Taco Bell is bringing back its signature Nacho Fries beginning April 25 and they’ll be available through most of the summer for the offering’s longest menu run ever. This time around will also include a partnership with Portland, Oregon-based hot sauce company Secret Aardvark for the brands’ newly created Serrabanero Ranch Sauce, made from green tomatoes, roasted tomatillos serrano and green habanero peppers blended with ranch. The Secret Aardvark Nacho Fries, seasoned with Mexican spices and topped with slow-roasted chicken, a three-cheese blend, reduced-fat sour cream, nacho cheese sauce, and pico de gallo, will be available for a limited time for $4.99.
Secret Aardvark is latest company to forge a partnership with Taco Bell in recent years. Last year, Taco Bell teamed up with Texas-based Yellowbird to roll out Yellowbird Nacho Fries with that company’s spicy habanero ranch sauce. Taco Bell also partnered with Southern California-based Truff’s to add its Hotter Hot Sauce to Nacho Fries for a limited time.
During a recent interview, Liz Matthews, Taco Bell’s chief food innovation officer, said such collaborations “have to be worth it.”
“We’re not just going to work with anybody. The partnerships we’ve done, we knew the team as people and loved what they did, and they loved what we did. That’s when you get really beautiful collaborations. It’s not a process, but more like starting a friendship to see if you like each other and then growing that relationship over months,” she said.
Nacho Fries just happen to provide a suitable canvas for such collaborative innovations, and they also provide a stout audience; the menu item was initially introduced in 2018 and quickly became the chain’s most successful new product launch ever. The fries are part of one in four orders at the chain and their success has inspired Taco Bell to introduce iterations like this one.
“We’re thrilled to bring back fan-favorite Nacho Fries for their 11th return, in a whole new way, with an extra flavorful partnership with Secret Aardvark,” Matthews said in a statement. “Secret Aardvark’s dedication to bold flavors and culinary innovation makes them the perfect partner for Taco Bell and our iconic Nacho Fries. Together, we’re taking flavor exploration to new heights, ensuring our fans experience the ultimate taste sensation with every bite.”
To mark the launch, the companies have also teamed up with Portland-based artist Bryce Wong for a “Tuesday Drop” for 300 Fire! Tier rewards members on April 23. Those members are encouraged to visit the app on that day for more information.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]