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Mexican Pizza has seen a lot of variations in ingredients over the years. Still, the original version includes a crispy tortilla shell as the base, topped with refried beans, ground seasoned beef, a three-cheese blend, diced tomatoes, and a Mexican Pizza sauce. This popular menu item has customers swearing never to return to Taco Bell after they discontinued the pizza in 2020.
The social media campaign to bring it back gained traction and even caught the attention of celebrity chefs. Earlier this year, Taco Bell teased customers with the idea that they would make Mexican Pizza a permanent menu item again, but that was before they paused the longtime staple from their menu again. Disappointed again! Don’t be – there is some good news.
Why Did Taco Bell Discontinue The Mexican Pizza
With its constantly rotating menu items, Taco Bell decided to discontinue Mexican Pizza in November 2020. This decision was made as part of a larger effort to streamline their menu and make room for new offerings. According to the restaurant, they constantly evaluate ways to make the dining experience more efficient and believe removing the Mexican Pizza will pave the way for fresh ideas.
The dish was among several items cut from the menu, including Shredded Chicken and Pico de Gallo. While some of these items found their replacement, nothing would fit the Mexican Pizza, like its combination of refried beans, beef or chicken, tomato sauce, and cheese on a crispy crust. Fans of the dish may be disappointed, but Taco Bell is confident that the changes will create a better overall dining experience. Or so they thought!
After the announcement, Mexican Pizza Fans took to social media to express their dismay, even starting a petition to bring back the dish. Some were so disappointed that they even began hoarding the pizza before it was fully phased out, hoping to stock up for later use. Others even started a campaign to boycott Taco Bell until the pizza returned.
Additionally, Taco Bell faced criticism for removing the popular item in the first place, as it was a favorite among vegetarians for its ability to substitute beans for beef.
Despite the backlash, Taco Bell remained committed to its decision.
When and Why Did Taco Bell Revive The Mexican Pizza
In early 2022, Taco Bell announced the return of Mexican Pizza. This decision was undoubtedly influenced by the fan outcry and a new trend in personalized menus where customers can build their own version of the dish with customizable ingredients.
There was a petition started by super fan Krish Jagirdar on change.org, and it gained over 171,000 signatures from fans pleading for the dish’s return. This saw huge names like Dolly Parton and Doja Cat join in on the petition. By the look of things, the movement paid off. Taco Bell officially brought back Mexican Pizza on May 17, 2022. Doja Cat was the first to break the news during her Coachella performance, and Taco Bell officially announced it the next day.
Taco Bell CEO Mark King acknowledged the dish’s long history with the brand and expressed excitement to bring it back for fans. However, it was a limited release, only available to users of the restaurant’s app. The dish was fully reintroduced on May 19, 2022, much to the delight of fans who had been vocal about their love for it.
According to the CEO, the Mexican Pizza was “perhaps the most beloved item” on Taco Bell’s menu. It remains a fan favorite even after being introduced to the menu in 1985 as “Pizzazz Pizza.”
However, some fans were not happy with the new version of Mexican Pizza. They were convinced it wasn’t the same as the original, citing changes in ingredients and appearance. Despite these critiques, Mexican Pizza sold out first. During the reintroduction of the fan-favorite dish, Taco Bell also made steps toward sustainability. They partnered with TerraCycle to launch a pilot program for recycling their sauce packets as part of their commitment to transitioning to all recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2025.
Why Did Taco Bell Pause The Mexican Pizza?
After bringing Mexican Pizza back as a permanent menu item in May 2022, Taco Bell paused the item just a few months later. The fans of this delicious stack of tortillas, refried beans, and beef had their hearts broken again. The On-Again, Off-Again Mexican Pizza is starting to feel like a roller coaster for fans.
Once they brought the item back, Taco Bell underestimated its popularity. They did not anticipate the high demand and could not keep up with the supply. They sold out quite first at many locations and had to pause the item to catch up. One of the joints in Califonia alone sold over 1,000 Mexican Pizzas in a single day. According to their tweet, the demand was seven times what they expected. They admitted having not realized how many fans of the dish there were.
This time, they cited concerns about sustainability and their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. While most of the restaurants were or close to sold out by the start of September 2022, they are working with suppliers to restock ingredients and bring the Mexican Pizza back permanently.
When Did Taco Bell Bring Back The Mexican Pizza?
On September 15, the wait will finally be over as Taco Bell brings back their beloved Mexican Pizza as a permanent menu item. The dish, made with seasoned beef and refried beans, fried flour tortillas, cheese blend, pizza sauce topping, and some diced tomatoes, will be exactly as it was before its recent shortage of ingredients. Taco Bell has worked to resolve these issues and bring back Mexican Pizza for all its loyal fans.
In their FAQ section, Taco Bell assures customers that they have been working diligently to bring back the Mexican Pizza in all its glory. It appears this time; it will be here to stay.
What is special about Mexican Pizza?
Though it may seem like a simple dish, fans of Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza swear by its unique flavor and combination of ingredients. The dish combines the flavors of Mexican food with the convenience and comfort of pizza, creating an indulgent and tasty treat.
Some fans have even created their own variations of the dish, adding their own toppings and ingredients to make it their own. It’s become a fan favorite for its versatility and delicious taste.
The 1985 introduction of the Mexican Pizza as “Pizzazz Pizza” brought it to mainstream popularity, and its numerous appearances on Taco Bell’s menu over the years have solidified its place as a beloved dish. It’s no wonder fans were so eager to permanently see it back on the menu.
Why Taco Bell Discontinued And Then Revived Their Mexican Pizza article published on BigCityReview.com© 2022
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