
Alright, fellow food adventurers, let’s be real for a moment. At some point in our lives, whether it was a late-night craving, a college budget staple, or just a pure love for bold flavors, we’ve all found ourselves pulling up to a Taco Bell drive-thru. For more than 60 years, this Mexican-themed chain has built a truly loyal following thanks to its over-the-top creations and the sheer convenience of satisfying those unexpected hunger pangs. There’s a lot to love, from the Cheesy Gordita Crunch to the endless possibilities of customizing your order.
But what if we told you that behind all that crave-worthy goodness, there’s a whole other side to the story? A side whispered by the very people who bring those delicious creations to life? We’re talking about the brave souls, the Taco Bell employees themselves, who have taken to Reddit AMAs, YouTube breakdowns, and various comment threads to spill the beans (pun intended!) on what they personally refuse to eat from the menu. Their reasons range from the genuinely amusing to the downright eyebrow-raising, sometimes even touching on serious food safety concerns.
Now, before you panic and throw out your half-eaten Doritos Locos Taco, remember this isn’t about shaming your favorite fast-food indulgence. Taco Bell is quick, it’s cheap, and it’s undeniably delicious – and we totally get that. But in the spirit of ‘buyer beware,’ and armed with the power of insider knowledge, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you a list of menu items that many employees avoid at all costs. Consider these tips a friendly heads-up before your next Taco Bell run, giving you the power to order smarter and maybe, just maybe, save yourself from a little regret.

1. **Steak**When you think ‘premium’ at Taco Bell, steak often comes to mind, right? It’s been a major player in many of their signature dishes, even making a beloved comeback in items like the Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito. But here’s where the employee insights might just make you do a double-take. According to a Taco Bell manager on Reddit, they would “NEVER eat the steak,” humorously (or not so humorously) adding that their crew calls it “dear [sic] ankles.”
That nickname alone should give you pause. It most likely hints at the texture and quality of the meat, suggesting it doesn’t quite resemble the tender, juicy steak you might imagine in a taco shell. While the Taco Bell site proudly describes its steak as “marinated and grilled,” the reality, according to a former employee, is far less glamorous. The meat arrives in pre-packaged plastic bags, which are then dropped into hot water to reheat.
This method of preparation, far from fresh grilling on location, has led many employees to view the steak with suspicion. Another former assistant manager on Reddit was even blunter, stating, “Worst thing has got to be anything with steak… Steak doesn’t sell as much compared to chicken and beef so it’ll just sit there for hours, plus it’s not like actual steak.” This lingering on the line can significantly impact its quality and taste.
Considering its higher price tag, the less-than-appetizing preparation method, and the employee reputation, this so-called premium option might genuinely not be worth the splurge. Especially when you consider that some ingredients in the steak have been linked to negative health outcomes, it makes you wonder if that ‘dear ankles’ nickname isn’t just a joke after all. Maybe it’s time to skip the steak and opt for something else.
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2. **Guacamole**Ah, guacamole. In traditional Mexican cuisine, it’s a fresh, creamy, flavor-packed staple. And while Taco Bell isn’t exactly authentic Mexican food (their failed expansion into Mexico is a testament to that!), it certainly draws inspiration from those traditions. So, adding guac to your order should be a safe and satisfying choice, right? Think again, friends.
According to some employees, Taco Bell’s guacamole is anything but. In a Reddit thread asking an employee about gross ingredients, they didn’t hesitate: “The only gross one is guac.” They went on to drop a major red flag in a follow-up comment: “I would NEVER do the guac though, it’s usually like the least used ingredient and is usually left out in a warm environment.” Let that sink in: “left out in a warm environment.”
This is a huge no-no when it comes to food safety. The USDA recommends that perishable foods like guacamole be stored below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the growth of nasty bacteria. When it’s left out at warmer temperatures, even for a short period, it can become a breeding ground for harmful pathogens such as listeria or salmonella. While Taco Bell recently revamped its guacamole recipe, promising daily freshness with Haas avocados, some reviews still suggest it tastes like it came from a plastic bag, and employee testimonies still point to concerns about warm storage. So, next time, maybe consider making your own fresh guac at home. Better safe than sorry, indeed!
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3. **Seasoned Potatoes**For vegetarians and anyone craving a delicious side, Taco Bell’s seasoned potatoes are often a go-to. They show up across the menu in burritos, bowls, and as a hearty swap for meat. But if you’ve ever bitten into a potato that felt suspiciously hard, dry, or generally underwhelming, you’re absolutely not imagining things. It’s a common complaint, and employees have revealed exactly why.
A Reddit user bravely asked a Taco Bell store manager what many of us have pondered: “Why are the potatoes always hard?” The manager’s response was blunt and revealing: “They are left in the heating cabinet on top of the line.” This isn’t just an oversight; it’s a systemic issue tied to speed and cost. The manager elaborated that it’s “all based on the cost of the product, and corporate. To them it’s wasting product and potatoes take 3–4 mins to fry and people get f***ing PISSED when they have to wait.”
So, instead of cooking fresh batches as needed, staff often rely on pre-made potatoes that sit under heat lamps for extended periods. The result? Those crisp, golden morsels you’re hoping for turn into starchy, shriveled cubes. It’s a trade-off that prioritizes speed and cost-efficiency over the quality and texture of your spuds. While it’s understandable that fast food aims for ‘fast,’ this particular compromise might leave your taste buds feeling disappointed. If perfectly cooked potatoes are what you’re after, you might want to look beyond the Bell.
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4. **Cinnamon Twists**You know someone’s about to drop some serious truth bombs when they kick off a Reddit post with, “I just quit, AMA.” That person has absolutely nothing to lose! And in one such thread, a former Taco Bell employee did just that, offering a candid answer when asked about items they’d personally avoid: the Cinnamon Twists. They might look light, airy, and perfectly sweet, but these seemingly innocent dessert bites come with a surprising amount of baggage.
One of the biggest issues? “The cinnamon twists will just reflect whatever the fryer tastes like,” the former employee wrote. And contrary to a persistent internet myth from the 2010s (that even Taco Bell’s official TikTok has nodded to), they’re not made by deep-frying rotini pasta. Uncooked twists only *resemble* rotini before they puff up. But when they do puff, they’re busy sucking up the flavor of every old chalupa shell, every batch of tortilla chips, and whatever else has recently taken a dip in that fryer. A dusting of cinnamon sugar simply isn’t going to salvage those savory undertones.
The problem is compounded by a lack of proper maintenance training. “Not many people were trained to clean and maintain the fryer,” the employee added. Improper fryer upkeep isn’t just a flavor issue; it’s a food safety concern too. Old, degraded oil can lead to off-smells and tastes, and potentially introduce harmful compounds if not changed regularly. So, if your Cinnamon Twists have an unexpected hint of seasoned beef or a faint whisper of chicken, you’re probably not imagining it.
And there’s more! If the Cinnamon Twists sit too long on the line, they get stale fast, losing their light, airy quality. However, there’s a legendary employee-recommended hack that’s worth a try if you’re feeling adventurous: dipping them in sour cream. Seriously! According to one Redditor claiming to be an employee, the combination tastes surprisingly like cheesecake. Who knew?
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5. **Anything After 10 PM**We’ve all heard the old adage that “nothing good happens after midnight,” but according to a former Taco Bell employee, the cutoff time for quality is even earlier: 10 p.m., to be exact. This insider tip came from a Reddit AMA where the employee didn’t hold back, advising, “Don’t eat at TB after 10 PM. The secret shoppers can’t come after 10, so all the standards go out the window.”
For those unfamiliar, “secret shoppers” are mystery customers hired by fast-food companies to report on everything from cleanliness to order accuracy and food quality. They ensure that standards are consistently met. But if these watchful eyes are off the clock after 10 p.m., as this employee suggests, some staff members might take that as a cue to ease up on the usual rigorous procedures.
What does this mean for your late-night Crunchwrap craving? It can translate into sloppier prep, cutting corners on freshness, or holding food past its prime. None of these scenarios pair well with a desire for a quality meal. It’s a stark reminder that while late-night Taco Bell runs are a rite of passage for many, there might be a significant drop in consistency and care once those secret shoppers clock out.
So, if you value quality, freshness, or how you’re going to feel the morning after, perhaps a late-night Taco Bell stop shouldn’t be your first (or only) option after an evening out. Consider getting your fix a bit earlier in the day, when the standards are still firmly in place and the vigilance is at its peak. Your stomach might just thank you for it.
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6. **Quesadillas**When a Reddit user called out Taco Bell’s quesadillas as a “joke answer” to the question of what not to order, there was a kernel of undeniable truth behind it. While complaining about pricing might seem petty compared to more serious food safety concerns, the underlying disappointment is very real. “Six dollars for something you could make at home for cheaper,” they lamented, and it’s a sentiment many customers share.
Taco Bell’s quesadillas have long had a reputation for being both under-filled and overpriced. For just a few dollars more, you could often get an entire combo meal with multiple items. This makes the quesadilla, which in theory should be a simple, satisfying staple, feel like a poor value proposition. The marketing often depicts them as melty and satisfying, brimming with flavor, but the reality can be quite different.
What often lands on your tray is more akin to a warm tortilla with a mere whisper of cheese, a faint smear of sauce, and perhaps a few meager pieces of protein. It rarely lives up to the cheesy, gooey expectation. It’s a classic example of expectation versus reality in the fast-food world, where simplicity doesn’t always translate to quality or generous portions. The ingredient quality for the cheese itself also factors in here, as the pre-shredded cheese used isn’t optimal for melting due to anti-caking agents.
Ultimately, when it comes to quesadillas, you’re probably better off saving your hard-earned money and whipping up your own at home. All you truly need is a tortilla, some real cheese that melts beautifully, and a hot pan. But if you’re absolutely set on ordering one, there are employee-shared hacks out there to pay less than half the price, which might just make the disappointment a little easier to swallow. Sometimes, the best advice comes from those who know the menu intimately.” , “_words_section1”: “1947
Now, you might think we’ve covered all the secret sauces and hidden truths, but hold onto your hot sauce packets, because the insider revelations aren’t over yet! We’re diving even deeper into the Taco Bell menu, unearthing more surprising truths straight from the mouths of the employees themselves. From morning meals to late-night classics, these next few items might just make you rethink your usual order, all while keeping that beloved Baja Blast within reach.
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7. **Breakfast Items (Especially the Eggs)**They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but if your morning ritual involves a trip to Taco Bell, you might want to hit pause. According to some employees, the entire breakfast menu is a hard pass, often described as “disgusting” due to its preparation and ingredients. One worker admitted, “I don’t like anything on the breakfast menu… The preparation and the ingredients that go on the items just make it disgusting to me.”
The biggest complaint often revolves around the sheer amount of grease. “It’s all very greasy and very, very nasty. I can’t stomach it,” another employee revealed. This greasy reality, coupled with a price tag workers feel is disproportionate to the quality, makes the breakfast menu a significant no-go zone. Imagine starting your day feeling weighed down rather than energized.
Then there are the eggs. Forget cracking fresh eggs; Taco Bell’s eggs arrive in liquid form, bagged up. One employee described them starting as a “solid block of yellow egg substance” then placed in a thermalizer. After heating, the bag is “mashed to break up the egg,” hardly a fluffy scramble. Adding to this, some employees note a distinct lack of seasoning, despite cage-free status since 2016.
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8. **Refried Beans**Taco Bell’s refried beans are a menu MVP, appearing everywhere from burritos to nachos. They’re a vegetarian staple and a core component of many fan favorites. But for those who’ve seen behind the curtain, these omnipresent legumes come with a less-than-appetizing origin story that might make you think twice before digging into your next Five-Layer Burrito.
The journey of Taco Bell’s refried beans begins not with simmering pots, but with a package that, according to employee confessions, looks suspiciously like cat food. These dehydrated “little pebbles” are rehydrated with hot water and vigorously stirred. While the result is “passable,” the visual of the initial “brown substance” mixing with water has been cited as a “big turn off” by those who’ve witnessed it firsthand.
The plot thickens (or thins) throughout the day. Employees reveal that as beans dry out, more water is simply added. This means a late-night bean burrito might contain beans that have been continually rehydrated for hours. The context notes, “You’re probably drunk though, so you don’t care,” but if you do, this prolonged sitting and re-watering might be a significant concern for freshness, despite being certified vegan and “still safe to eat.”
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9. **General Cheese Quality**Ah, cheese. It’s practically the lifeblood of Taco Bell, slathered, sprinkled, and melted onto almost every savory item. On the surface, the shredded cheese looks, smells, and tastes fine, giving us that gooey goodness we crave. But peel back a layer, and you might find some truths about Taco Bell’s cheese that are, shall we say, a little more processed than pristine.
One eye-opening revelation from employees is about the cheese’s incredible shelf life. A Redditor pointed out that it “doesn’t expire for almost a year,” suggesting generous preservatives. While the volume of cheese used means you’re unlikely to encounter an “old” bag, consuming ingredients designed for such longevity might give some pause if you’re mindful of food additives. Pre-shredded cheese also contains anti-caking agents and cellulose, which prevent clumping but interfere with melting, a key part of the Taco Bell experience.
Beyond preservatives, concerns link Taco Bell meals to small amounts of phthalates, chemicals found in plastics, potentially due to cheese storage. For one former employee, a run-in with the nacho cheese pump left them literally scarred: “Some got on my wrist and now it is discolored in that spot. This happened a year ago and I still have this spot.” A stark reminder that not all cheese is created equal or handled with utmost care.
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10. **Chalupas**The chalupa, with its deep-fried shell, is a beloved textural delight on the Taco Bell menu, a taco reimagined with a satisfying crunch. Many of us appreciate that distinctive, puffy shell. But here’s a little kitchen secret: while Taco Bell does have fryers that churn out chalupas daily, the quality of your chalupa can be incredibly sensitive to one thing – the passage of time.
If chalupas aren’t flying off the line quickly, they often find themselves sitting on the heat rack for far longer than ideal. Prolonged exposure to heat transforms a crispy shell into something much less appealing. A frustrated customer’s Reddit video depicted a chalupa shell that snapped “like a fallen twig,” a quality one employee called “embarrassing.”
It’s a shame, because frying a fresh batch takes only about 50 seconds. This means the difference between a sad, stale chalupa and a gloriously fresh one could be less than a minute. While asking for a fresh batch might add a tiny bit of extra wait time, many discerning diners would agree it’s a wait worth making for optimal crunch.

11. **Nacho Fries**Oh, Nacho Fries. These peppery, savory-seasoned potato sticks are a limited-time offer that brings joy to many and chaos to some Taco Bell kitchens. They’re often hailed as the perfect sidekick to a Crunchwrap Supreme. But while their return is always met with fanfare, it also, surprisingly, ushers in a new wave of customer complaints.
Why the sudden dip in quality for such a beloved item? According to a Taco Bell employee on TikTok, it often stems from new staff who haven’t mastered dropping and seasoning the fries. The precise timing and technique for perfect crispness and flavor can be tricky, and with a limited-time item, not everyone gets sufficient training or practice before the rush begins.
Ensuring peak freshness is also a challenge; an employee suggested fries ideally drop every 15 minutes. For a rotating item, this frequent frying is a significant ask, meaning fries might sit longer than optimal during slower periods. So, while we’d never deter you from enjoying these crave-able fries, it’s wise to be wary. A slight dip in perfection might still be worth it for that spicy seasoning!
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12. **Chili Cheese Burrito**For many Taco Bell aficionados, the Chili Cheese Burrito isn’t just a menu item; it’s a blast from the past, a cult classic bringing ’90s nostalgia. This mash-up of spicy chili and gooey cheese, rolled into a burrito, was tragically discontinued but often exists as a whispered secret menu item at select locations. It makes you feel like you’re in on a delicious secret.
But even this beloved relic isn’t immune to employee scrutiny. If you can still snag one, insider tidbits might temper your excitement. The cheddar often contains anti-caking agents like cellulose – generally deemed safe but deriving from sources like wood pulp. This highlights the subtle compromises inherent in fast-food ingredients.
More critically, chili quality can be a major red flag, especially outside peak hours. Employees admit, “Most Taco Bells just let the chili sit in the pans for hours before doing anything with it,” meaning your late-night fantasy might involve chili well past its prime. Insider tips suggest “best bet is to go around 11 am or 4 pm” for fresh, tasty chili.
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13. **Mexican Pizza**The Mexican Pizza is a true legend. Its triumphant return in 2022 sparked a frenzy, with over 20 million sold, even forcing the chain to pull it due to shortages. This item isn’t just popular; it’s an icon, inspiring copycat recipes and driving loyalty sign-ups. You’d think such a celebrated item would be a kitchen dream, easily perfect, right? Think again.
Despite its undeniable popularity, the Mexican Pizza surprisingly lands on the “avoid” list for some employees. One alleged worker was direct: “The shells are super gross imo,” they declared. This isn’t just subjective taste; it points to deeper concern about the quality or consistency of a core component. The crispy, layered shells are fundamental, so this candid feedback is certainly food for thought.
Adding to employee woes, the Mexican Pizza is also frequently cited as “probably the items people will mess up the most.” Between delicate layering and precise ingredient amounts, it appears challenging to consistently execute. This complexity can lead to a less-than-perfect customer experience. Another employee even “shared their own tale of Mexican Pizza woe.” So, while it’s revered, consider the employee perspective for your next order.
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Number of Items: 1
Flavor: Beef & Been Red Chilli
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Phew! That was quite the journey behind the Taco Bell curtain, wasn’t it? From the suspicious “dear [sic] ankles” steak to the often-mishandled Mexican Pizza, these insider truths offer a fascinating glimpse into the realities of fast-food prep. Remember, this isn’t about shaming your favorite late-night indulgence, but rather about empowering you with knowledge. Taco Bell remains a beloved institution, a quick, cheap, and undeniably delicious option for millions. But armed with these candid confessions from the very people who make your meals, you can now navigate the menu with a sharper eye and perhaps make choices that lead to an even more satisfying, and less questionable, “run for the border.” May your next Crunchwrap be fresh, and your beans, well, as fresh as they can be! Live mas, but also, live smart!