Taco Bell Is Bringing Back Its Volcano Menu After A Years-Long Absence
Nearly three-quarters of a decade is a long time for a fandom fast-food favorite to lie dormant in company retirement. But unlike other popular menu items that went peacefully into the night, one Taco Bell favorite is set to explode onto the scene once again. It's the Volcano Menu that free-flowed across Taco Bell restaurants years ago — 2016 marked its last return, a Taco Bell representative reportedly told The Takeout. It ignited a culinary passion that apparently never lost its fiery appeal. Fortunately for fans, it will soon be back.
According to a Taco Bell news release, faithful foodies never forgot the beloved Volcano Menu items, creating their own DIY versions over the years and petitioning for the menu's return. A still-active Change.org petition has received more than 1800 signatures and counting. Noting a groundswell of support from "everyday enthusiasts," Taco Bell credits the traceability of the food and the allure of special offers.
The upcoming Volcano return comes on the heels of another recent homecoming: the Mexican Pizza, which rejoined the family in September 2022. David Gibbs, CEO of Yum Brands, which is the parent company of Taco Bell, reported sales of roughly 45 million Mexican Pizzas by year's end, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Taco Bell teased the release of additional info as the Volcano Menu re-entry inches closer, but here's what we know for now, including dates and food item details.
Volcana Menu eruptions coming soon
The Volcano Menu is far from being a fly-by-night fad for Taco Bell. Debuting in 1995, it's now on an upcoming third incarnation, per the company. By popular demand, those hottie burritos and tacos will be back in the game just in time for summer.
Members of the Taco Bell Rewards program, which is open to U.S. consumers, get first dibs, starting on June 27. Two days later, anyone with an appetite and penchant for Mexican fare can order from the special menu at participating U.S. locations. But it's available only for a limited time, while supplies last, and those details are not publicly disclosed in the current Taco Bell news announcement.
What we do know is that the menu contains the popular Volcano Burrito and Volcano Taco, both with ground beef, and the cult-favorite lava sauce. Existing fans and newbies can also request the sauce on other Taco Bell items. Since previous iterations of the volcanic burrito and taco have varied, and the company is still mum on details of the big reveal, exact ingredients remain TBD for now.
While you're waiting, there's a string of other Taco Bell re-releases, including the nationwide Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito and Bacon Club Chalupa, and a couple of new regional drop-ins for Knoxville, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama. And those icy Freeze drinks? They're chilling across the U.S. in new incarnations of the already familiar Blue Raspberry Breeze and Wild Cherry Breeze Freezes.