Today I’m taking a look at the Taco Bell Volcano menu. It’s not new, but rather a reinvention of a cult classic that has seen several iterations since its first release in 1995. It made subsequent comebacks in 2008, 2016, and now once again in 2023, seemingly following a pattern of resurrection every seven to eight years.
For my review, I enlisted the help of my son Brandon and together we decided to delve into the Volcano Taco and the Volcano Double Beef Burrito. These two items are staples of the Volcano Menu, each promising an exciting kick from their special ingredient, the “lava sauce.” I should also note that the original 1990s Volcano menu also had Volcano Nachos, which aren’t part of this year’s promotion. You can, however, add the volcano “lava” sauce to any menu item.
We each ordered a combo, which was $8.49 for a taco, burrito, and medium drink. We also added an order of extra lava sauce for $1.
The Volcano Double Beef Burrito is a substantial offering that boasts a filling combination of ground beef, lava sauce, rice, cheese, fiesta strips, and sour cream. To my pleasant surprise, the burrito was satisfyingly hefty and packed with ingredients, defying my initial expectation that it might be a small, overpriced menu item. The combination of flavors seemed familiar, but the true star of the show – the lava sauce – wasn’t quite as prominent in the first few bites. Only after a deeper dive into the burrito did the heat start to emerge, but it was milder than expected.
An interesting observation Brandon made is the similarity of the Volcano Double Beef Burrito to Taco Bell’s Beefy Melt Burrito from their Cravings Menu, with the lava sauce being the only notable difference. While the lava sauce adds a unique element, the difference in flavor wasn’t as pronounced as I expected. Brandon felt like the fiesta strips added an appreciable crunch to the burrito, although I felt like they were slightly soggy and less crunchy than he reported.
Next up was the Volcano Taco. At first glance, it looks like a regular crunchy taco housed in a bright red shell. The ingredients are what you’d find in Taco Bell’s standard taco with the addition of the lava sauce. Upon tasting, the taco initially seemed to provide less heat than the burrito, but things quickly heated up when Brandon and I decided to slather our tacos with additional lava sauce. The result was an explosion of flavor and heat that truly embodied the spirit of a “volcano” dish. It was a testament to the fact that the lava sauce is the heart of this meal – the creaminess and heat it adds make all the difference.
Speaking of the lava sauce, it’s worth noting that this sauce alone is a winner. It has a certain creaminess coupled with a perfect level of heat that doesn’t overbear your tastebuds. It resembles a spicy queso dip that would pair well with any snack like pretzels or chips. But inside the burrito and taco, it seemed to play a subtle supporting role rather than the lead it deserves. As such, when ordering, we recommend asking for extra lava sauce and smothering your food with it!
Between the Volcano Taco and the Volcano Double Beef Burrito, the taco emerged as our favorite. The burrito, though delicious, had too many ingredients that seemed to overshadow the lava sauce. The taco, on the other hand, allowed the sauce to shine.
The Volcano Menu’s ingenious approach took two standard Taco Bell items, spiced them up with lava sauce, and marketed them under a new banner. While the strategy may be simple, the result is an enjoyable meal that is worth trying – especially for those who enjoy a kick of heat in their food. Remember, when ordering, go for that extra lava sauce. It truly makes the meal.
Despite a few shortcomings, the Volcano Menu at Taco Bell managed to exceed our expectations. Will I order again? Quite likely. But next time I’ll be sure to ask for my meal to be slathered in that mouthwatering, heat-packed lava sauce. Until then, I look forward to the next culinary adventure Taco Bell has in store for us.
If you’ve tried either or both items from the Taco Bell Volcano Menu, let me know what you think in the comments below. Here’s to many more flavorful explosions and delicious ‘liquid hot magma’!