Reviewing Taco Bel's New Cantina Bell Menu

The Daily Meal
Three types of fast-food eaters test Taco bell's new Chipotle-like menu
Three types of fast-food eaters test Taco bell's new Chipotle-like menu

Shortly after the wider rollout of their highly anticipated FirstMeal offerings, the new Cantina Bell menu from Yum Brand Inc's Taco Bell has some people saying, "Yo queiro… Chipotle?" The Irvine-based chain's chief marketing and innovation officer, Brian Niccol, claims otherwise, but the newly introduced menu is already drawing comparisons to its fresh-Mex competitor, Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Slideshow: Reviewing Taco Bell's New Cantina Bell Menu

Cantina Bell, which began testing in the Bakersfield, Calif., and Louisville, Ky., markets Jan. 26, focuses on higher quality ingredients. The new burritos, bowls, and soft tacos are stuffed with seasoned white rice, black beans, corn salsa, romaine lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro dressing, and a choice of chicken, steak, or veggies.

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Developed with the help of Miami-based chef Lorena Garcia, the Cantina Bell line focuses on fewer, fresher ingredients. Garcia, the chef on NBC's The Biggest Loser, is a proponent of healthy but tasty dishes. The cilantro dressing (the clear winner in this taste test) is a version of a recipe Garcia has made since childhood.

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The prices for Cantina Bell offerings ranged from $1.49 to $3.99 (with other locations reporting prices closer to $5). This is higher than Taco Bell's average price point, but cheaper than comparable items at Chipotle, where the items range from $7 to $9 at most locations. If the menu proves popular in the test markets, Cantina Bell could be rolled out nationwide by the end of 2012.

So how do the new items taste? We sent a crack team to the suburbs of Los Angeles - where the new menu is available at select stores under the guise "Taco Bell Signatures" - to test it out. Judge #1 is an average Taco Bell eater; he begins his day with FirstMeal and ends it with FourthMeal. Judge #2, an average Chipotle customer, is used to reading about the company's ethically farmed meat while she waits in line for her made-to-order burrito. Judge #3 is a health nut and usually avoids fast food altogether, but she's a good sport.

Nutritional facts are included for each menu item, but the reviews are based mainly on taste. Each item was tasted including all possible toppings; however, the menu is fully customizable.


Signature Veggie Taco
Signature Veggie Taco

Signature Veggie Taco ($1.49)
Nutritional Info: 250 calories (for one taco), compared to Chipotle's soft chicken taco (243 calories, for one taco)

Avid Taco Bell Eater: "The guacamole is a really nice touch."

Average Chipotle Eater: "The guacamole tastes a bit watered down, as if they added some to get more out of a single batch, but its not bad."

Health Nut: "The beans in this taco are tasty and well-cooked."



Signature Steak Burrito
Signature Steak Burrito

Signature Steak Burrito ($3.99)
Nutritional Info: 740 calories, compared to Chipotle's steak burrito (935 calories)

Avid Taco Bell Eater: "The texture of the steak is weird and its not as flavorful as the chicken was."

Average Chipotle Eater: "This is disappointing, I wouldnt order this again."

Health Nut: "The steak tastes lower grade, I would get the chicken one instead."



Signature Veggie Burrito Bowl
Signature Veggie Burrito Bowl

Signature Veggie Burrito Bowl ($3.99)
Nutritional Info: 530 calories, compared to Chipotle's veggie fajita burrito bowl (475 calories)

Avid Taco Bell Eater: "This is really good. I really like the fresher veggies and the cilantro dressing lends an added kick."

Average Chipotle Eater: "The veggie bowl is pretty good; its cheaper than Chipotle, but not better tasting."

Health Nut: "This bowl is tasty the creamy cilantro dressing is my favorite, and the dish is really nice and fresh."



Signature Steak Burrito Bowl
Signature Steak Burrito Bowl

Signature Steak Burrito Bowl ($3.99)
Nutritional Info: 540 calories, compared to Chipotle's steak burrito bowl (645 calories)

Avid Taco Bell Eater: "The steak dishes are still not my favorite."

Average Chipotle Eater: "If Taco Bell really wants to offer higher quality ingredients, maybe they should consider tiered pricing. Chipotle charges more for steak, carne asada, etc., but Taco Bell charges the same for the veggie, chicken, and steak versions, leaving a lower profit margin for the meat options."

Health Nut: "Im over eating any more of that steak. Its not very tasty or healthful."



Signature Chicken Taco
Signature Chicken Taco

Signature Chicken Taco ($1.49)
Nutritional Info: 230 calories (for one taco), compared to Chipotle's soft chicken taco (300 calories, for one taco)

Avid Taco Bell Eater: "The chicken taco is pretty good, but I'm not sure this is what traditional Taco Bell customers are expecting."

Average Chipotle Eater: "This is OK, but the tortilla isn't as good as Chipotle's it's too hard and doughy."

Health Nut: "The freshness of the tomatoes in the pico de gallo and the corn salsa are really nice, and they shine through here."


Click to see More Items from Taco Bell's New Cantina Menu Reviewed

- Melinda Brocka, The Daily Meal

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