Dear Taco Bell,
I’m writing to you as a concerned patron.
We all know the trials that 2020 has brought with it. It’s been a hard year for all of us.
In the midst of the difficult beginning months, I had a small ray of light. I was recommended the triple-layer nachos from your fast-food chain.
Let’s first travel back a few decades, back to the 90s. I grew in a pro-Taco Bell family, especially when it comes to my Dad. He’s never been much of a cook, so that meant when Mom was gone and he was our dinner provider, we often got to hop into the truck and take a quick stroll to the brightly colored Taco Bell in our town. (In fact, many years before, my grandmother would do the same to meet her two sisters at our local Taco Bell for a meal.) On these fast-food trips, I would spend much of the drive deciding which combo I would eat. Ok, so I was pretty boring and usually stuck to 1 crunchy taco and 1 bean burrito. Cheap, predictable and delicious. Even when I got my wisdom teeth out as a teenager, I relied on the side of beans and cheese to fill me up without requiring me to chew.
Fast forward about 10 years and into my college dorm room. I had a friend, a few doors down, who loved “T Bell” and would convince my roommate and me to take late-night treks to grab a bean burrito. Well, that was my order. Not sure what everyone else got.
And then for a period of 5-7 years, I didn’t eat Taco Bell. I convinced myself that I could live without it or maybe even that it made my stomach hurt (ghastly, I know!).
Until about a year or two ago, when I was reintroduced to Taco Bell — the comforting bean burritos, crisp lettuce shreds on the crunchy taco and the velvety cheese on the cheesy bean and rice burrito. They were officially back in my life and my good graces. Although I was surprised by the slight increase in price of some of my favorites, I understood that times have changed.
And then a few months ago, I heard from my sister about the triple-layer nachos. A perfectly sized bed of crisp triangular chips, topped with that velvety cheese dip, smooth refried beans and that slightly spicy (but more so chili powder spiced) red sauce. And at 99 cents, I couldn’t resist this side. And it was just as tasty as I had imagined: a small but powerful nacho pack that paired wonderfully with my burrito and taco combo!
And now we’re in the current time. 2020 is moving along with its many upheavals and unpredictabilities, bringing with it an announcement that Taco Bell is changing its menu. And so goes the triple-layer nachos with it.
Although I have until August 13 to enjoy this newly-found treat, I will certainly be missing it after it expires. (Also, many of my loved ones feel the same about the beefy Frito burrito.)
So, this is my plea. With all that 2020 has thrown at us, do we really need this, too? Taco Bell, must you take this and other beloved Tex-Mex snacks off the menu?
Sincerely,
A concerned eater