Patrick Oconnell
The Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito, also known as the Chilito, was a popular menu item in the 1990s. It was a warm flour tortilla filled with beef chili, shredded cheddar cheese, and a special hot chili sauce. However, by the mid-1990s, it was removed from the national menu, with only a few locations continuing to serve it. Over the years, the burrito gained a cult following, with fans creating online maps to locate stores that still offered it. In 2024, the Chili Cheese Burrito made a comeback, reappearing on menus in select locations across the United States. Despite its popularity, some customers have expressed concerns about portion sizes and price increases, with some stores charging up to $3.99 for the item.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for removal | Low sales |
| Actual cause of low sales | Overpricing, hiding on the menu, lack of advertising |
| Current availability | Widely available in the Midwest, limited availability in other regions |
| Price | $2.59 |
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What You'll Learn
- Taco Bell removed the Chili Cheese Burrito from its national menu in the mid-1990s
- The decision to continue selling the burrito was left to individual franchisees
- The burrito is still available in select locations
- The price of the burrito has increased significantly since its introduction
- The burrito has a cult following, with fans creating online maps to locate stores that sell it
Taco Bell removed the Chili Cheese Burrito from its national menu in the mid-1990s
The Chili Cheese Burrito, also known as the Chilito, was a Taco Bell menu item in the 1990s. It was a burrito filled with cheddar cheese and a special hot chili sauce containing beef. The sauce was mixed with the beef beforehand, making it impossible to substitute chicken or steak for the beef. The Chilito was introduced in 1990 as part of the ¢59/79/99 budget menu.
By the mid-1990s, however, the burrito was removed from Taco Bell's national menu. There are several speculated reasons for its removal. One theory is that sales were low, and that Taco Bell intentionally made it less appealing to customers by hiding it on the menu, making it online-only, overpricing it, and never advertising it. Another theory is that the item contained too many ingredients that expired quickly, making it inconvenient for the restaurant to sell.
The Chili Cheese Burrito was not fully discontinued, however. Instead, it was left to franchisees to decide whether to continue carrying it, a decision usually based on its relative regional popularity. As a result, there are still a few locations that serve the burrito, mostly in the Midwest. Its cult following has even created an online map for locating stores that still sell the burrito.
In Fall 2024, the Chili Cheese Burrito was relaunched in some locations, including Virginia and Louisiana, though it does not appear to be available nationwide.
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The decision to continue selling the burrito was left to individual franchisees
The decision to continue selling the Chili Cheese Burrito was left to individual franchisees, and it is now available at select locations across the United States. The burrito, originally called the "Chilito", was introduced in 1990 as part of the budget menu. By the mid-1990s, it was removed from the national menu, but some locations kept it on their menu.
The burrito has a cult following, and its fans have created an online map to locate stores that still serve it. The Chili Cheese Burrito is widely available in the Midwest, but it is harder to find in other regions. For example, it is available at some locations in Michigan, Washington, Ohio, Virginia, and Louisiana. However, it is not available at all locations, and prices vary.
The burrito consists of a warm flour tortilla filled with savoury, spicy beef chili and shredded cheddar cheese. The cheese thickens the consistency of the runny chili, and the combination has been described as "messy, melty, [and] delicious".
Some customers have expressed frustration with the inconsistency in pricing and portion sizes across different locations. They attribute this to Taco Bell's strategy of overpricing items to eventually remove them from the menu due to low sales.
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The burrito is still available in select locations
The Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito, also known as the "Chilito", was removed from the national menu in the mid-1990s. However, the burrito was not fully discontinued, and it is still available in select locations.
The decision to keep the burrito on the menu was left to franchisees, based on its relative regional popularity. As a result, the burrito is now widely available throughout the Midwest, but has very limited availability in other regions of the United States.
In 2024, the Chili Cheese Burrito was spotted on menus in Virginia's Hampton Roads area, and some locations in Louisiana. However, it does not appear to be available nationwide. There are also a dozen locations in western Washington that serve it, and it is available in several locations in Michigan.
The burrito is a normal-sized flour tortilla filled with savoury, spicy beef chili and shredded cheddar cheese. It has a slight spicy kick to it, and the cheese thickens the consistency of the runny chili. It is a messy, melty, and delicious creation that has a cult following, with fans creating an online map to locate stores that still serve the burrito.
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The price of the burrito has increased significantly since its introduction
The price of the Chili Cheese Burrito, also known as the Chilito, has increased significantly since its introduction in the 1990s. Originally, the burrito was priced at 59, 79, or 99 cents as part of a budget menu. However, over time, the price has gradually increased. For example, one customer in Greenville, NC, reported that the burrito was $1.79, while another customer in NE Ohio encountered a price of $3.99. The varying prices of the burrito may be due to regional differences or inflation over time.
The increase in price has led to some customers feeling that the burrito is no longer a good value proposition. Some have expressed disappointment at the small portion size and have compared it to other items on the Taco Bell menu that offer more for the same price. The perception of value for money is further impacted by inconsistencies in the preparation of the burrito, with some customers reporting receiving a burrito that is poorly assembled or lacking in fillings.
The price increase of the Chili Cheese Burrito may be a contributing factor to its decline in popularity and subsequent removal from the national menu in the mid-1990s. Despite this, the burrito has maintained a cult following, with some customers seeking out locations that still offer it. The availability of the burrito varies across different states, with a higher concentration of locations in the Midwest.
While the price of the Chili Cheese Burrito has increased significantly since its introduction, it is important to note that the cost of ingredients and overhead expenses have also likely risen over time. Taco Bell may have adjusted the pricing of the burrito to maintain profitability or to reflect the increased value of the product compared to when it was first introduced.
In conclusion, the price of the Chili Cheese Burrito has undergone a significant increase since its initial launch in the 1990s. This price hike has sparked mixed reactions from customers, with some feeling that the burrito no longer represents a good value proposition. However, it is important to consider the changing economic landscape and the potential impact of inflation on the pricing of menu items.
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The burrito has a cult following, with fans creating online maps to locate stores that sell it
The Taco Bell Chili Cheese Burrito, or "Chilito", has a cult following, with fans creating online maps to locate stores that sell it. Originally introduced in 1990 as part of the ¢59/79/99 budget menu, the burrito was removed from Taco Bell's national menu in the mid-1990s. However, it continued to be available at select restaurants, with franchisees deciding whether to carry it based on its regional popularity. This has led to a dedicated fanbase, with people creating online maps and websites to help others find locations that still serve the burrito.
The burrito consists of a warm flour tortilla filled with savoury beef chilli and shredded cheddar cheese. It has a slight spicy kick, with a hint of cumin and chilli powder. The runny chilli is thickened by the cheese, creating a messy but delicious combination. The burrito's price has increased over the years, with some customers complaining about the value for money.
The cult following of the Chili Cheese Burrito is evident in the numerous articles, fan recipes, and a petition to bring it back nationally. Fans have also taken to Reddit to express their love for the burrito and their disappointment when it is not available at their local Taco Bell. The burrito's limited availability has created a sense of excitement and nostalgia among its fans, with some driving long distances to get their hands on it.
The Chili Cheese Burrito has become a rare and beloved item on Taco Bell's menu, with its availability varying across the United States. While it may not be available at all locations, fans can use the online maps and resources created by the dedicated fanbase to track down this cult favourite. The return of the Chili Cheese Burrito to some menus has sparked excitement among fans, who are eager to get their hands on this nostalgic treat.
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Frequently asked questions
The chili cheese burrito was removed from Taco Bell's national menu in the mid-1990s, but it was not fully discontinued. The decision to continue carrying it was left to franchisees, usually based on its regional popularity.
Yes, the chili cheese burrito is still available at select Taco Bell locations, primarily in the Midwest.
There may be a few reasons for this. Firstly, the decision to carry the item was left to franchisees, so it depends on their assessment of regional popularity. Secondly, Taco Bell may have wanted to create a sense of exclusivity and generate buzz. Finally, they may have wanted to reduce overhead by limiting the number of ingredients used across their menu offerings.
The price varies by location, but it typically ranges from $1.79 to $3.99. The increase in price over time may be due to inflation.
The chili cheese burrito consists of a warm flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef chili, shredded cheddar cheese, and a special hot chili sauce containing beef. The consistency of the chili is described as runny, while the cheese is thick and melty.
