My baby brother came into this world on Jan. 15, 2007. My only memory related to this event is eating a 7-Layer Burrito from Taco Bell in the hospital room.
Anecdotes aside, I was devastated when, in August 2020, the fast food chain pulled the plug on the 7-Layer Burrito. It disappeared along with a few other fan favorites, including the Beefy Fritos Burrito and the Spicy Potato Soft Taco.
A statement, issued July 2020, framed the burrito’s unfortunate elimination as part of a greater simplification effort that would pave the way for “even more innovation” on their menu. But 7-Layer Burrito aficionados like myself were unconvinced. After all, once you’ve reached the height of culinary brilliance, there is simply nowhere to go but down.
Much of the concern surrounding this issue revolved around whether or not the fast food chain would continue to innovate in the plant-based foods category. This was not my concern, however, even as someone who doesn’t eat meat.
In my opinion, Taco Bell still holds its de-facto title of most vegetarian-friendly fast food chain, especially considering that it still offers a myriad of vegetarian options. “While change is hard, the menu will still feature Taco Bell’s two original plant-based proteins, black beans and pinto beans, as well as tons of vegetarian options,” a Taco Bell spokesperson said in an interview with Vox. “Prior to COVID-19, Taco Bell’s second best-selling item across the entire U.S. menu was the Bean Burrito — a vegetarian item that will continue to stay on our menus after August 13.”
Despite their continued veggie-friendliness, however, the removal of their 7-Layer Burrito was unforgivable. There simply wasn’t a better item on the menu. The 7-Layer Burrito was filling and perfectly balanced, the lightness of the tomato, lettuce and guacamole contrasting beautifully with the denser flavors of the refried beans and cheese.
My issue is also largely sentimental. I have a habit of latching on to one menu item at every restaurant I frequent, ordering the same thing time and time again, never casting even a cursory glance at the other foods offered.
And, as evidenced by the anecdote I opened this piece with, I am remarkably consistent. I was 5 when my brother was born. I’m 19 now, with the same love for the same menu item.
Before August of 2020, I imagine that every visit I have ever paid to a Taco Bell has resulted in me acquiring a 7-Layer Burrito. It was predictable, easy. A welcome break from the chaos of life. The world could be crumbling to pieces at my feet and yet: I could still go to my local Taco Bell and pick up my favorite burrito.
And now it’s gone.
Perhaps I’m being dramatic, considering that the 7-Layer Burrito is still something you can get at Taco Bell. If you make enough customizations of existing burritos on the menu, you end up with something that is, effectively, a 7-Layer Burrito, just with a different name (and markedly more expensive).
It raises a ship of Theseus-adjacent question: is a Burrito Supreme that has had its defining components replaced still, in essence, a Burrito Supreme? Or is it a 7-Layer Burrito, because that is what it has come to resemble?
Regardless of the answer, the 7-Layer Burrito that can be acquired through various permutations of existing menu items and ingredients certainly doesn’t feel like the same item. It takes twice the effort to order, of course, but the dining experience is also somewhat tarnished by the offense I take on behalf of the admittedly non-sentient burrito at the fact that it is no longer a “legitimate” menu item.
It’ll be alright, though, I hope. We live, we love and we move on.