Chalupa has a long history as a traditional Mexican cuisine. Since Taco Bell adds Chalupa to its menu in 1999, it has become more and more popular nationwide. Taco Bell also launch new products based on Chalupa to get more attention, for example, Naked Chicken Chalupa. Now let’s step into the world of Chalupa.
A Brief History of the Chalupa
Unfortunately, you probably associate chalupas with fast food and Mexican restaurants. Don’t feel bad; fast food restaurants advertise their version of this traditional food with millions of dollars each year.
According to Taste Atlas, “the first written mention of chalupa dates back to 1895 in Despite the fact that the dish is thought to have originated in pre-colonial times in Mexico.” The fried bread takes its name from the boat called the chalupa, which is canoe-like and to which the bread bears a resemblance once cooked. Chalupas are traditionally from the southern central region of Mexico, but they are now enjoyed far and wide
Taco Bell Chalupas Differ from Authentic Varieties
Like the rest of Taco Bell’s menu, their Chalupas are American-ized, fast-food-ized interpretations of Mexican dishes. For instance, Cheesy Gordita Crunches aren’t exactly authentic, but they may have had some real inspiration… just wrapped in more layers of taco shell and smothered in more cheese. Similar to Chalupas, TB has undoubtedly reinvented them for an American audience even though they aren’t entirely different from the original dish.
According to Garlic and Zest, a “chalupa” is the Chalupas are a type of boat in Spanish, and when the edges are slightly rounded, they create a vessel for the tasty ingredients inside that resembles a boat or ship’s hull. These shells are made from masa, a dough created from a mixture of masa harina and water — masa harina is a flour made from ground hominy or dried corn kernels, writes The Kitchn. Before being topped with cilantro, queso fresco, shredded lettuce, and meat, traditional chalupas are filled with salsa while they are still being fried.
According to Nation’s Restaurant News, Taco Bell made a significant alteration to the traditional Mexican dish when it introduced Chalupas at its locations in 1999. Instead, Taco Bell’s Chalupas are notably made from flatbread shells that have been deep-fried until they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They resemble authentic chalupas in that they are thicker and more doughy. They are then filled with meat, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream (according to Taco Bell), so it isn’t too dissimilar from the original.
The Naked Chicken Chalupa is Maybe the Most Popular
When the chain’s Naked Chicken Chalupa debuted in 2017, Taco Bell pretty much broke the internet. Then, it broke many people’s hearts by removing this highly anticipated item from menus that same year (according to the AV Club).
The Naked Chicken Chalupa simply swapped the doughy exterior for a fried chicken cutlet shaped like a taco shell, and was only meant to be available for a brief period of time. If you ask us, that is pretty brilliant. The thickness of the shell and the addition of the toppings of lettuce, tomato, and cheese are the only things that the dish has in common with a regular Chalupa. It’s one of those over-the-top, crazy items that gets people talking, but it actually tastes good too, so it’s really no wonder Taco Bell has had a hit on their hands with this one.
In May of 2021, the chain announced that they’d be resurrecting the Naked Chicken Chalupa once again as a way to keep up with the fast food’s industry “chicken sandwich wars,” yet while doing so in The distinctive way of Taco Bell. There may not be much that’s “chalupa”-y about this item, yet it’s arguably the most famous iteration on the Fans will be disappointed to learn that the TB menu has once again vanished, but we’re confident that this is not the end of it.
Related Reading: Taco Bell cheeses
There Have Been Even More Chalupa Reinventions over the Years
Although the most well-known variation is perhaps the Naked Chicken Chalupa, there are others as well. While the standard Chalupa Supreme is a menu staple, the chain seems to love popping in from time to time to tease a special iteration, only to remove it again and make fans even more excited when it returns. For instance, Delish reports that Taco Bell will bring back the Toasted Cheddar Chalupa in the fall of 2020 in an effort to appeal to cheese lovers. But with its second coming, the restaurant added a vegetarian choice with black beans (according to The Takeout).
The Quesalupa is another option. In contrast to the Quesalupa, which has a shell filled with ooey, gooey, melted cheese, the Toasted Cheddar Chalupa has cheese that has been toasted to a crisp finish on the outside. The Quesalupa first premiered in 2016 and showed up on menus again in the spring of 2021, with 50% more cheese, writes Thrillist. The Bacon Club Chalupa, another on-again, off-again favorite, made its most recent appearance in December 2020, according to a different Thrillist article. This sandwich is similar to a chicken and bacon sandwich, only better… because, well, Chalupa.
The much-loved dish is now even served for breakfast, albeit in even smaller quantities than usual. The French Toast Chalupa, which, you guessed it, had a French toast shell, was only available in a few locations (via Food & Wine). If Taco Bell wanted to bring that one back, we don’t believe anyone would object.
Taco Bell is Experimenting With a Plant-based Chalupa
According to Insider, Taco Bell is the best restaurant chain for vegetarians. Because all of the menu items are highly customizable and beans are offered as a protein alongside chicken and steak, the company has always seemed sensitive to dietary needs and restrictions. Ordering ahead online only makes it even faster and easier to basically build any Taco Bell dish from scratch to your liking. To give vegetarians and even vegans more options, the chain is still developing new products.
Food & Wine reported in June 2021 that Taco Bell was testing a plant-based alternative to the Naked Chicken Chalupa, simply known as the Naked Chalupa. The crispy chicken shell is said to be entirely plant-based, made from a proprietary pea-centric blend that’s crafted in-house. We are unsure if the Naked Chalupa will be a regular option in other places since it was only temporarily available in California. If so, it would join the Black Bean Chalupa as a way for people who don’t eat meat to enjoy this crispy, doughy treat.
The Nutrition of a Chalupa
Taco Bell offers a variety of helpful resources so people don’t have to give up indulgences when making menu selections as another sign of good faith for those trying to adhere to specific diets or routines. The nutrition section of the company’s website helps customers know where they can skip gluten, keep an eye on calories, avoid meat, watch out for allergens, and more. Furthermore, as you customize your meal, the Nutrition Calculator assists in keeping track of what you’re ordering.
350 calories, 18 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, and 0 grams of trans fat are in a standard Chalupa Supreme made exactly as is and filled with beef. It has 560 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, and 13 grams of protein. The Chalupa isn’t too bad if you compare it to standards like the Mayo Clinic’s estimation of the recommended daily intake of carbohydrates in grams.
By simply switching to grilled chicken, you can increase protein while reducing calories, fat, and carbs. A similar substitution with more carbohydrates and less protein would be black beans. Of course, there are virtually no restrictions when it comes to customization, making the Chalupa reasonably accommodating to adhere to any health regimen.
FAQs
Is Taco Bell Chalupa Crispy?
There is a regular drink and fries in addition to the fries. Chalupas are crispy and flaky on the outside, but soft and chewy on the inside, filling them with classic taco Bell flavors (seasoned beef, lettuce, tomatoes, and 3 cheese blend and sour cream).
Are Taco Bell Chalupas Unhealthy?
The bread shell is the biggest problem with the chalupa. It’s high in fat and calories, and it’s not very filling. So, is the taco bell chalupa healthy? It’s not the healthiest option, but it’s not the worst either.
Is Taco Bell Chalupa Corn or Flour?
It is made out of flour dough and a thicker kind of shell that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is almost like Indian fried bread which is topped with different toppings. My son is a huge fan of Taco Bell! He can eat Taco bell any day.
What Is the Difference Between a Taco And a Chalupa?
The main difference between tacos and chalupas is their shell. Traditional tacos are soft-shelled with corn tortillas. In America, the tacos have crunchy folded shells. On the other hand, chalupas are fried, rigid, and boat-shaped.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve tried these delicious Chalupas or not, I do hope you can have an enjoyable meal at Taco Bell. There are many options for you to choose, just find the most suitable and have one!
