Not Ortega Or Taco Bell: These Are The Best Store-Bought Taco Shells On The Market

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Taco night can become a simple midweek ritual to look forward to, and our ranking of store-bought taco shells helps narrow buying decisions for routine supermarket trips. Familiar names like Ortega didn't claim the top position, however, as our writer found the brand's shells stale and bitter. Instead, Old El Paso's Bold Nacho Cheese Taco Shells bagged first place, as the flavored option surprised our writer with its texture and taste. With noteworthy seasoning and a flat bottom, Old El Paso's pieces are primed to fill with ingredients from your favorite taco recipes. 

With flavor already baked into the taco shells plus a cheesy flavor dust coating, these crispy shells can give even homemade crunchy taco shells serious competition. The recipe is a deviation from a classic style, and some samplers are likening them to the taste of Doritos. "If this review could be a one word answer it would be: YES," wrote a fan on Influenster. One Walmart shopper noted that the shells were better than Taco Bell's Doritos Shells. "Been eating them exclusively for years. I'm to the point now that I won't even make tacos if they're sold out at the local store, and they are fairly often," added another taco lover on Reddit. 

When you're looking to make a meal quickly, having a reliable ingredient on hand is key to getting plates on the table with confidence. Taco lovers have noted that Old El Paso's Bold Nacho Cheese Taco Shells hold together without easily breaking, and buyers have commented on the shell's ability to stand up, making filling and assembling recipes easy. "These are perfect. The crunch is far superior than that of regular taco shells. I think they're a little thicker, and they're definitely more satisfying," wrote a Walmart shopper, where others have admitted to purchasing the ingredient several times without encountering broken shells.

While some buyers have complained about broken pieces and have noted that the flavor of the tacos can overpower the filling, the majority are pleased with the choice. Our writer noted the taco's saltiness as a highlight, but some samplers have recommended adjusting the flavors and salt levels of any meat you make to fill the tacos with. With flavorful, ready-made taco shells that simply need to be filled, you can dedicate your precious time to making crave-worthy guacamole and perfecting taco filling to serve an enjoyable meal.