The restaurant chain builds demand by teasing the return of popular items and putting a time limit on current best-sellers. Two brand-new LTOs are also in test . . . .

The cheesy quesadilla-burrito hybrid known as the Quesarito has an expiration date of April 19, but starting in a week, three other popular items return to the menu nationwide and two others in select markets.

Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell on Thursday welcomes back the Double Steak Grilled Cheese Burrito, which first launched during the 2022 holiday season. The generously stuffed burrito is filled with a double portion of grilled marinated steak, seasoned rice and the chain’s unique sauces, all rolled up in a flour tortilla. It’s topped with a triple blend of cheeses—cheddar, mozzarella and pepper jack—then grilled to form a crispy cheese crust.

It’s selling systemwide for $3.49 at Taco Bell’s 7,700-plus U.S. locations.

Joining the burrito is the Bacon Club Chalupa, also returning to the national menu for a limited time. This spin on the classic Chalupa features grilled chicken, bacon, avocado ranch sauce, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and that three-cheese blend in the signature pillowy chalupa shell. Price is $4.99.

And rounding out Thursday’s nationwide debuts are two freezes—Blue Raspberry Breeze and Wild Cherry Breeze—updated with the addition of four tropical flavors—pineapple, mango, passionfruit and lime—in the base. The neon-colored refreshers go for $2.99 for 16 ounces and $3.19 for the larger 20-ounce size. During Taco Bell’s Happier Hour, which runs from 2-5 p.m. daily, the smaller size is $1.

Customers in Knoxville have an extra LTO in store. Taco Bell is testing its all-new Cheesy Chicken Crispanada, an empanada-shaped handheld designed to grab and go. The Crispinada boasts a pastry shell filled with chicken and a bold blend of cheeses that’s then folded over and fried to create a crisp shell. It’s priced at $3.49.

And rounding out the introductions are $2 Double Stacked Tacos, coming to restaurants in Birmingham, Ala. The tacos mix textures by wrapping a crunchy taco shell with a soft tortilla and filling it with layers of beef, cheese, creamy sauces and lettuce. Three varieties are on offer: Nacho Crunch, Cheesy Chipotle and Sweet Scorpion.

Taco Bell is notorious for building excitement with very limited time offers, such as Mexican Pizza and Nacho Fries, as well as funky combos like the Big Cheez-it Tostada, only to take them off the menu soon after. It’s proven a winning strategy for the chain, with cult followers drumming up support on social media and signing petitions to bring back favorites. Mexican Pizza is now on the permanent menu since September, and U.S. same-store sales rose 11% in the fourth quarter of 2022. – Source: Restaurant Business.