Virtually all innovations in 2021 that are not related to the vaccine were related to the fast food chicken sandwich. KFC started the year with a competent riff on the internet breaking Chicken popeyes sandwich. The Boston Market launch itself was less than impressive. Wendy’s Chicken Sandwich With Jalapeno Popper, a little inconsequential in the crispy chicken arena, was average. But now, Taco Bell has launched an ad that can only turn a few tired heads: the Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco is arriving at a Taco Bell near you.
“Is this new and delicious item a sandwich or a taco, you ask?” reads a press release sent to The Takeout. “Well, it’s a sandwich AND a taco. And you don’t have to explain yourself to be so delicious. ” It’s fair.
The crispy chicken sandwich Taco has only 3-4 elements, so at least Taco Bell is trying to keep things simple with its new hybrid concept. It starts with a piece of “premium crispy chicken entirely made of white meat, marinated in jalapeño buttermilk, then seasoned with bold Mexican spices and wrapped in a crispy tortilla topping”. A promising start. This chicken is served in what Taco Bell just describes as “a soft bread, shaped like an iconic taco”. Intriguing! The whole thing is finished with a “tasty creamy exclusive chipotle sauce”. Customers can order a regular version and a spicy version, the latter with slices of pickled jalapeño. Do we dare say that? This looks good. Taco Bell has found its own side door to the Fast Food Chicken Sandwich War, and although it is not Mexican Pizza, Sandwich Taco may surprise us all.
Starting March 11, Crispy Chicken Sandwich Taco will only be available in two test markets: Nashville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. The nationwide launch will happen sometime “later this year”. If any of our readers manage to catch one during the testing phase, tell us everything! I yearn to know what “iconic bread in the shape of an iconic taco” tastes like.