Louisiana Taco Bell Fans Excited as Chain Announces New Items

Louisiana's love affair with food doesn't stop at the intersection of Cajun and Creole. Our flavor palate is quite expansive and it makes perfect sense that it would be. Since most of the dishes that have grown to be identified with Louisiana are merely "foods of the common people" it's no wonder we identify with other cultures and their "peasant foods" as well. 

By the way, I use the term "peasant food" as a term of endearment. Most of the best meals I have ever experienced grew out of recipes created by the common folks of a culture. Those innovative individuals took ingredients that were affordable and available and made something magical out of them. The Cajun gumbo is such a dish so is Jambalaya for that matter.

Maybe that's why I, like many of us in The Boot, also have a strong taste for Mexican recipes. Many of the flavors and tastes associated with that cuisine got their start in some very humble kitchens across the Southwest. But for a lot of folks when you mention the words "Mexican Food" they immediately think of Taco Bell.

Taco Bell isn't a bad place to eat. I do think they make about nineteen different dishes out of the same three ingredients namely, seasoned meat, cheese, and tortillas, but boy do they make it taste good, especially after a night on the town.

But one thing you can say about Taco Bell and its menu offerings, they "ain't skeered". Taco Bell will try some innovative items and for a lot of us, those items like nacho fries, chicken wings, and Mexican Pizza quickly become fan favorites.

Now, the Mexican food chain has announced that it is test marketing two new items that could become the next great "thing" at Taco Bell. The first item is the Cheesy Chicken Crispanada. Think of a traditional empanada filled with white and dark meat chicken that has been slow-cooked in a tomato, garlic, onion, and seasoning mixture. That meat is added inside the pocket of fried dough with a blend of three cheeses.

If you recall Taco Bell's Caramel Apple Empanada from the dessert menu then you'll have a good idea of what the new Cheesy Chicken Crispanada is all about. At least from a how-it-looks standpoint.

The second new item being tested by Taco Bell is called The Stacker. It's an item for the value menu and is very similar to what most of us would recognize as a quesadilla. However, the Stacker features a stack of crunchy tortillas filled with melted cheese, seasoned beef, and more or you could get it spicy with jalapenos added between the layers of grilled flour tortillas.

The Cheesy Chicken Crispanada is currently being test-marketed in select locations across Georgia. The Stacker is being tested at locations in Arizona. The company has not issued any guidance on if and when the new items might be added to Louisiana Taco Bell Menus but if and when they do, we'll be ready.