Taco Bell's Veggie Cravings Items, Ranked Worst To Best

Taco Bell is one of the most accommodating fast food chains when it comes to vegetarian cravings. The chain has an entire menu section designated to the dietary preference, which is incredible useful — I should know, as someone who's been a vegetarian for more than 30 years. But some of Taco Bell's Veggie Cravings items have universal appeal whether you're a vegetarian or not. From tacos and burritos to cheesy potatoes and Crunchwraps, there's a lot to try — and that's exactly what I did. 

After tasting the entirety of Taco Bell's Veggie Cravings lineup, I ranked the items from worst to best based on flavor, texture, quality, and price. A closer look at my methodology can be found at the end, but all in good time, my Mexican-inspired food-loving friend. Also, a quick disclaimer before we get to the results: When I dub some food items great (or a similar accolade), take it with a grain of salt. Premium quality isn't what the chain is known for, and I'm not trying to fool anyone into thinking it is. Plus, things can differ from location to location. Regardless, my insights should help point you in the right direction of what to order.

Taco Bell's Cheesy Roll Up was a complete disaster, so obviously it comes in dead last. It may only cost $1.59, but I wouldn't order one if it cost half that price. For starters, the cheese wasn't even melted in mine. Plus, the tortilla was entirely too dense once rolled up. It's a shame too, because I generally like Taco Bell's tortillas.

The Cheesy Roll Up reminded me of something I would make myself at home after a long night of drinking, but only if I didn't have any other ingredients lying around to stuff inside of it. While those types of meals have their perks, just like tasty '80s struggle meals, Taco Bell has a world of ingredients to zhuzh it up. Seriously, don't bother. It's basically guaranteed to let you down.

The first thing working against Taco Bell's Chips and Guacamole is that it's more of a side dish or appetizer. That's not necessarily a dealbreaker — I mean, I love a good app as much as the next person, but this wasn't that. The guacamole — if you can even call it that — was a disgrace. It was bland, way too smooth, and tasted more like mayo than anything. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't even any avocado in it. 

To top it off, the Chips and Guacamole cost $4.19, and I only got about a tablespoon of guac. Considering how low the rest of the menu prices are, that's laughable. The only nice thing I will say about the dish is that the chips were not bad, and that easily makes it a better pick than the Cheesy Roll Up. Still, that's not enough to make me order it again. I'll even ask for dishes without guac moving forward. 

A Cheese Quesadilla is simple and effective; it'll probably satisfy a picky eater, but it sure isn't anything to write home about. Plus, at $6.29 per order, it's one of the priciest Veggie Cravings options.

Taco Bell's Cheese Quesadilla features a mix of cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella cheeses and Creamy Jalapeño sauce. The tortilla looked nicely browned, so at first sight everything seemed on the up and up. However, I was sadly disappointed once I took a bite. Despite appearing grilled to perfection, the cheese inside was far from melted. Interestingly, this seems to be a common issue — so much so that there is a well-known hack to make the quesadilla better for no extra cost: Ordering it double-grilled. Too bad I didn't know about it before I went. Regardless, the sauce, which tasted a lot like mayo, wasn't ideal either. The configuration alone makes it tastier than the Cheesy Roll Up, but I'll still pass.

An order of Cinnamon Twists only costs $1.89, so they are priced right. As a result, it's easy to think that they would make a decent sweet treat after your meal. I wholeheartedly disagree, though.

The Cinnamon Twists had a decent amount of cinnamon sugar on them. Even so, they were extremely dry. If they came with a dipping sauce of some kind, like chocolate, caramel, or strawberry, these twists could have gone far on my list. As-is, they were nothing short of a letdown. My friend liked them more than I did, but there's another dessert option coming, and it blows these bone-dry, wannabe churros out of the water.

Side dishes like Taco Bell's Pintos N Cheese have a time and a place. They're great if you are trying to piece together a meal and want to add some beans to another dish. Even so, they won't really function as a stand-alone meal.

There isn't anything wrong with the taste of the Pintos N Cheese. It's the same ingredients you find in a long list of other dishes, after all. Still, I took issue with the fact that a side dish of them costs $3.19. That won't break the bank, but you can get about the same amount of beans and cheese in either one of the upcoming burritos for significantly less. If you really want a good helping of the ingredients, they make much better picks.

The Black Beans and Rice is not bad. I rated them slightly better tasting than the Pintos N Cheese, but to be fair, I tend to gravitate towards black beans in general. Regardless, they were juicier than the pintos, and they also had a pleasing onion flavor that they lacked. The rice was mushy, though, and that certainly didn't do it any favors.

All that aside, the Black Beans and Rice still don't constitute a complete meal, so 11th place is the highest I could go with them. For $2.19, you can purchase this side, but I wouldn't unless you really feel the need for some extra rice and beans. No spoilers, but if you go for one of the top-ranking dishes, that won't be an issue.

Taco Bell's Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce are miles ahead of the Chips and Guacamole.. First of all, at $3.29 per order, it's almost a dollar cheaper. Secondly, I got about double the amount of cheese as I got with the guac.

In addition to the price and quantity being superior, the cheese sauce was much tastier than the guac could ever be. I'm not trying to say it was top-notch, but it will certainly scratch an itch for a basic cheese sauce; it's similar to one you might get from the movie theater or 7-Eleven. That said, it tasted pretty artificial. I also detected a bit of the plastic essence I'm sure it picked up from its packaging. Thankfully, the tortilla chips were crunchy, salty, fairly sturdy, and super yummy. They were by far this little combo's most redeeming quality.

Ah, the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes. I struggled a touch with how to rank these. Let me tell you why. The potatoes were soft and crispy with a delicious Cajun seasoning. Translation: They are tasty, and there's no denying that. Still, the cheese sauce was (as we already know from the 10th place pick) lackluster at best. The sour cream was fine.

My main issue with the Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes was that it cost $2.99, or basically double what you would spend for the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, which (spoiler alert) you'll see soon enough. In addition, a side dish of potatoes with cheese and sour cream simply won't suffice as a complete meal. It makes a good add-on, but I needed more from my top picks. Even so, I would certainly order it again, maybe even just for the potatoes, sauce or not.

If dessert is a priority, the Cinnabon Delights are your best bet at Taco Bell. Honestly, they were pretty darn tasty, too. It didn't feel right to rank them much higher, though, because they are a collab, not a Taco Bell-specific option. Plus, when you go to the chain, you are almost always looking for an entire meal, not a small sweet treat. Regardless, these little dessert bites were yummy.

The Cinnabon Delights were super soft and thoroughly covered with a mix of cinnamon and sugar. Plus, after biting into one, I was pleasantly surprised to learn they were filled with a tasty, creamy icing. They were a lovely finish to a savory meal. You can also order them in two sizes: Two for $2.99 or 12 for $7.99. Either way, you sure could do a lot worse at Taco Bell. When it comes to sweet treats, you can't do any better, either.

Starting with Taco Bell's Bean Burrito, the time has finally come for us to start delving into the best Veggie Cravings menu items that feel more like a full meal rather than a side dish or dessert. Sure, you can order more than one, and many people do, but this is where the filling portions paired with good flavor and quality come into the equation.

Taco Bell's Bean Burrito is a classic menu option. At just $2.19, it's also cheap enough to make a fan out of just about anyone. Price aside, though, it boasts a large portion and yummy flavors thanks to the addition of onions. Load it up with your favorite Taco Bell hot sauce, and you've got a straightforward dish that is sure to satisfy. For an even tastier free upgrade, ask for it grilled. I didn't this time because I wanted to get a feel for it in its most natural state, but I've done it before, and it won't let you down. That's a lot of praise for the Bean Burrito, but trust me when I say it only gets better from here on.

Taco Bell's Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito is quite similar to the Bean Burrito, but it also gets the benefit of rice, Nacho Cheese Sauce, and Creamy Jalapeño Sauce. It doesn't contain onions, either, but with the other elements, they're not missed. It's got lots of flavor and enough texture to win just about anyone over. The tortilla is excellent as well. All around, it's tasty, and it has mass appeal for days.

The Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito only costs $1.59, making it a veritable steal. Actually, it is so cheap it'll have you wondering how Taco Bell remains so affordable. One thing is for sure, though: It beats out everything ranked lower in taste, texture, price, and quality. Additionally, if you add your favorite hot sauce, it's basically the ideal simple dish. Obviously, I enjoyed everything that ranked higher even more, but it's a solid pick for anyone, plant-based diet or not.

Not to be confused with traditional pizza, Taco Bell's Veggie Mexican Pizza consists of refried pinto beans sandwiched between two grilled tortillas. It is also topped with a blend of cheeses (mozzarella, cheddar, and pepper jack), Mexican Pizza Sauce, and diced tomatoes. Altogether, it provides a serious amount of crunch backed up by a mix of crave-worthy flavors, and I enjoyed it way more than anticipated.

A Veggie Mexican Pizza costs $6.29, and you know what? That's its only major downfall. The portion is large enough that you won't care too much, but if you are looking to mix and match several items, this dish might not fit the bill due to its heartier size and increased price. Even so, the flavors are all there. While not needed, you could also upgrade it by swapping out the sauce with Nacho cheese, just like people do with the meaty version of the dish. 

I could see myself enjoying the Spicy Potato Soft Taco many times again. It isn't nearly as filling as the dishes that earned a coveted top three spot, but at just $1.49 per taco, it sure is priced right. Actually, I'll most likely order two the next time hit the drive thru. That's how much I enjoyed it.

After my first bite of the Spicy Potato Soft Taco, I thought, "Oh man, that is excellent on every level." The Creamy Chipotle Sauce was fantastic, and the potatoes, well, they were fire. Plus, you also get a bit of shredded cheese and lettuce, both of which up the ante regarding texture and flavor. It is my top recommendation if you are looking for a value pick. I would still pair it with another dish because it certainly isn't the most filling option, but it has the flavor and texture needed to stand alone. A little hot sauce never hurts, but I'd say that about anything on the menu, so take that for what you will.

Traditionally, chalupas are significant to Cinco De Mayo, but at Taco Bell, it doesn't have to be a holiday to enjoy them. Thank goodness, too, because they are incredibly tasty, with the Black Bean Chalupa Supreme breaching the top three in my ranking. Featuring black beans, diced tomatoes, lettuce, a blend of cheese, and sour cream all wrapped up in a flaky flatbread shell, it blew the lower-ranking picks away in terms of uniqueness and quality.

At $5.79, the Black Bean Chalupa Supreme isn't the cheapest item on the menu, but I don't really care. It has all the right textures and flavors. While it is also quite messy, that is far from a concern once you get a few bites. However, the shell did not stay intact, and that knocked it out of the running for the top two spots in my ranking. My top positions were reserved for dishes that did it all and didn't have a single thing to complain about. That said, you can certainly do worse than this chalupa. 

My second-place ranking goes to a dish that leaves no stone unturned: Taco Bell's Veggie Bowl. Similar to a bowl you would get at a place like Qdoba or Chipotle, it has a little bit of everything placed together in a handy bowl. More specifically, it consists of rice, black beans, shredded cabbage and lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole (kind of, ugh), sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and Taco Bell's Avocado Ranch Sauce. Yeah, it's got a lot going on, but the flavors come together in expert fashion.

While the lack of a tortilla, taco shell, or tortilla chips may speak to people who want something with fewer carbs, I wanted some crunch or at least a bit more chew — something a tortilla provided. With this in mind, the Veggie Bowl didn't have what it takes to secure the top spot. Oh yeah, at $8.69, it is also the priciest item on the Veggie Cravings menu. Those are its only detractions, though — this item is tasty and filling, and it has just about every Taco Bell vegetarian ingredient in it. I should mention that the chain's website says it should come with purple cabbage, and mine didn't. Honestly, though, I doubt it made much of a difference. The crunch was still there despite the lack of more color. 

The big reveal has finally arrived, and the gold medal goes to none other than Taco Bell's Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme. Bursting with flavor and delivering a world of different delicious textures, it was everything I could want from a vegetarian Taco Bell dish and more. After tasting, I was actually kind of disappointed that I'd never tried it before. I truly felt like I had been missing out, and I couldn't care less that it was priced relatively high at $6.59.

The Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme features black beans, Nacho Cheese Sauce, sour cream, diced tomatoes, lettuce, and a tostada shell all folded inside of a tortilla. It's crispy, chewy, and flavorful to boot. Plus, why decide between a crispy and a soft shell when you don't have to, right? Thankfully, with this dish, you will never have to again.

I know I sound like a broken record at this point, but a packet or two of Taco Bell's hot sauce (my favorite is the Hot) really takes it to the next level. Compared to everything that ranked lower, it is a shining star — in the end, there was no other choice for No. 1. If you want the best the Veggie Cravings menu has to offer, look no further than the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme. 

I'm what you'd call a "lifer" when it comes to vegetarianism, so I was pumped to give all of Taco Bell's Veggie Cravings a try and rank them from worst to best. After all, fast food joints aren't really known for offering a wide selection of plant-based foods.

After buying and tasting every item on the Veggie Cravings menu, I focused on several criteria to sort out my ranking: Flavor, texture, quality, price, and how filling each dish was. While none of the dishes were blow-me-away delicious — perhaps that could explain why Taco Bell failed in Mexico? — the offerings that managed to score a top ranking excelled in terms of value (price in relation to quantity), had the best, boldest mix of Tex-Mex flavors, a pleasing balance of soft to crispy textures, and delivered the most quality overall. For the most part, side dishes and items that didn't deliver enough punch to my palate didn't make the cut.