Taco Bell is set to introduce its own twist on a popular menu item from Chipotle. The fast-food chain announced it will roll out Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupas, starting on October 31. This limited-time offering will be available at select locations in Minneapolis.
The Chicken Al Pastor item from Chipotle, which debuted in 2023 and returned the following year due to high demand, has inspired Taco Bell’s new creation. Taco Bell often uses pilot launches like this to test customer interest before deciding to expand offerings to a wider audience.
Traditionally, Al Pastor is a Mexican dish made with marinated, spit-grilled pork served in tacos. Both Chipotle and Taco Bell have adapted this classic by using chicken instead. Chipotle’s version features grilled chicken marinated in a mix of morita peppers, ground achiote, pineapple, lime, and cilantro. In contrast, Taco Bell’s Chicken Al Pastor is made from slow-roasted Cantina Chicken marinated in a sweet and savory blend of chiles and pineapple.
For the Chicken Al Pastor Street Chalupas, Taco Bell wraps its marinated chicken with fresh onions and cilantro in two street-sized Quesalupa-inspired shells. This differs slightly from another recent Taco Bell item, the Cheesy Street Chalupas, which featured similar ingredients but included a choice of protein in chalupa shells filled with melted cheese.
Looking ahead, Taco Bell plans to expand its Al Pastor offerings. The chain hinted at future menu items such as quesadillas, burritos, and bowls, with testing expected to begin in 2025.
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