Taco Bell is testing a $3 Chili Cheese Menu
The menu features three items at the price point and is currently available in Louisville, Kentucky.
June 18, 2026
Taco Bell launched a $3 Luxe Value Menu in January featuring 10 items, five of which are new. Now the chain is pushing deeper into that price point with a $3 Chili Cheese Menu test in the Louisville, Kentucky, market.
The lineup includes:
Mini Chili Cheese Bowl: Seasoned rice, chili, reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo in a crispy taco shell bowl
Chili Cheese Burrito: Chili and cheddar cheese packed in a warm flour tortilla
Chili Cheese Nachos: Tortilla chips filled with chili, nacho cheese sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo.
Mini Chili Cheese Bowl: Seasoned rice, chili, reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo in a crispy taco shell bowl
Chili Cheese Burrito: Chili and cheddar cheese packed in a warm flour tortilla
Chili Cheese Nachos: Tortilla chips filled with chili, nacho cheese sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and pico de gallo.
The value environment has been accelerating since mid-2024 when executives across public brands began reporting a noticeable pullback among lower-income consumers. In 2025, many executives reported that middle-income consumers were starting to pull back as well. Still, the $3 price point has remained somewhat elusive as deals continue to pick up. McDonald’s added a $3 and Under Menu in April. In May, Del Taco came out with a menu featuring 11 items starting at $1.
Otherwise most quick-service value menus and meal deals have been in the $4 to $10 range, including Wendy’s Biggie Bags and McDonald’s Extra Value Meals.
National launches
Meanwhile, Taco Bell has also brought back its Enchirito nationwide, featuring a flour tortilla filled with seasoned beef, refried beans, and diced onions, and smothered in the brand’s signature red sauce and topped with melted shredded cheddar cheese. It is available for the suggested price of $3.99.
Also, Cinnamon Sugar Churros have been added to the Luxe Value Menu. Building on the success of Salted Caramel Churros — which ranked as the No. 2 top-selling Luxe Value Menu item during its run — the new features warm, crispy churros coated in cinnamon sugar. They are available for $1.99 for a pack of three.
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About the Author
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
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