We Tried Taco Bell’s New Gordita Crunch Duos

Praise be, Taco Bell has found another new way to combine its existing ingredients into a slightly different shape. That may sound sarcastic, but I’m genuinely always excited to see how they reinvent the wheel. This time around, Taco Bell has created the Gordita Crunch Duos by shrinking the classic Cheesy Gordita Crunch and remixing a few ingredients. Could this be a soft launch for some new full-sized Cheesy Gordita Crunches in the future? Is this just that shrinkflation I’ve been hearing about? Taco Bell was nice enough to send over a gift card so I could get down and dirty on these Duos.

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Both Gordita Crunch Duos by Taco Bell Reviewed:

Steak Gordita Crunch Duos by Taco Bell Review

New Taco Bell Menu Item!

Pros: This is, functionally, an updated version of the existing Cheesy Gordita Crunch. (By the numbers, this Duo actually has fewer calories than one standard-sized C.G.C.–food for thought) Swapping in creamy chipotle sauce for the classic’s spicy ranch is a great choice, and I lean steak over beef in basically every menu item I order from the Bell.

Cons: I ordered this with no customizations for review purposes, but in any other circumstance, I wouldn’t pair Taco Bell’s pico de gallo with the savory steak and creamy chipotle sauce. (While we’re at it, how good is Taco Bell’s creamy chipotle sauce? I have gone through more than one bottle of the grocery version on hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, and anything else you can imagine.)

Credit: Griffin Parker / Taco Bell

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Slow-Roasted Chicken Gordita Crunch Duos by Taco Bell Review

New Taco Bell Menu Item!

Pros: It’s a testament to Taco Bell’s new slow-roasted chicken recipe that I actually prefer this to the steak version! This chicken meshes better with the fresh pico de gallo than the darker protein, delivering that Cal-Mex vibe the chain excels at. While a single Cheesy Gordita Crunch may have more calories, both Duos feel more filling than a single C.G.C. on account of some sneaky “there’s two of them!” placebo effect nonsense, I’m sure. There’s no wrong choice between these two; just follow your protein-seeking heart.

Cons: As with all Cheesy Gordita Crunches, I would have loved a little more cheese between the cornshell and the flatbread. (This will come as no surprise to any employee who worked at Taco Bell during the period when I would regularly order a steak quesadilla with half-a-scoop of queso–a nightmare to clean off the grill, but easily the best Taco Bell “hack” to ever grace my plate.)

Credit: Griffin Parker / Taco Bell

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

When can I get my hands on Taco Bell’s new Gordita Crunch Duos?

Good news! As of just two days ago (at the time of this writing), Taco Bell’s Gordita Crunch Duos are available nationwide while supplies last. It feels like we’re always writing about limited-time regional items; it’s nice when Taco Bell remembers the rest of us every once in a while.

Protip: The Gordita Crunch Duos are available in Taco Bell’s Discovery Luxe Box, which will run you ~$9 for the Slow-Roasted Chicken Gordita Crunch Duos, a Doritos Locos Taco, Crunchy Taco, Chips & Nacho Cheese, and a medium fountain drink. These days, any good value meal feels like a minor miracle. Praise be to Bell.