When the news broke that lettuce sold at multiple Taco Bell restaurants had been linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, I was suddenly flooded with texts.
"Have you heard!?" "Are you in the clear?" "This must be devastating."
People hadn't been this concerned about me since I was trapped at Burning Man in 2023!
The truth is, though, I wasn't too stressed about my Taco Bell habit. I've been reporting on the chain for six years and knew that there were plenty of lettuce-free options I could still enjoy.
Taco Bell knows this, too, and has been offering $1 deals on certain menu items — all lettuce-free — to thank its loyal fans and entice customers who might still be hesitant.
Last Wednesday, it was the Enchirito that got the $1 special. On Tuesday, July 28, it will be the Mexican Pizza — one of the chain's most beloved menu items.
I tried the Mexican Pizza for the first time when it returned in May 2022.
Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza features ground beef and refried beans sandwiched between two tortilla shells, topped with cheese, tomatoes, and pizza sauce.
My Mexican Pizza didn't have as much pizza sauce as I'd hoped, but there was a generous sprinkle of cheese and fresh tomatoes on top, and I could see some beef oozing out from the sides.
I also took a peek inside.
It seemed there was an even split between beef and refried beans.
The Mexican Pizza had a nice balance of texture and flavors.
The tortilla base was crispier than I expected, adding a nice crunch to every bite. The beef was nicely seasoned, and I loved the fresh tomatoes and pizza sauce on top.
My only gripe was that the beans and beef weren't mixed together. The beef was really prominent in some slices, but in others, you could only taste the beans.
I also decided to try the vegetarian version of the Mexican Pizza.
The veggie Mexican Pizza is almost exactly the same, except it only features refried beans between the two tortilla shells.
The vegetarian Mexican Pizza has a huge fan base as well.
I first heard about Mexican Pizza from my best friend Shivani, who was always ordering it when we went to Taco Bell in high school. For many years, I didn't even realize there was a meat version.
Shivani was among the many people I knew who were devastated when Taco Bell took Mexican Pizza off its menu, and she was the first in line for its return. When I asked Shivani what the Mexican Pizza meant to her, she said it's always been her favorite item at any fast-food restaurant.
"Growing up as a vegetarian, it was always tough to find food that was tasty and fulfilling — especially when it came to fast food," she said. "Anytime my parents asked if we wanted to eat out, my first thought was always Taco Bell."
The vegetarian Mexican Pizza had great flavor.
Thinking back to the '90s, the only vegetarian items I remember being offered at fast-food restaurants were french fries, salads, and In-N-Out's grilled cheese sandwiches.
But the Mexican Pizza is original, playful, and delicious. Now that I've tried it myself, I can see why it's so beloved by vegetarians — especially those who grew up before fast-food chains began embracing non-meat options.
I think the $1 Mexican Pizza will be a hit.
We'll have to wait and see if the cyclospora outbreak has long-term implications for Taco Bell. But the chain's fans have continued to pledge their loyalty online, and the $1 deals are sure to help.
And if Taco Bell is wondering what their next $1 lettuce-free deal should be, may I recommend the grilled cheese burrito?
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Anneta Konstantinides is a lifestyle correspondent at Business Insider, with a focus on food and travel. She loves taking readers inside Michelin-starred kitchens and exploring the world of fine-dining, and she's always trying to find the best Ina Garten and Gordon Ramsay recipes. Her second home is LAX, where she's often catching a flight and reviewing airlines.Anneta has also been reporting on the pageant industry for the last six years and has interviewed every Miss USA and Miss Universe winner since 2019. She was a finalist at the LA Press Club Awards for her investigation into the 2022 Miss USA scandal and was featured in The New York Times Presents episode "How to Fix a Pageant" on Hulu in September 2023. After graduating from UCLA with a B.A in English Literature and a minor in film & television, Anneta worked as a journalist in London, Sydney, New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. You can reach Anneta at [email protected].
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