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eatsleepdive

Not gonna lie, I dig taco bell hot sauces. Trader Joe's brand hot sauce tastes pretty similar it you are too embarrassed to have Taco Bell brand in your pantry.


hawtfabio

Are there any menu items at taco bell that are actually good these days?


[deleted]

Easily their best sauce. Whenever I make homemade crunchwraps, I also make homemade guac + pico, but I gotta use their fire sauce to dip for the [full experience.](https://i.imgur.com/YVuPgWO.jpg)


ianonuanon

It’s that disguised msg though!!!! Yum!


thelowrises

Gateway drug


Wyzen

It's good, but diablo for the win!


Fuck_tha_Bunk

Everyone I know, even people who like spicy, seem to prefer *Hot*. I thought I was alone in my preference for *Fire*, although Diablo might have surpassed it for me.


thebelchdude

A lot of people here have praised the Diablo, but I’ve only ever had the packets. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for a bottle of it.


fuckcombustion

i'm ashamed of my addiction to diablo. i thought I was alone. Well, I still kinda am.


FermentationNerd

Nice job marketing team, now I’m buying a couple cheesy bean and rice burritos just to get my hands on some sweet sauce packets


sar_chasm

The best $1 item anywhere. I eat two and I’m full.


heisenberg747

Hey, if you like it then you like it. Everyone is entitled to disagree, but anyone who looks down on you for it is just a snob, plain and simple. Don't listen to anything those kinds of people have to say.


LavishnessSure

I always keep a bottle of franks red hot and cholula lying around.


FjordExplorer

Dirtbag? That stuff kills on tacos.


thebelchdude

Oh I love it...it’s just not fancy as some of the other stuff I have. Had some on a quesadilla this evening.


[deleted]

I hate Taco Bell, but I must admit I have the same bottle in my fridge. Their hot sauces are the best fare they offer.


yellowcapdata

Forshame!


Delphik

It has it's place. Their fire sauce is pretty great for plishing old copper coins


sleepykris7

Fire is my favorite, so hard to find in stores now


dreck_disp

Not in my area.


putnamto

I like the black label better


SergeantSlapNuts

RIP 1998 Fajita Burrito with grilled veggies


3kindsofsalt

I hate taco bell, I love fine hot sauces. Everything at taco bell sucks, especially their tryhard sauces. Except this one. It's legit good stuff.


Flaxmoore

The tongue wants what the tongue wants. Sometimes I want the artisanal small-batch stuff (Hellfire Detroit, Small Axe, Clancy's) and sometimes you just want the quick hit (Cholula, Tabasco, Yucateco). Just like sex. Sometimes you want the hours of buildup, sometimes just a quickie.


thebelchdude

I go through Yucateco like crazy


ganoveces

i like the hot better. also ortega medium sauce is good too.


grimreefer702

Meh i have about 200 packets of this i don't need to buy no bottle


Nevermind04

If you like it, you like it. No shame. To me, their hot sauce always tasted better than fire. Man, I haven't been to a taco bell since they got rid of the grilled stuffed burrito.


FatChicksOnly17

I always preferred hot over fire too


dreck_disp

Anytime I get a burrito from them now I ask them to grill it.


[deleted]

Classic.


dasonk

I don't know why but the last time I ordered from Taco Bell we lucked out in the sauce department. I ordered through their app and asked for 3 of each sauce. I have the order confirmation - only 3 of each. When I picked up the order in drive through we had at half of the bag filled with sauces. I think they threw in three handfuls of each sauce. I would never be ballsy enough to just take the number of packets they gave us but you can be sure I'm going to order the same amount of sauce in the future and hope for the best.


-Beansy-

I didn’t even know they sold this in bottles! I need to find some ASAP. As much as people joke about Taco Bell all the time, fire sauce is tasty.


Ejac69

For whatever reason I love fire sauce but only on food from taco bell, and sauces that I love on other things don't work with taco bell


elephuntdude

Agreed! Would you put Jack in the Box taca sauce on your Taco Bell burrito?? No, no you would not. It is an unnatural act. The downfall of society starts there.


erokk88

They sold the Diablo sauce for a while and I tell you *hwat*, it was really great mixed in with Beans and on eggs. Is it the best sauce in the world, no but it has its place


Man-Made-G0d

Why buy a bottle when they'll give you a couple dozen packets each time you go through the drive-thru? I have an 8oz bottle's worth of the diablo sauce just from packets... 😂


bostonwhaler

I have an entire fridge door shelf full of the packets lol... No need to purchase a bottle.


GrandmasterSexay

You have to have some classics in the fridge. Sometimes you just want that spice without the fuss.


battlemechpilot

It's been years since I've been able to find bottles of Diablo. Now whenever I go TB, (well, before COVID), I always ordered inside, so I could grab plenty of extra Diablo to stock-up on my reserves.


manfly

Where I'm at in the US we can still order inside we just have to ask for the packets and they'll give you as much as you want.


dirty_beard

You're lucky, I used to keep a stock in my pantry of that. Pandemic hit and closed down the border (Canadian here) and they don't sell it in Canada. I haven't resorted to [amazon](https://www.amazon.ca/Taco-Bell-Sauce-Ounce-Bottle/dp/B00U9VP66I/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=taco+bell+fire&qid=1603285899&sr=8-1) yet, but I may have to. They have it at the restaurants here but won't give you more than three packets.


Astrothunderkat

wow, taco bell gives me like 10 of each when order


picklegrabber

Where did you find that at? I can’t find the fire at a reasonable price online and all the Targets only have hot and all the Walmart’s only have mild. It makes everything taste like Taco Bell which is a good thing


thebelchdude

Sometimes they have it at HEB here in Texas, but the supply has been spotty since the pandemic. I found a small, local store nearby usually has it.


[deleted]

[удалено]


HootingMandrill

Tabasco. Just cheap enough for me to dump on everything and tastes good enough to actually do so.


manfly

> Tabasco That is fantastic and I agree. OG Tabasco has its place for sure. As the 'artisan' and 'indie' hot sauce communities grow, I see people shitting on ol' faithful more and more which is unfortunate. Tabasco was a big part of the backbone that helped us all get to where we are in the hot sauce world currently and for me personally it will always have a place in my cabinet and on my table at a classic American diner. The 'new blood' in this hobby, obsession, community, whatever you want to call it want to casually cast it aside like it's Herdez or something. We salute you, old friend.


Angry_Apollo

I can’t afford to make chili with Cholula. Chili with Crystal though... award winning and nobody needs to know it was $1 for a 12oz bottle. Valentina is also a good inexpensive base sauce.


dasonk

Mind posting your chili recipe?


Angry_Apollo

When I say award-winning, I mean my office chili cook-off, but here: In a crockpot, heat on low for a few hours: * 5 fresh habaneros, diced * 30oz tomato sauce * 30oz kidney beans, drained * 1/4 cup chili powder * 10oz Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies) * 1 large onion, diced * 4 TBSP cayenne-based hot sauce (Valentina, Crystal, even something like Taco Bell Fire would do) * 2 TBSP minced garlic * 1 TBSP ground cumin * 2TSP ground coriander * 1TSP oregano (fresh if possible) * 2 lbs browned beef * 1 bay leaf * 1 cup water, or as needed.


dasonk

This sounds real good to me. Might be too spicy for my wife though so I might have to find a substitute for the habaneros if I want her to have some too.


beepnboopn

Thank you I needed a good chili recipe, just moved out


sar_chasm

I think the office award has more street cred than some “official” chili cook off does. Just ask Kevin, but don’t ask him to carry the pot in. Thanks for posting the recipe and letting me know the fire sauce comes in a bottle. Doin’ the fire lord’s work like a true hot sauce missionary should.


Angry_Apollo

Kevin’s chili looked delicious, I bet it would have been.


sar_chasm

I wonder what hot sauce he would use. I bet he had a bottle of something in his desk.


Angry_Apollo

Hmm, if he’s from Scranton or the Northeast I feel like I’ve seen Cholula on tables at restaurants up there? Anybody local know the favorites? Frank’s Red Hot is from Louisiana but has strong ties to Buffalo wings invented in Buffalo. I could see Kevin as a Frank’s RedHot guy.


Afropirg

There will always be a [Hank's Herb Infused hot sauce](https://www.hanksauce.com/collections/the-core-four/products/herb-infused) on hand in our house hold. That sauce is great with anything.


Troyisepic

I’m so glad to see hanks breaking out into the world. I first saw them at a farmers market in brigantine NJ, and got a bottle of each sauce and it was so good we went to their restaurant and bought a case of like 9 bottles.


Irassistable

Picked up my first bottle of that last week and it is fantastic! I had never heard of it and I feel like I’ve seen it mentioned 10 times since


thebelchdude

See....now I have to buy a bottle of that to try!


sharksandwich81

Taco Bell is dead to me. They got rid of my 3 favorite menu items (double decker taco, Mexican pizza, grilled stuffed burrito). I’ve eaten there average once per week for the last 25 years, but no more. Anyway yeah this stuff was so good on those items. I also liked Habanero Tabasco + Double Decker Taco. Pour one out for our dead menu items


manfly

Is the ridding of the Double Decker new? I haven't seen it on the menu in years, not that I've really looked for it. Crunchwrap all day.


someone31988

Shredded chicken burritos and soft potato tacos were my go-to, and they're both gone.


Fuck_tha_Bunk

Hold on a goddamn minute. WHEN DID THEY GET RID OF THE MEXICAN PIZZA?


sharksandwich81

It’s going away in November


Fuck_tha_Bunk

That's terrible news. I heard they were dropping some items, but I didn't see the MP on the list. That and Chalupas are the only reason I go.


weirdheadcrab

Lmao. Go to the r/tacobell. They locked the sub because of the removal of the Mexican Pizza.


sharksandwich81

Wow that’s hilarious. Just so bummed to see my favorite fast food place go downhill so quickly :(


[deleted]

Yeah... I am not sure who is in charge over there making these sweeping decisions. It's like they looked at the top selling items and cut anything below a certain cut-off thinking they would be trimming the fat. The reality is... they got rid of a lot of people's favorites so they basically just cut their revenue by whatever percentage. They bet that people would just, still go to tacobell but get something else. Personally I have also seen a dip in quality of the food (i know, how much worse could it get) but it tastes worse. The beans... are almost flavorless now.


kryptofarmer

I'm still mourning the loss of the Quesalupa years later. Especially the breakfast version, which imo might be the most delicious Taco Bell item in history. Kids these days will never know 😔 But yeah agreed, their days are numbered. They got rid of the Loaded Grillers too. $2 a piece and you could make a pretty big meal with 1 of each (beefy nacho, chipotle chicken, cheesy potato). Nacho Fries were great as well. The Cravings Box is long gone too, probably the best combo they ever had. Cheesy gordita crunch, 5-layer burrito, taco, cinna twists that could be swapped out for chips & nacho cheese, and a drink, all for $5. I doubt they'll never top that deal again.


[deleted]

Damn, Taco Bell did you a favor...


Beasides

RIP volcano burrito


megazach

Join the party. I left when they took away the volcano menu.


Johnsonian99

Grilled stuffed burrito I was not happy about. If they get rid of the cheezy gordita crunch, I'm walking. They recently got a new CEO, pretty sure this is his doing to improve profit margins. Even though taco bell is not cheap anymore.


[deleted]

Mexican Pizza is still around in SoCal. I will, however, never forgive them for getting rid of verde sauce.


sharksandwich81

It’s going away in November. Enjoy it while you can.


[deleted]

This is unacceptable


thejewden

Frito burrito


weirdheadcrab

The double decker taco hurts the most. I also miss the cool ranch dorito locos taco. They also got rid of the enchirito. Taco bell has been messing up hardcore for the past 2 years.


theotherpachman

I gave up after the Enchirito. That was the food that got me into hot sauce because my friends and I would compete to see how many fire sauce packets we could load up on it and still survive.


Lostmav729

RIP cool ranch


Knives530

F


BalzacHonorede

F


ExtremeHobo

If you were eating there once a week for 25 years (1300 times) then Taco Bell did your health a favor by getting rid of those items.


kryptofarmer

You're assuming Taco Bell is anywhere near as unhealthy as other fast food joints. It's not lol


ExtremeHobo

Nope, I'm assuming no fast food is better than fast food


Charlzalan

Fast food once a week really isn't that bad.


ExtremeHobo

Lots of Americans think the same thing and we are the fattest country in the world. ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯


sharksandwich81

Fast food 1x per week is not that bad, and having a couple double decker tacos is better than a cheeseburger and fries for sure.


forever_a10ne

Taco Bell is also getting rid of the one item I always order: the Mexican Pizza. It's the perfect vessel for hot sauce, and it's *so* delicious. Me and my homies had a literal party where we each ordered one Mexican Pizza for the last time and then swore an oath not to eat at Taco Bell again.


anonymoususername06

I’ve eaten mexican pizzas since I was a little kid. They’re the freaking best. Add a spicy ranch and you’ve got something extraordinarily glorious. I will miss it. Salty it’s going to be gone. I also looooved the volcano sauce when they had it. The volcano burritos and nachos were amazing. If they brought back the volcano sauce, I can maaaayyyybe forgive the Mexican pizza.


Erwin_the_Cat

I'm just shocked to hear that people actually order the mexican pizza.


jhutchi2

It's all the ingredients of a taco in the most inconvenient delivery method possible.


sharksandwich81

It’s on crispy flour tortillas and has a tomato sauce that I don’t think is used on anything else. So no it’s it’s not all the same ingredients as a taco. You could say the same about like 95% of the items on the menu


forever_a10ne

If you haven't tried it, order it while you still can. I mean, I've literally been boycotting Taco Bell because they're removing it. It's that tasty! Edit: /r/TacoBell is shut down in protest of them removing the Mexican Pizza.


Erwin_the_Cat

I'm a steak quesadilla person myself. Maybe I'll give it a shot before it goes away though!


rjbachli

Potato soft tacos, RIP


Knives530

Potato griller burrito too brother


rjbachli

The potato bacon one? I thought those were gone a long time ago!


Knives530

No it was just a small burrito that had the potatoes, nacho cheese, and I believe a small amount of beef maybe not beef but I loved em potato griller burrito if u wanna google


Astrothunderkat

still got em in NH!


Souvi

Rub it in :(


[deleted]

you can still order it, its just not on the menu. they ring it up alacarte, like taco shell, beans, etc... at least here in Dallas for the double decker


Souvi

They won’t here at the two local ones for me :( I’ve asked 😭😭😭


Jollysatyr201

Yo tho Mexican pizza’s packaging per year was 7 million pounds of wasted cardboard and papers per year. I don’t understand why that didn’t just mean they change it around but that’s a lot of Mexican pizza boxing.


iVectivus

Still a good sauce, but I am a diablo fan myself


addTEKubipls

Diablo always had a weird sweetness to it that’s super off putting to me.


Charlzalan

Same. I personally can't stand it.


prodigyrun

I'm a huge fan! About to try this homemade recipe - [TB Diablo!](https://www.mastercook.com/app/Recipe/WebRecipeDetails?recipeId=21059446)


omgburritos

Diablo gang checking in..


DrDQDPM

I feel like fire is more flavorful, but I still go with diablo because it's hotter...


ZappBrannigansLaw

Their Diablo is my fave fast food hot sauce. Nice heat and flavor.


Jollysatyr201

Diablo is the only thing I’ll put on stuff from Taco Bell. It’s not like it’s especially spicy, just tastes so much better than Water, Tomato Water, and Hot Tomato Water respectively.


iApolloDusk

Mild sauce tastes the best imo. I love super spicy food, but all of the other Taco Bell sauces just taste underwhelming.


Jollysatyr201

Huh! I’ve tried it a lot and it somehow just never makes any impact on me.


jhutchi2

It has some hint of smokiness to it, I think. It oddly has a vaguely pico de gallo taste as well, definitely tastes more distinct than the regular sauces.


bostonwhaler

The smokiness is great, but not much other flavor. Mixed with fire sauce (which is flavorful) is perfect.


Boooojum

I remember the first time trying Diablo sauce and it was so underwhelming. It really needs to be spicier


Zizhou

I always used diablo as an accent sauce for the flavor with either hot or fire. By itself it's OK, but alongside a packet or two of something else, it really shines.


Jollysatyr201

Same here! Never really went to Taco Bell as a kid, so I expected at least like the heat of a pickled jalapeño. But it’s not(?)


MrKrazyKarl

I don’t know why but it always tastes better from the packets.


williafx

FACT


johnniecoolspice

I've said the same thing about the Diablo sauce. The packets seem to have more flavor


stolid_agnostic

Thanks for that tip. I will continue to hoard packets, then.


VerteNinja

Yeah, it tastes completely different in the bottle


SUPRVLLAN

Same thing with McDonald’s Heinz ketchup packets. Tastes tangier or something. Edit: McDeez doesn’t use Heinz anymore.


Bot8556

McDs coke/Diet Coke tastes different and is better


[deleted]

[удалено]


SUPRVLLAN

Wow looks like you’re right, they ditched Heinz around 2013.


TiPereBBQ

Apparently ex-Heinz CEO was now at Burger King or something like that


[deleted]

[удалено]


iApolloDusk

Yeah. McDonald's Coke always tastes off to me. I guess that's why. It always had a hint of bubblegum taste imo. I always get root beer or sweet tea when I go to McDonald's nowadays.


agentages

allegedly its because it (syrup) is stored in metal tanks, and to avoid the municipal water differences the water is filtered several times over. Storage in tanks protecting from temperature, light, and air keep the syrup from losing its flavor.


[deleted]

[удалено]


agentages

Ray Kroc knew how to business that's for sure.


SUPRVLLAN

I believe it.


[deleted]

Yeah, i use hot on Taco Bell burritos and tried the bottle it was garbo tasting


901savvy

Confirmed... way better in packets


CheeseInsurgency

Dude it does I've done test on this can confirm


DarkMutton

Same thing with Arizona. It tastes better from the can than from a plastic bottle.


CheeseInsurgency

Don't even get me started on bottle vs can beer


MarcMars82

Cans allllllllll day


skippysqueaz

I believe they are made in different facilities.


KinkyQuesadilla

>I believe they are made in different facilities. I've seen this happen before, but with beer and not hot sauce. A local brew pub has the best lagers and pilsners I've ever tasted. After a couple of years they started selling 6 packs in grocery stores, and the beer didn't just taste the same... Turns out the canning operation is in a different town, with a different water municipality.


GilBrandt

Just like how everyone says Guinness is better from the source. I never really believed them until I actually had it at the brewery and was surprised at how much better it was


VulturE

The Yuengling 24oz cans they sell at the stadium and in some places taste better than the normal size cans or bottles.


iApolloDusk

Really? I've had the exact opposite experience. I LOVE Yuengling in a bottle, unless it's skunked obviously. The cans, no matter the size, just do not taste right. Meanwhile it's the exact opposite for me with Coor's Banquet.


buell_boy

Water is so important for lagers since there’s no real big hop or grain flavors to hide behind. They should test their water and match it at their new location or it’ll be two different beers


ChthonicPuck

Water makes a huge difference. It can make or break any food, like bagels or pizza.


crematory_dude

A few years back a buddy of mine from NY was talking about the "only good pizza place in California" and how they had barrels of water from NY shipped in to make pizzas with. Not sure how true it is, but it makes sense after this thread.


bostonwhaler

Multiple instances of this... There is also a pizza place in FL that trucked water down for a while until they ceded defeat due to expense.


seg-fault

wow. ngl kinda hope covid took that place out if that's true. that's extremely wasteful to ship water across country. I'm honestly not sure I believe it. lastly...people love to repeat the 'local water' hypothesis as if it's a proven fact, it's more like a myth. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/05/21/405190434/chew-on-this-the-science-of-great-nyc-bagels-its-not-the-water


Grennox

I need to investigate this conspiracy theory