Taco Bell is bringing back 5 discontinued menu items from the last 50 years

Despite Taco Bell's already extensive menu – which seems to be constantly growing with new items and menu tests – there will always be discontinued favorites that fans just can't let go of. We'll always fondly remember the double chalupa and the waffle taco, while secretly hoping that one day Taco Bell will appease us and bring them back.

And hey, it's not that The wild thought. Taco Bell has been known to bring back beloved products with enough begging—and we're not just talking about Mexican pizza.

Now, Taco Bell is digging into its cache of discontinued items to bring back five nostalgic menu items from the last 50 years. The five recurring items have all been hits in one of the five decades since the Tex-Mex chain was founded in the 1960s.

Taco Bell is testing a nostalgic menu with 5 discontinued items

The nostalgic Decades menu includes Tostada, Green Burrito, Meximelt, Beef Gordita Supreme and Caramel Apple Empanada.

When the fast food chain first opened its doors in 1962, Taco Bell's tostada was one of the classics on the menu. Topped with refried beans, red sauce, lettuce, and shredded cheese, the crispy tostada shell enjoyed popularity for years until Taco Bell disbanded it in 2020.

The green burrito – filled with refried beans, crunchy onions, cheddar cheese and a spicy green sauce made from green chiles, tomatillos, jalapeños and spices – was popular in the 1970s. Customers have been trying to recreate the Green Burrito with existing menu items for years, but it wasn't the same without the special green sauce. Now the burrito is returning to restaurants, and it comes with green sauce too.

Taco Bell's Meximelt was an '80s icon, made with pico de gallo, a three-cheese blend, and seasoned beef in a tortilla. It was on the menu for almost 30 years but hasn't been seen since around 2018.

Before the Cheesy Gordita Crunch became a staple on the Taco Bell menu, '90s kids had the Beef Gordita Supreme. The favorite started with a warm flatbread filled with seasoned beef, sour cream, lettuce, a three-cheese blend and tomatoes.

To round out the nostalgic menu, Taco Bell is bringing back a '00s dessert. The Caramel Apple Empanada, which was a crispy fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar and filled with apples and creamy caramel filling, is making a triumphant comeback after being discontinued in 2019.

Taco Bell tested the Decades Menu in California this summer and the customers spoke. They wanted the retro menu to be available nationwide, and now it will be. Starting October 31, Tostada, Green Sauce Burrito, Meximelt and Gordita Supreme will be added to Taco Bell menus for a limited time. Then, on November 21st, the Caramel Apple Empanada will be available for a limited time.

To celebrate the launch, Taco Bell is also releasing retro-inspired decade merch. Taco Bell fans can snag limited-edition stainless steel Decades hoodies and Decades mugs featuring five designs inspired by the last 50 years of Taco Bell. On October 29th at 5:00 pm EST, the first 500 participating Taco Bell Rewards members will receive a hoodie and mug. If you miss the first drop, you'll have a chance to win the merchandise again by taking Taco Bell's weekly Decades quiz in the Taco Bell app.

However, if you miss out on the merch completely, don't worry! Taco Bell is giving away plastic versions of the Stainless Steel Decades Cups at its restaurants. If you order a medium drink, you'll receive it in a randomly selected anniversary cup, while supplies last.

Thank you, Taco Bell, for holding up your end of the deal! Now if we could get the Double Decker Taco back permanently, we would be even more thrilled.