Getting More Than You Asked For At Taco Bell

Let’s be honest, Taco Bell has made a lot of money marketing their product to the college and bar crowds. In fact, Taco Bell was the first fast-food joint to put a name to the late-night munchies that follow an evening of hearty drinking with friends. They dubbed it, ‘fourth meal‘, the meal that happens between dinner and breakfast. Like a nighttime brunch, but less classy.

They caught a lot of flack over their marketing campaign designed to make America fat(ter) by encouraging them to add a fourth meal to their diet. Taco Bell argued that they were just giving a name to a phenomenon that already exists. People were already coming in late at night to gorge themselves on cheap, cheesy, crunchwraps. Taco Bell simply observed people’s habits and started marketing to them. Despite the backlash, their marketing worked. Like a bat-signal for the intoxicated, Taco Bell signs lit up night skies nationwide.

If you find yourself enticed by the promise of a fourth meal, chances are pretty good that you’ve had a few adult beverages. Taco Bell is a classic post-party destination. But, what if the party didn’t have to stop because you were craving a double decker taco? It might sound too good to be true, but Taco Bell now allows you to continue the party on the level. That’s right, America’s favorite fast-food taco joint is now ditching the drive-thru and offering alcohol instead!

The very first alcohol-serving Taco Bell Cantina location launched in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago in September of 2015. After they confirmed their success of cutting out the middle-man and offering alcohol to their patrons themselves, they moved quickly to open locations in other major cities like Las Vegas, Nashville, and San Francisco. They even recently announced plans to open over 300 more alcohol-serving Taco Bell Cantina locations by 2022.

Taco Bell created a whole new vibe and atmosphere for their Cantina locations. They’re not the typical, sprawling, free-standing building with a drive-thru we’re accustomed to. Instead, the Taco Bell Cantina locations are usually sleekly nestled in between businesses on a busy thoroughfare. Their interior got a chic, modernized makeover, and they added a whole new shareable-appetizer menu. The idea for a Taco Bell that serves alcohol was definitely created with an urban environment in mind.

If you think about it, serving alcohol was actually a pretty brilliant way to get a Taco Bell with no drive-thru window to make sense. I mean, if you’re getting Taco Bell after midnight stone-cold sober, you’re probably shame-eating it in the car by yourself. Which is not nearly as profitable for the company as sharing appetizers and drinks with your friends inside the restaurant. Of course, there are no to-go options for the alcoholic beverages. Each location is even staffed with a bouncer to prevent people from leaving with any alcoholic drinks in hand. That’s right, multiple people have the job title of Taco Bell Bouncer.

Now that you’re caught up on the new alcohol-serving Taco Bell Cantina, let’s dish on their drinks. Of course, it’s not like a bar where you can order whatever drink your heart desires. You have a selective menu to choose from, so here’s the run-down on their drinks.

The Cantina Margarita is pretty much what you would expect from a chain-restaurant frozen Margarita. It comes with a traditional frozen margarita mix, blended with your choice of alcohol (Vodka, Tequila, or White Rum). We suggest the classic tequila combination. Taco Bell even uses high-end brands like 1800 and Don Julio at their alcoholic-drink serving locations. Keepin’ it classy, T-Bell.

Remember tropical punch? Well, the sticky, sweet, summery drink of your youth has grown up… and it’s delicious. Garnering some of the best reviews of any of the cocktails Taco Bell has to offer, the Cantina Punch might be the drink to beat. You can also choose from Vodka, Tequila or White Rum for this frozen drink, but we recommend the rum. They stay stocked with brands like Captain Morgan White, which gives this drink just the punch it needs. Taco Bell did a surprisingly good job keeping their tropical punch mix from being too sweet. The rum fills out the body of the drink to round things out.

Alcohol loving Taco Bell fans everywhere, rejoice — we have a very special treat for you. Taco Bell has turned their signature Mountain Dew Baja Blast into a frozen alcoholic delight. Granted, the sweet kick of Baja Blast is not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of the soda, you’ll enjoy the grown-up version even more. Offered with your choice of Vodka, Rum, or Tequila, but we suggest the vodka. The Cantina shelves are stocked with top-shelf brands like Ketel One and Skyy that give the Baja-Blast the extra boost it needs.

Alcohol loving Taco Bell fans everywhere, rejoice — we have a very special treat for you. Taco Bell has turned their signature Mountain Dew Baja Blast into a frozen alcoholic delight. Granted, the sweet kick of Baja Blast is not for everyone, but if you’re a fan of the soda, you’ll enjoy the grown-up version even more. Offered with your choice of Vodka, Rum, or Tequila, but we suggest the vodka. The Cantina shelves are stocked with top-shelf brands like Ketel One and Skyy that give the Baja-Blast the extra boost it needs.

A very exciting addition the Las Vegas Strip Cantina location was an extensive slurpee machine. Think 7-11 with an ‘add alcohol’ option. Patrons can mix-and-match classic frozen drink flavors like cherry, pina colada, or blue raspberry with vodka, rum, or tequila. Of course, Taco Bell staff are in charge of adding the alcohol, but customers do have the option to upgrade to a double (or even triple) if they want. Like the fast-food alcoholic equivalent of super-sizing.

Taco Bell Cantina locations also have a limited wine and beer menu. They usually have a couple traditional Mexican food pairings like Dos Equis or Corona on tap as well. But, the cocktails are really where these new Cantina locations seem to shine. If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to get some grub and grab a few cocktails, Taco Bell Cantina might be right for you.