A Whiff of Luxury in Taco Bell Shrimp Tacos

Published on Friday, March 25, 2011, by James Norton / Edit Post

Taco Bell Pacific Shrimp Taco

Taco Bell Pacific Shrimp Taco

I Paid: $2.59 for one taco (prices may vary by region)

Taste: 2 stars

Marketing: 2 stars

Taco Bell reveals a new item, shrimp tacos, in an apparent attempt to capture the high-end shrimp-eating market. Six shrimp per taco, people. Call Robin Leach.

James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster Daily videos, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. (Click here to see all of James's previous Supertaster work.) You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook.

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POST A COMMENT |14 Comments

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  • I loved the tacos here actually very tasty with that marinade sauce, it's something like close to 3 bucks for a taco, and close to almost 4 for a burrito, but i don't think they offer it any more, it's a slight seasonal thing i think. anyhow, i do like them a lot. but then again i also really like Taco Bell, it's my guilty pleasure as a hound.

  • Is it me or does shrimp at a Taco Bell not sound very safe?

  • I'd like to see Taco Bell require their employees to launder their uniforms maybe once a week or so. If they want to add a winner to the menu, can the shrimp and bring back the Bellbeefer!

  • I love Taco Bell, but shrimp on a taco? Eh, I'd probably give it a try.

  • Why is this not closed captioned? I am deaf.

  • I love the multiple viewing angles of shramp-eatin'!

  • After all the news about their beef being anything but, what'd you EXPECT them to do? Come out with a "Mystery Meat" taco? That'd be redundant!

  • These aren't new where I'm at and I have to say they are a horrible value. I agree with his opinion on them not being great but not awful either. The ones

  • I've had, however, are nothing short of a rip off. I got screwed and only got 4 shrimp, opposed to six, and the taco was all in all pretty anorexic looking. How hooked up you get is obviously a gamble based on the particular Taco Bell but I'd assume most will be stingy when they can. They're shrimp, not lobster, there's no reason something I bet I could eat 20 of should be priced at nearly 3...+READ

    I've had, however, are nothing short of a rip off. I got screwed and only got 4 shrimp, opposed to six, and the taco was all in all pretty anorexic looking. How hooked up you get is obviously a gamble based on the particular Taco Bell but I'd assume most will be stingy when they can. They're shrimp, not lobster, there's no reason something I bet I could eat 20 of should be priced at nearly 3 bucks a pop, ESPECIALLY at Taco Bell's quality level (low).-COLLAPSE

  • Anyone have any thoughts on why they're angling for shrimp as a "luxury" item? So weird. For me, it brings up memories of a cold supermarket plastic-domed round with bottled cocktail sauce in the middle.

  • I tried this a few weeks ago. Smells dead, tastes worse. Don't waste your time.

  • I too grew up when shrimp was considered at least moderately luxurious, but at this point it's about the cheapest seafood available.

  • It's a frikkin FLOUR tortilla, combined with TB's usually crappy sauces.
    Typical TB subversion of traditional Mexican food.

  • Yeah, for me Taco Bell died the second I tried a REAL taqueria taco/burrito.
    Driving a little out of my way and paying a little extra is well worth it.