Kermit Becky, a retired police officer, opened the first franchise location. A few years later, in 1967, there were 100 Taco Bell locations. Today, Taco Bell is one of the most well-known fast food chains. It has over 7,000 locations across all 50 states, with more across the world. The restaurant is known for its reasonably priced Mexican-inspired menu, with favorites such as the Chalupa Supreme, Cheesy Gordita Crunch, Doritos Locos Taco, and more.
If you've been a Taco Bell regular for years, you may consider yourself an expert on everything that has to do with the restaurant. However, even regulars may be doing some things wrong when eating or ordering at Taco Bell. If you want to avoid common errors that could prevent you from getting the best deals or the most enjoyable meal, we've put this list together just for you.
1. Not becoming a Taco Bell Rewards member
If you haven't become a member of Taco Bell Rewards, you've already identified the first thing you've been doing wrong. Taco Bell Rewards is a customer loyalty program that allows members to earn free and discounted menu items. Beyond the free items, Taco Bell Rewards members may also be the first to hear about and try new items.
As a member of the program, you'll earn 10 points for each dollar you spend, not including discounts, fees, or taxes. Keep ordering, and let your points total accumulate. Each time you hit 250 points, you'll earn a reward and get a free item. Some of the different freebie options include Chips & Nacho Cheese Sauce, a Bean Burrito, Cinnamon Twists, a Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito Sausage, or a medium fountain drink.
If you really love Taco Bell and order enough to gain 2,000 points for the calendar year, you'll reach the Fire Tier of the program. Once you reach this level, not only will you earn 11 points for every dollar you spend, but you'll also have some additional options for your freebies, such as the Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Tacos.
You can earn points with every order, whether you place it online, through the app, at the counter, or in the drive-thru line. When you order through the app or your computer when logged into your account, the points will automatically be applied to your account. If you order at the counter or the drive-thru line, simply scan the code on your receipt through the app to have the points added to your order.
2. Not ordering through the Taco Bell app
Ordering through the Taco Bell app is the best way to get your order. As we mentioned, when you place an order through the Taco Bell app, the points for your Taco Bell Rewards account will automatically be added. You won't need to worry about saving and scanning your receipt. But, the ease of getting the points added to your rewards account is not the only reason you should order using the Taco Bell app.
One of the best things about using the app is that it makes it so easy to customize each menu item to your liking. You can easily add or remove ingredients, allowing you to enjoy your meal to the fullest. Ordering through the app also means that you can get your order more quickly. If there's a long line at the register, you'll still be able to place your order, and it will be ready faster than if you had to wait behind everyone else.
If you like being the first to try new menu items when they're released, you'll definitely want to download the app. App users are able to see these new items three days before they are released to everyone else. Need one more reason to try the Taco Bell app? You can add a free Doritos Locos Taco to any purchase you place through the app.
3. Not enjoying Nacho Fries to the fullest
Nacho Fries are a special menu item that isn't always available. But when they are available, you'll want to make sure to order them to try. They are different from standard fast food french fries that you can get anywhere else. Rather than just salt, they are seasoned with Mexican spices, giving them a bit of a kick. Plus, as its name suggests, you don't dip Nacho Fries in ketchup. No, you dip them in the gooey cheese sauce that is served with the fries.
Ordering Nacho Fries on the side with your favorite menu items is one way to enjoy this. However, if this is the only way you've been ordering them, then you've really been missing out. Instead of eating a bit of your favorite Taco Bell taco or burrito and then having a bite of Nacho Fries, did you know that you can have the restaurant stuff your taco, burrito, or another menu item with them? Yes, you read that correctly. For just a small charge, you can add Nacho Fries inside nearly any other Taco Bell entrée. This is definitely one you'll want to try.
4. Not trying something from the secret menu
If you didn't know that Taco Bell has a secret menu, then that's another mistake. If you know about the secret menu and have failed to try something from it, that's an even bigger mistake. The secret menu items were developed by fans and restaurant employees who devised new ways to combine popular Taco Bell ingredients and menu items. Once you read more about these special menu items, you're surely going to be kicking yourself for not trying them sooner.
One of the items that you might want to add to your next order is the hulk. Aptly named, this special offering adds guacamole to a standard bean and cheese burrito, taking its flavor to the next level. You could even try the incredible hulk, which replaces the nacho cheese that comes on a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito with guacamole.
Another fan-favorite item on the secret menu is the Double Grilled Quesadilla. This option allows you to get a nice and crispy quesadilla, as it will be grilled for about twice as long as the original preparation instructions state. Some other secret menu items to try at Taco Bell include the Superman Burrito, the Meximelt, the Mexican Calzone, and the Tie-Dye Freeze.
5. Not signing up for email offers and information
Who doesn't like getting special deals and offers? One of the best ways to make sure that you are always in the know about all things Taco Bell and able to save as much money as possible at the restaurant is to register for an account. Signing up takes only a few seconds, you'll just need to enter your name, email address, and birthday. Then, create a password for your account, and it will all be set up.
So, what do you get when you create an account and sign up for email offers? Well, first, you'll get a free gift every year on your birthday, which is why you need to enter your birthday when you sign up. Account holders will also be able to earn free rewards and be among the first to see special offers. Many of these will be the same as what is offered to those in the app.
There will also be special bonus point challenges presented for account holders. When you complete the challenge of ordering specific menu items, you'll be rewarded with extra points to help you earn more free items. Consenting to receive emails means that you'll also find special news and deals in your inbox from time to time. Some of these specials may only be available to email subscribers, so you won't want to miss out on them.
6. Not ordering fresco style to save on calories
Let's face it. While you may love how Taco Bell tastes, many of its menu items aren't the healthiest. Fortunately, there is a small hack that can help you cut your calories and get a more nutritional meal the next time you order from there. Try ordering one of your favorites Fresco Style. This preparation method will remove some of the fatty and higher calorie items, such as cheese, sour cream, or sauces with a mayonnaise base, and replace them with diced tomatoes.
When you order one of the menu items, Fresco Style, you may be able to lower the calorie count by as much as 25%. For example, a Fresco Style Crunchy Taco has just 140 calories, and a Fresco Bean Burrito has only 350 calories. Ordering Fresco Style can also help if you're looking for vegan options at Taco Bell. While you obviously want to stay away from items with meat proteins, when you ask for something Fresco Style, it will remove "items typically higher in calories and fat," according to Taco Bell.
7. Not ordering a Cravings Box
When you place your next Taco Bell order, you really should consider getting a Cravings Box. Cravings Boxes include three menu items plus a drink. You can choose a specialty item, a classic item, and a side. For the specialties, the available options include a Chalupa Supreme, a Cheesy Gordita Crunch, or a Crunchwrap Supreme. The classic options include a Crunchy or Soft Taco, a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, a Bean Burrito, or a Spicy Potato Soft Taco. You can add Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, or Cinnamon Twists for the sides. Then, for the drink, you can choose a fountain drink, Freeze Slushy, or iced or hot coffee.
Beyond all the different options and everything you'll get in your Cravings Box to fill you up for lunch or dinner, this menu item is a really great deal. The price for the Cravings Box can vary based on where you live, but in most places, it is about $6.00. Considering that everything in the box is probably worth $12.00 or more, it is pretty easy to see what a deal you'll be getting.
8. Not visiting during Happier Hour
Taco Bell's take on happy hour happens between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. every day. During it, you can quench your thirst for just $1. That's right, all medium drinks and regular Freezes cost only $1. Taco Bell offers Pepsi products, so you can choose favorites such as Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, or the exclusive Mountain Dew Baja Blast. There are also several Freeze options to choose from, such as Mountain Dew Baja Blast Freeze, Blue Raspberry Freeze, or Wild Cherry Freeze.
This happy hour offers incredible savings opportunities. While the regular price of a medium drink will vary depending on where you live, they cost about $2.89. The freezes are an even better deal during Taco Bell's happy hour. Their regular price is about $3.89. At the discounted rate, you'll save over 50% on drinks during that window of opportunity.
9. Not realizing that you can also order breakfast
Are lunch and dinner the only times you head to Taco Bell? If so, did you realize that you could also grab Taco Bell for a quick and satisfying breakfast before school, work, or other activities? Taco Bell has actually been serving breakfast for quite a while now; its first breakfast menu was launched in 2014. You may be surprised to learn that as of a few years ago, 10% of their sales were actually made during breakfast hours. While hours can vary slightly by location, in most cases, Taco Bell breakfast hours are between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m.
The breakfast menu offers several different options to fill you up and get you ready to take on the rest of the day. From breakfast burritos, like the Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito or Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito, to quesadillas, Crunchwraps, Cinnabon Delights, and hash browns, you'll find something that will take care of your cravings. You can also order hot or iced coffee to take care of your morning caffeine needs.
10. Not considering the Cravings Value Menu when you're short on money
Taco Bell isn't an overly expensive fast food restaurant in the first place. However, if you're selective about what you order from the chain, you can keep your total even lower than you might expect. One of the best places to look when you want to save money is the Cravings Value Menu. The Cravings Value Menu offers eight different meal and snack options that are very reasonably priced — some cost as little as $1.
The items currently available on the Cravings Value Menu, from least to most expensive, include the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Cheesy Roll Up, Cinnamon Twists, Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito, Chipotle Ranch Grilled Chicken Burrito, Beefy Melt Burrito, Fiesta Veggie Burrito, and the Classic Combo. As you can see, there are lots of different options to match your cravings and hunger level. You could even purchase three, or sometimes four, items from the Cravings Value Menu and still walk away having spent less than $5. Where else are you going to find that type of deal?
11. Not ordering discounted Taco Bell gift cards
Taco Bell gift cards can make a great present for friends and family members who share your love for the restaurant. But why pay full price to buy a Taco Bell gift card when you can pick one up for below the card's face value? There are several sites that offer discounted Taco Bell gift cards. For example, at CardCash, you can purchase a $15 gift card for just $13.74. Gift Inventory has $5 Taco Bell gift cards available for $4.50, about a 10% savings.
In addition to helping you find the right gift for a friend or family member at a discounted rate, a Taco Bell gift card could also make the perfect gift to give yourself. Stock up on some gift cards, and you'll end up saving money each time you head to the restaurant. For example, if you grab 10 of the $5 gift cards from Gift Inventory for $4.50 each, you'll only end up spending $45 but will have $50 to spend at Taco Bell. That's an extra $5 that will stay in your pocket.
12. Throwing away your receipt
When you get your Taco Bell order, are you so focused on the delicious food awaiting you that you shove your receipt into the bag and throw it out with your trash? If so, you've been making a mistake. Taco Bell receipts include directions to complete a customer satisfaction survey and a unique code for your order. Visiting the survey website to Tell The Bell and taking a few minutes to provide your feedback will enter you into sweepstakes for the chance to win $500. A new winner is picked approximately once a month.
There's another reason you'll want to save your receipt, particularly if you didn't order online or through the app. Remember, you can scan your receipt to make sure that the points for your order are credited to your Taco Bell Rewards account. You wouldn't want to miss out on earning some yummy food for free, would you?
13. Throwing away your used sauce packets
Your receipt isn't the only thing you should keep out of the trash can when you order from Taco Bell. You also shouldn't throw away your used sauce packets. However, the reason for not throwing them out is a bit different. While saving your receipt could benefit you by helping you earn rewards points or helping you to win the $500 sweepstakes, keeping your sauce packets out of the trash can help our planet.
Taco Bell is working with TerraCycle — a recycling company dedicated to keeping as much waste out of landfills as possible — to collect and recycle used sauce packets. All you need to do is sign up with TerraCycle and bring your used sauce packets home. Place them in a recyclable container, such as a box, and once the box is filled up, print out the free shipping label to send them back to be recycled. It's that easy and won't cost you anything other than a few minutes of your time. Plus, you'll get the satisfaction of knowing that you're taking steps to protect the planet we all rely on.