Taco Bell Blackjack Taco

Growing up, Taco Bell was one of my favorite fast food restaurants. My parents wouldn't spring for meals outside the home very often, but I could usually talk them into Taco Bell or Wendy's. In college, I would drive 30 miles into Idaho Falls to get my TB fix (until they opened the Rexburg location, with opening day line all the way back to Broulim's). While I was pregnant with my daughter in 2000, I got food poisoning from my Meximelt, and I swore off Taco Bell's food for several years.

Last year in Michigan, I was having a mad craving for nacho cheese, and pulled into Taco Hell on my way home from work. They had just introduced the Why Pay More? menu, and I ordered the (no longer available) 89 cent Cheesy Double Beef Burrito. I was immediately hooked. I started eating one every few days, and then branched out to other items. Then after a few months, I was really burned out on their food again, but haven't sworn it off.

On the way to the airport last week, I heard the Blackjack Taco commercial on the radio. It intrigued me, so I picked up some Taco Smell and gave the BJ Taco a try. The Taco Bell website describes it as

"A crunchy black taco shell filled with seasoned beef,  zesty pepper jack sauce, shredded lettuce and a blend of three cheeses – cheddar, pepper jack and mozzarella."

At first look, the taco itself felt kinda empty. Way too much limp lettuce. It reminded me of Halloween, with the orange cheese and black shell. The black shell didn't have any unique taste to it, just bland with not enough salt. There didn't seem to be much meat or zesty cheese sauce.  After my first bite, I didn't really want to finish it...but I didn't want to wait in line again so I ate it anyway. It was less flavorful than even a regular crunchy taco. I wasn't impressed, and I don't plan to buy it again.

Nicole Rates It....5/10

Nutrition Info – Black Jack Taco

Calories – 210
Fat – 17 grams
Saturated Fat – 4.5 grams
Carbs – 6 grams
Cholesterol – 35 milligrams
Sodium – 430 milligrams
Sugars – 1 gram
Dietary Fiber – 2 grams
Protein – 8 grams