I Tried Taco Bell’s New Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito — And It Totally Surprised Me

When cool fall days hit, I’m all about eating comfort food, like soups and mac and cheese; anything that feels like a warm hug. But when I say “warm,” I do not mean “spicy” — I’m not the kind of person who adds hot sauce to anything. So when Taco Bell dropped a new Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito, I was conflicted. It had the promise of melted cheese grilled right onto the outside of a burrito, but it also came with a high spice level.  

Ultimately, the pull of gooey cheese won out, and I had to try this fiery new menu item to see if it’s a good mix of comfort and heat.

This latest Taco Bell creation is part of the chain’s Luxe Cravings lineup and officially hit menus nationwide on October 16. The Flamin’ Hot Grilled Cheese Burrito features new Flamin’ Hot Rice, which is seasoned with Fritos Flamin’ Hot Chips and a mix of red pepper, garlic, cheddar, and lime. Inside, it’s loaded with seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, sour cream, and chipotle sauce. On the outside, it’s wrapped in a tortilla covered with grilled cheese — easily the burrito’s biggest selling point.

You can order it on its own or as part of Taco Bell’s $9 Discovery Luxe Cravings Box. The box definitely gives you more value (and comes with a drink for a break from the heat if you need one), but I wanted to see how the burrito held up solo. 

I paid $6.39 for the burrito — no drink (big mistake) or extra Taco Bell sauce, and while I do think that price is a bit steep for a regular-sized burrito, it was actually pretty filling. 

When I opened the wrapper, I honestly wasn’t blown away by how it looked. It’s a decent size, but it’s not the most photogenic burrito. Still, it smelled good — cheesy and a little smoky, but not overly spicy. That grilled cheese layer on the outside was instantly a win for me. I love cheese, even though my stomach disagrees about 50% of the time.

The first bite tasted like a regular Taco Bell burrito, but after a few more bites, the heat kicked in. It wasn’t overwhelming, just a slow, steady burn that somehow compelled me to keep eating instead of reaching for water. The sour cream and cheese balanced it perfectly, so it never tipped into “help, I need milk” territory.

I’d describe the spice level as having a kick without destroying your taste buds, and the Flamin’ Hot Rice is a step up flavor-wise compared to regular rice. Of course, the cheese helps solidify this as a comfort food, with the grilled cheese exterior giving it a unique twist. 

I wish my burrito had more of the Fritos Flamin’ Hot Chips that were supposed to be inside. I caught maybe one or two, but otherwise, they got lost in the mix. It didn’t ruin the flavor, but it did make the texture a little one-note.

If you’re someone who usually avoids spicy food (hi, it’s me!), this burrito is the kind of heat you can actually enjoy. But if you’re a true spice chaser, you might think it’s pretty mild. 

Overall, I’m happy I traded in my regular Crunchwrap to try something new. If I order it again, I’ll probably get the $9 Luxe Cravings Box to add a drink and some extras — my usual Baja Blast was sold out (a betrayal, honestly), but I could’ve used something to cool things down between bites.