[Editor's Note: Please note the date of this review. This is when this product item was under development and being sold in the Indianapolis area test market.]
What I Got: Taco Bell Shrimp Tacos $2.49
You can probably tell how this is going to go by looking at the pic. I saw the commercial yesterday and decided to stop by. I love fish tacos, but had huge reservations about Taco Bell’s interpretation of any seafood in tacos.
Six marinated shrimp, lettuce, pico and a ranch based sauce. First impression, where are the shrimp? I had to dig for them through the over-sauced taco. I pulled out three and set them next to a hot sauce packet so you can see the size. Wow, really small.
As far as taste, it wasn’t horrible, but it was close. Compared to a real dish fish taco, it was laughable, but I expected it to be worse. It was difficult to taste the shrimp by themselves because they were small and most of them covered in sauce, but the “marinade” tasted like any run of the mill bottled margarita/southwest flavored marinade.
Would I Buy It Again: No. For $2.49 and under, there are a lot of choices on the Taco Bell menu and 99% of them are better tasting and a far better value. If the shrimp were an honest size, it would be a lot better…though I am not sure it would save this taco.
I can’t find any nutrition info online, or any details for that matter. Wondering if this is a market specific launch?
-wibia
Tags: Food, Shrimp Taco, Taco, Taco Bell
I couldn’t believe how expensive the shrimp tacos were — and I think the Taco Bell I went to had a sign stating that there were 6 shrimp in each taco. I think I can see 5 in your photos … they look like the size of the shrimp that are in Weight Watcher meals!
There were 6, I think that one of them was afraid to be pictured inside such a lousy taco and then be posted on the net. I thought that it would be $1.75-$2.00 range.
Btw, did you like them?
I would think it had to be a test market type of item. When I type “Taco Bell Shrimp Tacos” into Google search, nothing comes up so this is brand new.
Someone that works in marketing once told me that Indianapolis was one of the better test markets so we get a lot of products to try before everyone else (example: Burger King ribs). I can’t remember why Indianapolis is considered a good test market, but it must be since we get all this stuff.
It’s because we rule.
By the way, I used to always be wary about mixing seafood with Mexican, but I found — via my old workplace and Chilis — that I LOVE shrimp in fajitas.
Not sure why that’s relevant. It’s probably not.
Carry on, don’t mind me.
This is a World Exclusive for WIBIA….I have seen/heard nothing about these until now. I just can’t imagine shrimp tacos to be popular…maybe they are ramping up for the season of Lent?
This is a serious exclusive. I can’t find ANYTHING on this.
They’ve got the shrimp tacos here in Crawfordsville (an hour west of Indy). And I just knew they were going to suck! They had the sign at our local TB about the six shrimp per taco, too. That price is ridiculous. I’d rather get shrimp fajitas at either of the two local Mexican restaurants.
Thanks for being the guinea pig on this one, WIBIA. Now I can spread the word that these are, in fact, horrible.
I didn’t order one. I was too scared. LOL
Indianapolis was one of the better test markets so we get a lot of products to try before everyone else (example: Burger King ribs).
Didn’t McDonald’s have a rib sandwich too? in the 80s/90s?
Those shrimp are tiny! I’ve had some shrimp sandwiches from restaurants (Po’Boy type of items) and the shrimp weren’t any bigger. I think there were just a couple more of them.
I thought the way the asian guy in the commercial was eating, open mouthed, chomping away like those clacking teeth, was thoroughly revolting. What was THAT about??
My experience was pretty much the same!
Except… I think they put ranch in mine. :\
Will never buy it again… lol.
Thanks for posting this
And I don’t know if this helps at all, but I bought mine from a Taco Bell in Sacramento, California.
I love shrimp tacos and shrimp fajitas! So I decided to give it a try, I mean, after all, how bad could it be? It had very little flavor, I felt like I was eating a lettuce and ranch dressing taco. The shrimp were extremely tiny and lined up with one touching another they barely covered half the taco. Naturally, this was taco bell so all 6 of my mini shrimp were clustered on one end. At 2.49 would I buy another? The answer to that is NO. It might have been ok if there were at least 10 shrimp of this size or 6 real shrimp, but as it was it was a waste of my money.
My husband and I both had them for dinner tonight. I love Taco Bell, but he normally hates it. We both loved the pacific shrimp tacos. The shrimp in ours was fat and had a great “pop.” Sauce was minimal, just right. Topped with their fresco salsa instead of glop. I can’t find any nutritional info on the web either, and I’d really like to know. They tasted healthier than a lot of options out there. We would definitely have them again. My husband said, “I could eat this once a week.”
I had my first Shrimp Taco at a location in Rancho Cordova, CA; it was AWESOME! I think I’ll go get a few for dinner tonite!
I really loved the tacos my shrimp were a nice size and it was packed with flavor. I would have then everyday if i could afford them. The price is unecessary……I LOVED THEM YUM YUM…………
Would I buy them again? HELL NO. Not unless Taco Bell is willing to include a 3-day dosage of Imodium, Pepto Bismol, and compensation for a doctor’s visit in the purchase price.
We have the shrimp taco priced at $2.99 in St. Louis. It is new to this area. I thought it was brought out to have a fish choice for the Lent season as they say it is here for a limited time. I liked it, overpriced though. Good option when I need a fish choice. Not sure about calories will check it out and get it next time without ranch dressing.
I can’t remember why Indianapolis is considered a good test market, but it must be since we get all this stuff.
I just learned this today! Indianapolis has one of the highest percentages of people with families who eat out per week, so many new restaurants start there.
As for shrimp tacos, I make them at home all the time. I LOVE shrimp tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, whatever. just love them. that being said, I would never be able to in good conscience eat shrimp prepared at taco bell. Especially when the picture looks that horrific. BLEH!
Just had a shrimp taco and it was so good. Had about 12 shrimp and the sace that on it (pico de gallo) was very good. I would def buy it again … I couldn’t belive how good it was in alabama. Back home in fl it was very bad. So. I guees it depends on where u are. At. My only concern is where did the get the shrimp.
The nutritional information is right on the taco bell website
..
http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/information
just scroll down to taco’s.. pacific Shrimp
my hubby is headed to get me one right now
@Amy: Check the date of the post. This review was done month’s ago when the product was still in test phases and not available on the website.
I love shrimp fajitas also, and I don’t eat red meat, so I wanted to try these. I also am following weight watchers right now, and thought they may be ‘better’ than the other things I like.
They were expensive, but I LOVED them! Sauce was not too much, and the pico was flavorful. The whole thing had a lot of flavor. Tasted like there was actually cilantro in there!
I have not tasted them and I will not try them. Why you ask. Because I work at the plant that processes the shrimp. And I see them everyday running the product. The shrimp is marinated in what apears to be regular taco bell chipotle sauce. They are then steamed then frozen, then resauced. My partner at work sent me a pic of one that he bought and it looked nasty.
Six (6) succulent shrimp -
They won’t even fill a tooth cavity –
What a joke -
For $3.99 –
It was my first time at Taco Bell –
Well the bell didn’t even ring and I’ll never waste my money on it again and maybe never go back begin a none meat eater.
I thought they rocked. Sorry. Mine was just really tasty, not at all fishy, and cooked perfectly.
Frankly, I was shocked.
The worst taco i ever had. It cost $3.63 with tax too expensive, and only 5 pieces of shrimp. Absolutely not worth it People!!!
I just got a review from my friend. As stated these shrimp tacos in CT are nothing as expected in the advertisements. The shrimps were a brown dingy color but were standard size. Maybe they decided to stop skimping on the baby shrimp here. The best part were the tomatoes on it and she said they really didn’t taste like tomatoes. The entire make up of the taco in the soft shell was of a mush like consistency and was not worth anything more than 0.99 cents.
Just had one in Michigan a few days ago, cost $2.79 I found that kinda expensive, but I LOVED it!
It’s the same tomato/onion/cilantro mixture they put in the grilled stuft burritos, which I already like. I didn’t find the shrimp got overpowered by the sauce at all. They were nicely seasoned with chili powder and lime.
Why would you take something thats good like T.Bell and make it something its not i.e. fish stand? I love TB but will not eat shrimp, fish, pizza or anything else thats not related to mexican flavoring. If i wanted this I know where I should eat at. NOT tacobell.
Horrible. Gross. Small. and way Over priced. If you like 6 tough salad shrimps, smothered in warm mayo laced with a thin layer of equally warm shreds of lettuce. Then this my friend is a must have. I do not know what region of the Pacific these shrimp came out of. I do however think they would make great bait.
The “Taco Bell Novella” commercial is at least amusing, though. (My wife & I find the commercial to be sufficiently cheesy to warrant frequent repetitions amongst us.)
I’m not quite sure if I’m sold on this entree, but I must commend Brad (March 18) for his poetic description of the contents of Taco Bell’s Pacific Shrimp Taco. I take my entrees very seriously, so being able to picture the taco in front of me when I close my eyes and open my mouth and imagine myself eating it is something I value. Thank you, BRAD.
It was horrible for the price……all that medley at the top of the taco made it even worst. I wasnt expecting something spectaclar but usually taco bell has some pretty good stuff, even their new stuff is tasty………this was tasteless.
I had Long John Silvers fish taco……….loved it
I’ve been thinking Taco Bell needs fish tacos and breakfast burritos for a while now (4th meal? how about 1st!). When I saw the shrimp tacos, I got all excited and went out that night to try some for dinner. They fell far short of my expectations — love the Bell, but the tacos tasted foul. Now I’m not so sure about wanting them to serve me breakfast.
$2.49???
They are $2.99 here in North Florida!
Will not but again…
Beyond Disappointing!
When I opened my Taco Bell Shrimp Taco, the shrimp were actually weeping. When I inquired “Why the tears”? The shrimp replied, that they were indeed embarrassed to be sacrificed to make such an awful dish. The pungent fatty acids contributed to rancid human body odor smell and it had the additional aroma of the combined essences of sewer, garbage dump and locker room. I’ve eaten Cleveland steamers that tasted better. Taco Bell…try again. Maybe a nice hunk of Fried Cod or Pollack, and much, much, less insipid sauce. Who did they to the taste tests with….Tea Party members? Sarah Palin?
i just tried this…its very simple.. nothing great- i did like that it was ‘grilled shrimp’ the sauce reminds me of whats in their burrito supreme (little kick of spice) overall i still have to say del taco is better when it comes to fish/shrimp tacos. also the tacos are well prepared. probably even more worth your buck.
I decided to try one for the first time recently. The shrimp was a decent size and tough, but the texture didn’t bother me. With hot sauce to compliment what it came with, I was tasting it for hours onward. I liked it overall, but for $3.00 plus tax, it’s not worth the money.