Review: Taco Bell - Triplelupa

Taco Bell's Triplelupa features three mini Chalupas stuck together end-to-end and filled with the standard combination of seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and shredded 3-cheese-blend plus a different flavor for each: the mini Chalupa at one end comes with warm nacho cheese (Nacho Cheese), while the one at the other end comes with creamy Chipotle sauce (Chipotle), and the one in the middle gets a combination of both sauces (Cheesy Chipotle).

I actually tried this during testing but thought I'd see how it turned out logistically (I got this one to-go) and paid $3.89 (the suggested price is $3.49 but prices tend to be higher here in California).

When I first tried it, the Triplelupa came in a clamshell box that kept it upright and intact. The one I purchased was wrapped up in foil-lined paper and had a protective cardboard spine to keep it from tearing apart prematurely. The box was the better way to go as with the paper,the fillings leaked or steamed and left the sides of the chalupa shell a little wet (but still somewhat crisp!). The spine was folded in a "v" rather than a "u" and therefore couldn't hold the Triplelupa upright, which meant the fillings were more prone to fall out and make a mess, especially as I was tearing the mini Chalupas apart from each other. Basically, the test Triplelupa I tried last year was more less messy and more convenient to eat.

Beyond the packaging, each mini Chalupa offered the signature Taco Bell and tasty combination of seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheese, and tomato. Of note, was a good amount of beef (the Triplelupa includes a double portion of beef versus a regular Chalupa) and the tomatoes actually tasted like tomatoes (usually they taste like nothing).

The saucing was plentiful but not excessive. The nacho cheese sauce offered a touch of heat and mild, creamy cheese flavor, while the creamy Chipotle sauce offered a creamy, smoky flavor with a little more heat and just a slight tang. They're both regularly offered on the menu so it's more of a slight variety then anything new.

Overall, Taco Bell's Triplelupa delivered much of the same experience as the regular Chalupa Supreme (which is pretty nice in my book) but in a more shareable (and gimmicky) form and a little more to clean up.

Nutritional Info - Taco Bell Triplelupa
Calories - 610 (from Fat - 310)
Fat - 35g (Saturated Fat - 8g)
Sodium - 1110mg
Carbs - 52g (Sugar - 5g)
Protein - 22g