Taco Bell loaded fries

For a long while, many Americans have been jealous of the fries-with-cheese-and-toppings dishes offered at Taco Bells elsewhere in the world, but not in the United States. That’s all about to change, though.

From Canada’s Fries Supreme, Cheesy Fries, and Chili Cheese Fries to Japan’s loaded fries with cheddar and nacho cheese, beef, sour cream, and green onions to Guatemala’s fry menu and Chile’s fry-stuffed burrito, there have been plenty of french fry options elsewhere. Stateside Taco Bells have been sorely lacking in fries until now, though, and cheesy potatoes just aren’t the same. However, a Taco Bell spokesman told Business Insider this summer that they’d tested fries in the U.S. before, and that “we would never say never to testing them again.” It appears that day has now come. Brand Eating reports that at least one Taco Bell in Irvine, California is testing out various fry options:

Taco Bell is testing new seasoned French fries in at least one location in Irvine, CA.

French fries is something Taco Bell serves in several countries abroad but hasn’t served nationally here at home.

The seasoning was described to me by one employee at the location as a “habanero” seasoning that wasn’t all that spicy.

The new fries can be ordered alone or topped (“Loaded”) like Taco Bell’s Nacho Supreme, only without the beans.

The fries look to be selling at a price to encourage sampling: It’s only 50 cents for just the fries (75 cents if you want a cup of nacho cheese to go with), $1 for the Supreme fries, and $2 for the Bell Grande fries (which like the corresponding nachos, is simply a larger-sized order). It’s unlikely they’ll be quite that cheap if they make it to the national stage.

We’ll see if the fries find success and wind up spreading nationally, but for now, at least some Americans can enjoy them. For reference, if they’re anything like the Fries Supreme I’ve consumed in Canada, I recommend them; these aren’t gourmet cheese fries, but they’re a nice cheap mix of fries, cheese and toppings, not to be regretted (except perhaps by your arteries). Maybe some day Americans from coast to coast will be able to join the world in chowing down on loaded Taco Bell fries. For now, Irvine appears to be our only hope.

[Uproxx]

About Andrew Bucholtz

Andrew Bucholtz has been covering sports media for Awful Announcing since 2012. He is also a staff writer for The Comeback. His previous work includes time at Yahoo! Sports Canada and Black Press.