Maybe you’ve just read my other taco bell review, or maybe you haven’t, but on launch day for this product, my Taco Bell seemed to be pretty lacking in where they chose to tell you about new products via sign. My favorite one was the big “NEW CHICKEN RANCH GORDITA,” not specifically anything visually about it, but the fact that it was only advertised on the window right after the drive thru, early enough that you haven’t left the Bell yet, but late enough that you don’t know of its existence until after you’ve ordered and paid. So guess who went through the drive thru twice…

This was already after most of the mental process of getting frustrated at their recycling menu items habit, yet for some reason I circled the building again to spend more money all on a product where the only difference is a gordita shell instead of a tortilla shell, but I assure you, in my mind they seemed like really good reasons. It’s simple really: one is Chicken, and one is Ranch, and I don’t know if you’re from Marklarr or something, but those flavors go together so amazingly that there’s no denying it. Also surprise reason number three is that it’s 89 cents, a price hard to find at other fast-food locations.

Just adding a gordita to a soft grilled chicken taco doesn’t add a whole bunch, but compared to those new burritos it’s an addition I welcome with open arms. Well, hugging a taco is strange, so I’ll greet it with an open mouth. The ranch-guac sauce is one of the best things there, and smothered on a thick chalupa shell makes the bread/sauce combo pop. And like Ben said on his legendary Quepapas review, “They come with ranch dip! If I caught you asking for anything else, I’d punch your face.” Just, you know, the ranch is on it this time, but seriously at this price this is one of the best things at Taco Bell, if not at any fast food place with a value menu. The one thing I don’t get is how there isn’t a Chalupa version on the value menu, it can’t be too hard to fry a piece of flat bread right?