Taco Bell’s ‘Decades Y2K’ Menu Returns This Fall With 5 Nostalgic Fan Favorites

By FastInfo Food Desk | August 28, 2025

Nostalgia Meets Flavor

Every generation has its comfort foods—the iconic flavors that remind us of simpler times, late-night cravings, or that one road trip with friends where the drive-thru was the real destination. For millennials and Gen Z, Taco Bell has always been at the center of that cultural map.

And now, in 2025, the fast-food giant is leaning hard into our collective nostalgia. The Taco Bell “Decades Y2K” Menu is officially landing nationwide this fall, and it’s bringing back some of the most beloved discontinued items from the 1990s and early 2000s.

That’s right—the Double Decker Taco, the 7-Layer Burrito, and even the gooey Caramel Apple Empanada are making a triumphant comeback. And they’re doing it at prices that nod to the past, giving fans a taste of yesterday without breaking today’s wallet.

If you’ve ever scrolled through Reddit threads begging Taco Bell to bring back these classics, this menu is proof that the company was listening.

Why the Y2K Comeback Now?

Nostalgia isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement. In fashion, we’re seeing low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits resurface. In entertainment, the box office is buzzing with Freaky Friday spinoffs and early-2000s reboots. In music, stars like Lady Gaga are back on tour, filling arenas with Y2K energy.

So it only makes sense that Taco Bell—a brand built on innovation, pop culture, and fun—would ride the wave.

According to a Taco Bell spokesperson:

“These items represent some of the most-requested and beloved menu items from the nineties and early 2000s. Fan demand and continued online buzz helped determine the final five, and we’re excited to see how fans respond to these epic comebacks.”

In other words, this isn’t just about food. It’s about reconnecting with memories, honoring fan demand, and giving younger generations a chance to taste what made Taco Bell such a cultural phenomenon in the first place.

When Does the Taco Bell Y2K Menu Launch?

Circle the date: September 9, 2025.

That’s when Taco Bell will officially roll out the Decades Y2K Menu nationwide. But remember—this is a limited-time offer. Just like the fleeting joys of a summer mixtape or a Friday night at Blockbuster, these items won’t last forever.

What’s On the Taco Bell Decades Y2K Menu?

Let’s dig into the five stars of this nostalgic lineup. Each one carries its own story, its own fanbase, and its own bite of history.

1. The Chili Cheese Burrito ($2.99)

First introduced in 1990, this hearty wrap became an instant hit. Stuffed with seasoned beef, gooey cheese, and zesty chili, it was marketed with a kitschy jingle and Wild West-style commercials.

Though Taco Bell quietly changed its name at one point (due to its original nickname sparking mild controversy), the Chili Cheese Burrito has remained one of the chain’s most “passionately pursued” menu items. Fans have literally formed online petitions to bring it back.

At its debut, it sold for just 89 cents—roughly $2.25 when adjusted for inflation. Today, it returns at $2.99, still making it one of the best cheap eats in fast food.

2. The 7-Layer Burrito ($2.99)

Launched in 1993, the 7-Layer Burrito quickly became a cult favorite, especially among vegetarian Taco Bell fans.

Layer by layer, it was a masterpiece:

Refried beans

Rice

Sour cream

Guacamole

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Shredded cheese

For nearly three decades, it served as the gold standard for meat-free customization at Taco Bell. When it was discontinued in 2020, the internet didn’t just complain—it mourned. Fans on Twitter and TikTok begged for its return.

Now, it’s back. And at under $3, it’s one of the most filling options you’ll find on any fast-food menu today.

3. The Double Decker Taco ($2.49)

Why choose between a hard taco and a soft taco when you can have both? That was the genius of the Double Decker Taco, first released in 1995.

This hybrid icon featured a crispy taco shell wrapped in a soft tortilla, sealed together with a layer of refried beans. It delivered crunch and chew in the same bite—a true textural masterpiece.

It also had one of the most memorable ad campaigns in Taco Bell history. In the late 1990s, none other than Shaquille O’Neal starred in commercials hyping it up.

Although it reappeared in 2006 for a longer run, it vanished again, leaving fans clamoring. Now, for the Y2K menu, it’s officially back in the spotlight.

4. Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos ($2.49)

When Taco Bell and Doritos teamed up in 2012, they changed the drive-thru game forever. The Nacho Cheese Doritos Locos Taco became an instant legend, sparking multiple spin-offs.

But the Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco? That was the fan-favorite sibling. Its unique tangy, zesty shell offered a flavor profile unlike anything else on the menu.

Fans were devastated when it disappeared in 2019. A fan vote in 2023 even teased its return, proving how much demand still existed.

Now, after six years in the vault, it’s back—and it tastes just as epic as you remember.

5. The Caramel Apple Empanada ($2.99)

Not every fast-food legend is savory. The Caramel Apple Empanada—a warm, fried pastry stuffed with cinnamon apples and caramel filling—was Taco Bell’s dessert darling of the early 2000s.

It briefly resurfaced in 2024, but its short run only whetted fan appetites. Now, it’s back as part of the Y2K celebration, offering the perfect sweet finish to your nostalgic meal.

What About Pricing?

Here’s the breakdown of the Y2K Menu pricing (2025):

Chili Cheese Burrito – $2.99

7-Layer Burrito – $2.99

Double Decker Taco – $2.49

Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco – $2.49

Caramel Apple Empanada – $2.99

While these prices are higher than their original 90s/2000s tags, Taco Bell has kept them surprisingly affordable. Adjusted for inflation, they’re remarkably close to their original values, making them throwback-priced classics in today’s fast-food economy.

🎉 The $9 Discovery Luxe Box

Taco Bell is also introducing the Discovery Luxe Box, a throwback-themed value meal for just $9.

It includes:

1 Crunchwrap Supreme

2 Tacos

Chips & Nacho Cheese Sauce

1 Medium Drink

This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Crunchwrap, making the box a celebration of both nostalgia and staying power.

Fan Reaction: The Internet Is Buzzing

As soon as Taco Bell confirmed the menu, fans erupted across social media.

Twitter/X: “Double Decker Taco is back??? My childhood is healed.”

Reddit: “This is proof that manifesting works. Chili Cheese Burrito Hive, we did it.”

TikTok: Countless videos of people taste-testing the Caramel Apple Empanada are already going viral.

It’s clear that this isn’t just food—it’s a cultural reset.

Why Nostalgia Works in Fast Food

From McDonald’s adult Happy Meals to Pizza Hut’s throwback red-roof boxes, fast-food chains know that nostalgia sells.

For Taco Bell, this isn’t the first Decades Menu—but it may be the most emotional. The early 2000s are officially back in style, and food is the most universal way to relive it.

By combining fan demand with nostalgic flavors, Taco Bell has found the recipe for viral success.

Taste the Past, Live the Present

The Taco Bell Decades Y2K Menu isn’t just about tacos and burritos. It’s about reliving Friday nights at the mall, road trips with friends, and late-night runs when you only had a few dollars in your pocket.

It’s a reminder that food is more than fuel—it’s memory, identity, and connection.

So whether you’re revisiting your childhood favorites or trying them for the first time, this fall’s Y2K Menu is an event worth celebrating.

Because in 2025, nostalgia isn’t just a vibe. It’s dinner.