Review: Taco Bell’s Nacho Fries Are a $1 Disappointment | Eater

"Presented as the chain’s first nationwide fries, nacho fries were rolled out with a splashy Bowery theater launch and immediate retail availability at a New Jersey mall. The combo pairs relatively thick, fairly crisp fries—dotted with visible red flecks billed as "Mexican spices" but lacking cumin, oregano, or chile heat and with an interior like instant mashed potatoes—with a bright, surreal-yellow nacho cheese dip that is thin, forms an unscoopable skin when warm, and tastes more processed than culinary. The sauce’s ingredient profile (processed dairy/oil components and additives including colorings) contributes to its chemically muted character. A loaded variation treats the fries like nachos—topped with seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes and optional guacamole—with the beef, guacamole, and squeeze-packet sauces (mild, hot, “fire,” and “diablo”) making the dish notably more palatable. Priced as a bargain on the dollar menu, the offering feels like a marketing maneuver to menace hamburger chains rather than a lasting culinary breakthrough, so its long-term popularity is doubtful." - Robert Sietsema