Taco Bell is a place where dreams come true. Gorditas become cheesy and crunchy, omelets become tacos, and Kit Kats become quesadillas.
But in the eyes of Blink 182 singer and bassist Mark Hoppus (not the guy who got kicked out of the band and is now an alien hunter; that’s former guitarist Tom DeLonge), Taco Bell has a fatal flaw in the world of fast food: It does not serve French fries.
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Never mind that French fries are, uh, not Mexican food. Neither is Taco Bell, really. But when Hoppus posited the following statement, he probably wasn’t expecting a response from Taco Bell HQ:
In addition to So-Cal-ified Mexican fare such as burritos, quesadillas, and hard- and soft-shelled tacos, Del Taco also offers even more wildly un-Mexican menu items than Taco Bell, including bacon cheeseburgers, milkshakes, chili Cheddar fries, and crinkle-cut fries. A consumer craving some sublime synthesis of both liquified nacho cheese and American backyard grillout fare might therefore have better luck at Del Taco.
Two days after Hoppus tweeted about his dilemma, Taco Bell responded with the following:
So… is Taco Bell about to roll out some Mexican Pizza Fries or Cheesy Beefy Doritos Fries or something?
MUNCHIES has reached out to Taco Bell for clarification on their cheeky remark to Hoppus, but has not yet received a response. However, in late 2016, Taco Bell did test variations of “Seasoned Fries,” “Loaded Fries Supreme,” “Nacho Fries” and “Nacho Fries Supreme” at certain locations in a couple of states, including West Virginia and California. They don’t seem to have expanded beyond a few franchises, but that doesn’t mean plans aren’t in the works to reintroduce a bigger, badder, Taco Bell-ier version of the fries—or another fry recipe—in the future.
While Taco Bell is a much larger chain than Del Taco—having 7,000 locations all around the world as opposed to the latter’s 551—Del Taco does have a loyal and enthusiastic following, especially in Southern California, where Blink 182 is from.
As for Hoppus and his indecision, he seems to have figured out a way to hack the system:
Taco Bell, if you’re listening, we’re not mad. We just want you to call home and check in.
