As the cool autumnal breeze rushes into cities such as Abuja, Nigeria, and the rest of the globe today, August 14, 2025, Taco Bell is whipping up a storm of excitement with a menu that is all about traveling through time and little about diet. The fast food giant, a symbol of risky flavors and uncompromising imagination, has never been a playground for culinary innovation. And now, it’s jumping on its 61-year heritage in a big way: a lost menu item list is coming back, and with it, nostalgia for old-school fans and interest for newcomers. The “Decades Menu,” along with other fan favorites returning, is not just food nor is it just retro. It’s a party of memories, from dates to drive-thru late-night escapades. Let’s dive into this taste journey, reliving five iconic dishes that made Taco Bell history and are ready to spark your flavor senses this fall.
1. The ’60s Tostada
Kicking off the Decades Menu is the ’60s Tostada, a classic from Taco Bell’s original 1962 menu. This restaurant chain is simplicity at its best: a crunchy corn tostada shell loaded heavy with creamy refried beans, bold red sauce, crunchy lettuce, and a heavy sprinkle of shredded cheese. It’s a dish that became the foundation of Taco Bell’s Mexican-themed empire, providing serious crunch and classic flavor that transports you back to the days of early diners and fun-colored beginnings. Easy to prepare, and inexpensive, this tostada embodies the spirit of the ’60s, when massive bites and massive ideas coalesced in what was the height of communal living. Bring it back to your table for a flashback in flavor as alive today as it was more than a half century ago.
2. The ’70s Green Sauce Burrito
Well beyond the far-out ’70s, the Green Sauce Burrito comes back triumphantly as the decade’s “most-hacked” menu item. The burrito is a taste explosion, loaded with refried beans, crunchy onion, shredded cheddar cheese, and a bright green sauce composed of green chilies, tomatillos, jalapeños, and a hot seasoning blend. Its tangy, quite spicy character caught on, and fans waited expectantly for years for its return. The ’70s were all about rule-breaking, and this burrito is no exception to that edgy spirit of its time with its unorthodox taste and filling weight. Ideal for fall gatherings, this is a dish which reminds you to indulge in the unapologetic taste of a decade of fearless decisions and inimitable flavors.
3. The ’80s Meximelt
The ’80s Meximelt has returned, and it’s as iconic as the era’s neon color palette and bouffant ‘dos. A nostalgic cult classic that was the subject of hundreds of petitions for its return, this decadent treat comes topped with house-made pico de gallo, stringy mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheese, and beef, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. Its gooey, meaty deliciousness was an ’80s staple at Taco Bell, reminding everyone of weekend escapades and after-school shindigs. Returning the Meximelt is a tribute to the fans who’ve yearned for its cheese embrace, with the perfect texture and flavor blend that’s like a hug from the past. Bring it out this fall and relive the sunny spirit of the ’80s.
4. The ’90s Gordita Supreme
’90s kids, rejoice. The Beef Gordita Supreme is a throwback dream come true. This treat is a pillow-y flatbread stuffed with beef-seasoned meat, chilly reduced-fat sour cream, crispy lettuce, three-cheese blend mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack, and diced tomatoes for a burst of freshness. It’s a decade flavor that yielded to dial-up and boy bands, in tidy, tasty package. The Gordita Supreme was the winner of fast meals that were indulgent yet budget-friendly, and therefore a favorite of families and teens alike from the very beginning. It’s back this fall, calling out to nostalgia for the bright, uncompromising flavors of the ’90s, just right to enjoy with friends or alone under the autumn sky.
5. The ’00s Caramel Apple Empanada
The ’00s Caramel Apple Empanada rounds out the Decades Menu, a treat that won hearts upon its initial release in the Y2K era. Ready for November 21, the golden, crunchy pastry surrounds a toasty, comforting apple slice and smooth caramel core, providing a sweet respite from Taco Bell’s filling meals. Its return is a throwback to the early 2000s, a decade of bold trends and sugary indulgences. This empanada is not just a dessert but an escape, recalling late-night Taco Bell trips and impulsiveness. Serve it with a spicy taco for the perfect balance of spice and sweetness, creating the ultimate best treat to enjoy as the cool autumn nights drop. A Celebration of Flavor and Memory
Taco Bell’s newest menu comeback is a class act on nostalgia, balancing comfort through familiarity and excitement of discovery.
The Decades Menu, arriving October 31, brings the ’60s Tostada, ’70s Green Sauce Burrito, ’80s Meximelt, ’90s Gordita Supreme, and ’00s Caramel Apple Empanada back to menus, all less than $3 at participating restaurants for a limited time. These aren’t meals these are memory capsules, opening up memories of first loves, family trips, and late-night laughter. To go along with the Decades Menu, Taco Bell is bringing back Crispy Chicken Nuggets, marinated jalapeño buttermilk, and breaded with a tortilla chip-breadcrumb mixture, served with favorite dipping sauces such as Hidden Valley™ Fire Ranch, Bell Sauce, and Jalapeño Honey Mustard. The Dragonfruit Freeze, in its white-and-pink color and sweet, foreign-flavored taste, comes back to chill, while Volcano Menu blows up with spicy items such as the Volcano Taco and Double Beef Volcano Burrito, both topped with the Lava Sauce. Double Decker Taco and Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos complete this monumental return, demonstrating Taco Bell’s capacity to hear the people. This fall, Taco Bell asks you to own its heritage, whether you’re a pioneer or simply a newcomer.
In Abuja or wherever you may be, these retro classic favorites are your opportunity to relive the past and make new memories. Accompany your meal with the colorful energy of the season, grab a retro-tastic Decades Cup or hoodie through Taco Bell’s Rewards program, and blast into a Scottsdale, Arizona, time-machine activation on October 30 for a ’60s-themed ride. With earth-friendly programs like the Sauce Container Recycling Program and app-exclusive offers, Taco Bell makes it easy to indulge guilt-free. These flavors, from crunchy tostada to sweet empanada, remind us that great food like great memories never get old. So drive by the drive-thru, indulge in the nostalgia, and let Taco Bell’s bold, totally-addictive eats pierce through your fall.
