Taco Bell serves up Y2K nostalgia with the return of fan-favorite classics
A Y2K Comeback: Taco Bell Brings Back Cool Ranch, Double Decker & More. Credit : Taco Bell
The early 2000s were defined by pop culture quirks — Razor scooters on sidewalks, Juicy Couture sweatsuits, the screech of AOL dial-up, and Taco Bell’s cheesy, overstuffed menu staples. Now, the fast-food giant is tapping into that nostalgia with the launch of its Decades Y2K Menu, bringing back five fan-favorite items from the era for a limited time starting Tuesday, Sept. 9.
At the center of the comeback is the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco, last seen in 2019. Wrapped in a shell made from the iconic blue-bagged chips and stuffed with seasoned beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese, the cult classic returns at $2.49.
Another major comeback is the Double Decker Taco, which first appeared in 1995 and became a permanent menu item in 2006 before its retirement in 2019. The indulgent mashup combines a crunchy taco filled with beef, lettuce, and cheese, wrapped inside a bean-slathered soft tortilla — also priced at $2.49.
Vegetarians haven’t been left out. The legendary 7-Layer Burrito, originally launched in 1993 and discontinued in 2020, will once again be available. Inspired by the layers of a classic dip, the meatless burrito stacks beans, rice, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, guacamole, and sour cream for $2.49.
For those who crave old-school simplicity, the Chili Cheese Burrito is back. Known as the “Chilito” in its 1990 debut, this wrap disappeared from most locations by the mid-’90s, though it lingered in select Midwest franchises. Now it’s returning nationwide, filled with nothing more than chili and gooey cheese, priced at $2.99.
Rounding out the menu is the Caramel Apple Empanada, a dessert that first appeared in the 2000s and exited in 2019. The pastry wraps warm apples and caramel sauce in a golden crust, offering a sweet finish to the throwback lineup.
The Decades Y2K Menu follows last year’s “Decades Menu,” which reintroduced retired items from each decade spanning the 1960s to the 2000s. To add to the nostalgia, Taco Bell is also launching a line of Y2K-inspired merchandise, including a bedazzled Ed Hardy hat and neon accessories, available in limited September drops for rewards members.
For longtime fans, it’s more than a menu — it’s a full-on time machine.