Sunday, Nov 17, 2024

I tried Taco Bell's Beyond Meat quesadilla at the only place it's available in the US. The meatless 'steak' could've fooled me, and I now want to try it on everything.


Cassy Crabtree at Taco Bell.
Cassy Crabtree tried Taco Bell's Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
  • On October 13, Taco Bell introduced its new Beyond Meat Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
  • The vegetarian item has been added to its Ohio restaurants for a limited time, while supplies last.
  • Cassy Crabtree tried the quesadilla and hopes Taco Bell will make it a permanent menu item.
In February 2021, Beyond Meat announced a global partnership with Yum Brands to bring more vegetarian menu options to KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell restaurants.

Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown speaks before ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq MarketSite, May 2, 2019 in New York City. Valued at around $1.5 billion, Beyond Meat makes plant-based burgers and sausages.
Beyond Meat CEO Ethan Brown speaks before ringing the opening bell at Nasdaq MarketSite on May 2, 2019, in New York City.

Source: GlobeNewswire

Beyond Meat produces plant-based meat alternatives using ingredients like beans and wheat proteins without the added hormones and GMOs that traditional animal meat contains.

Packages of Beyond Meat products sit below Impossible Foods plant-based ground beef in a grocery store cooler case in New York City.
Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods products at a grocery store.

Source: Beyond Meat

The environmentally-conscious company has partnered with other quick-service restaurants like Del Taco, TGI Friday's, and Carl's Jr.

A view of the Beyond Meat Burger on display as Carl's Jr. & Beyond Meat partner for first-ever plant-based meat menu takeover on Earth Day 2021.
A view of the Beyond Meat Burger on display as Carl's Jr. & Beyond Meat partner for first-ever plant-based meat menu takeover on Earth Day 2021.

Source: Insider

In September, Taco Bell and Beyond Meat announced its first partnership item, the Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.

Taco Bell's Beyond Meat carne asada quesadilla
Taco Bell quesadilla made with Beyond Meat carne asada.

Source: Insider

On October 13, Taco Bell released the new plant-based menu item in the Dayton, Ohio, area, and said it would only be available while supplies lasted.

Taco Bell in Tippy, Ohio.
A Taco Bell restaurant in Tipp City, Ohio.
I was excited when I heard about the Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla. As a vegetarian, I wanted to make sure I tried it before it was gone.

Cassy Crabtree sitting inside Taco Bell restaurant.
Sitting inside my local Taco Bell restaurant.
The restaurant has a reputation for creating popular food items, then mysteriously dropping them from the menu (enter Nacho Fries and the infamous Mexican Pizza).

Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza.
Since Taco Bell is already a great choice for vegetarians, with options like the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme and the vegetarian Mexican Pizza, I had high hopes for the new Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.

Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme_Close Up
Taco Bell's new Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme.
I visited my local Taco Bell in Tipp City, Ohio (a suburb of Dayton). I've actually never been inside this establishment, but I wanted to get the full experience, so I went in.

Taco Bell in Tippy, Ohio.
The Taco Bell restaurant in Tipp City, Ohio.
It was a Monday night around 6 p.m. — prime dinner time. When I entered, I was surprised to see the restaurant completely empty.

Tipp City Taco Bell restaurant.
Inside the Tipp City Taco Bell.
The Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla was not on the Taco Bell mobile app, but upon entering the building it was the first thing I noticed on the menu.

Tipp City, Ohio, Taco Bell menu.
The Taco Bell menu in Tipp City, Ohio.
I placed my order using a kiosk inside the restaurant. I loved the feature that allowed me to filter to only vegetarian options.

Taco Bell kiosk.
A Taco Bell kiosk.
This new vegan steak was crafted with the signature spices that Taco Bell currently uses on its regular steak.

The Taco Bell add-on menu.
The Taco Bell add-on menu at the kiosk.
It cost $5.39, which is comparable to some of the other vegetarian options on Taco Bell's menu. For reference, the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme is $5.19. This price is for the quesadilla itself, no side or drink included.

Taco Bell kiosk.
A Taco Bell kiosk.
Taco Bell has always done right by a quesadilla, and this variation was no different.

Cassy Crabtree at Taco Bell.
I tried Taco Bell's Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
It didn't skimp out on the meat, either — there was some in every bite — and it added the typical blend of cheeses with a creamy jalapeño sauce.

Taking a bite of the Beyond Carne Asada Steak quesadilla.
Taking a bite of the Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
The vegan steak was marinated perfectly with just the right amount of spice. Vegetarian meats can be tricky when getting the texture right, but Beyond Meat nailed it. I could've been fooled that it was real steak.

Beyond Carne Asada Steak quesadilla.
The Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
I paired my quesadilla with Taco Bell's hot sauce for a little extra kick.

Beyond Carne Asada Steak quesadilla.
Taco Bell Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
In my opinion, this new menu item is right up there with the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme. The two options have very different flavors, but I think they're equally as good.

A bite of Beyond Carne Asada Steak quesadilla.
A bite of the Beyond Carne Asada Steak Quesadilla.
I also discovered that the Beyond Carne Asada can be swapped into any food item on Taco Bell's menu. I can't wait to try this on a traditional Soft Taco Supreme.

Taco Bell kiosk.
A Taco Bell kiosk.
I hope Taco Bell keeps the Beyond Carne Asada on the menu and adds it nationwide for all vegetarians to enjoy (Even my nonvegetarian husband gave the Beyond Meat quesadilla a thumbs up).

Outside of Taco Bell.
I'd come back for the Beyond Carne Asada at Taco Bell.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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By: [email protected] (Cassy Crabtree)
Title: I tried Taco Bell's Beyond Meat quesadilla at the only place it's available in the US. The meatless 'steak' could've fooled me, and I now want to try it on everything.
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/taco-bell-beyond-meat-carne-asada-steak-quesadilla-vegetarian-review-2022-12
Published Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:38:25 +0000