Taco Bell knows how to think outside the bun. But how about on the bone?
The biggest name in Mexican fast food is winging it. After introducing the item for the first time last year, Taco Bell is bringing back its chicken wings for a limited time.
Getting wings from the chain known best for chalupas, Doritos locos tacos and crunchwrap supremes may seem counter intuitive. But anyone worth their salty tortilla chips dipped in neon yellow cheese knows better than to question Taco Bell. The Live Mas Masters can do no wrong. Whatever they throw in a tortilla turns to cheesy gordita gold. But they can think outside the burrito, too. Hell, even their nacho fries are amazing.
I will try anything at Taco Bell — you’re talking to the guy who ate there for 30 days straight and (barely) lived to tell the tale — so as soon as I heard they were back I hightailed it to T-Bell.
The Taco Bell app conveniently lists which locations have wings in stock. I ordered mine at their downtown Jersey City location and was immediately impressed with how good they looked. Had you told me these wings came from my favorite local bar, I would have believed you. They looked fresh, crisp, well-seasoned and decently sized. A five-piece order will run you $6.99.
Before I even tasted the wing, I could hear it. The exterior was so crispy that a loud crunch filled my ears as soon as I bit down. The queso seasoning hit my lips and I was sold. These didn’t taste like typical buffalo wings — nor should they have. The wings enjoyed a cheesy and slightly spicy tang to them, which tasted unlike any other wing I had ever had. Because it was unlike any other wing I’d had. It was a Taco Bell wing.
Plenty of joints fry their wings to the point where they’re crispy but lifeless. Other fast food (and fast food-adjacent) spots consistently under-deliver — looking at you, Wingstop!
But not Taco Bell! The meat on the wing itself was surprisingly juicy and tender. Dipping them in the provided spicy ranch dressing only elevated the experience. I honestly struggled to find a single thing to dislike about the wings. They weren’t the best wings I’ve ever had, but they were far from the worst. In fact, they were better than what I’ve had at wing-specific restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings.
Taco Bell’s wings are only available until Feb. 9. If you’re a Taco Bell aficionado like myself or a wing fanatic, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
Because Taco Bell has once again proven it can do anything — even wings.
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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.