Skip to content
Riot Fest
Tickets
Search
  • 2026 EARLY BIRD TICKETS
  • 2026 Festival
    • Tickets
    • Lineup
    • Payment Plans
    • Photos
    • FAQ
    • Hotels
    • Lockers
  • Merch
  • Upcoming Shows
  • Community
    • Beyond the Fest
    • Events
    • Community Tickets
    • Local Hiring
    • Park Cleanups
    • Vendor Workshop
    • Community Update
  • Search
We Tried The Taco Bell Naked Chicken Chalupa So You Don’t Have To

We Tried The Taco Bell Naked Chicken Chalupa So You Don’t Have To

January 26, 2017 (December 6, 2022) // Riot Fest

IMG_5384
The day is finally here, the “Naked Chicken Chalupa” is finally available nationwide and the Riot Fest staff decided to test them out so you don’t have to.

What is a “Naked Chicken Chalupa”? We’re glad you asked. It’s a regular Chalupa that has a taco shell made out of fried chicken. For just $2.99, you will get a four-ounce fried and breaded piece of white meat chicken that has magically been formed into the shape of a taco shell. It is then filled with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and avocado ranch sauce.

According to Taco Bell President Brian Niccol, you literally asked for this, “Fried chicken is growing at a tremendous clip. It’s a real void on our menu, and it’s something that our customers ask us for.”


Riot Fest Staff Naked Chicken Chalupa Reviews:

Daniel W. / Riot Fest Graphic Designer:

First bite: This tastes like a Market Day chicken patty, circa 1993. I have been transported, but not exactly in a “Ratatouille” way.

Second bite: It’s not as greasy as I thought it would be. Oooh that spice! Nice kick!

Third bite: Wait what’s in the middle of this thing? There’s no meat? So it’s…a “U” shaped chicken patty with…lettuce, tomato, and sour cream?

Fourth bite: These toppings are getting kinda soggy.

Fifth bite: This could really use some ground beef or steak. The shell is already a chicken patty. Why not just go full Double Down?

Sixth bite: Got any more?

 

Christina K. / Marketing:

There are so many reasons I’m a vegetarian, but the existence of this chalupa may have jumped to the top of the list.

 

Jennifer M. / HR:

Tastes like…every mediocre chicken patty I’ve ever had filled with generic taco toppings and a mystery sauce, but I don’t hate it. Reminds me of simpler, surer times, when I knew that every Wednesday, we could expect chicken patty sandwiches in the cafeteria, whether we liked it or not. Just like those chicken sandwiches, we did not choose this chalupa, but we ate it anyway.

The Naked Chicken Chalupa is like… if Chicken Patty Wednesday and Taco Tuesday were a vodka-drunk stoner couple on a low carb diet.

“This avocado ranch REALLY mellows out the spiciness of the breaded, mechanically separated chicken, don’t you think?”

“Totally, man. Can you toss me another Fire sauce?”

And just like every. other. single. time I eat Taco Bell, that old familiar feeling of equal parts regret and satisfaction is settling in, nestled firmly in my gut. Classic.

 

Buck F. / Talent Buyer:

As a huge fan of Taco Bell I’d put this towards the bottom of my, “I’ll have 6 of those, please!” list. And while it’s merely a happy coincidence, I’m very grateful for taking Imodium right before ingesting one of these.

 

Riot Fest Twitter Lady:

It reminds me of a generic fast food chicken sandwich but without the bun and not enough mayonnaise. It didn’t taste bad, but it didn’t taste great. It didn’t even really taste like a taco at all and could definitely could use some taco season. I haven’t crapped my pants yet but I do have some wicked heartburn. Also, it’s been an hour and I can still taste it. It’s like the Malort of fast food. 6/10 would eat again if I was drunk

 

Riot Mike / The Boss: Riot Mike refused to eat one. He took one look at it, shook his head, muttered “only in America”, and walked away.

 

[bs_col class=”col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-4″]

IMG_5386
Daniel

[bs_col class=”col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-4″]

IMG_5387
JENNIFER

[bs_col class=”col-xs-12 col-sm-12 col-md-4″]

IMG_5392
BUCK

IMG_5389

The Related Rabbit Hole

RIP Taco Bell Naked Chicken Chalupa Taco Bell Has A Taco Shell Made Out Of Fried Chicken Taco Bell Is America’s Favorite “Mexican Restaurant”
About The Author
Riot Fest

Punk Rock (& more) Music Fest | I'm sorry we didn't book the exact bands you wanted, in the exact order you wanted, in the exact location you wanted, for free. September 19-21, 2025.

Posted in Chicago, Food + Drink, NewsTagged chalupa, heartburn, idiocracy, naked chicken chalupa, riot fest staff, Taco Bell, tacos

Post navigation

  Previous PostNext Post 
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Spotify
Riot Fest Tickets
Upcoming Shows Playlist
Riot Fest Presents Shows
Dec. 4, 2025
The Salt Shed Indoors (Shed)
Hot Mulligan

Hot Mulligan

Drug Church

Arm’s Length

Anxious

Low Tickets(Opens in new window).
Hot Mulligan
Dec. 5, 2025
The Salt Shed Indoors (Shed)
Hot Mulligan

Hot Mulligan

Drug Church

Arm’s Length

Anxious

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Hot Mulligan
Dec. 5, 2025
Metro Chicago
The Lawrence Arm’s 11th Annual War on X-Mas

The Lawrence Arm’s 11th Annual War on X-Mas

Samiam

Cadillac Blindside

Tickets(Opens in new window).
The Lawrence Arm’s 11th Annual War on X-Mas
Dec. 5, 2025
Sleeping Village
King Mala

King Mala

Tickets(Opens in new window).
King Mala
Dec. 6, 2025
X-Ray Arcade
Samiam

Samiam

Avenues

Hello Face

Tickets(Opens in new window).
Samiam
Dec. 6, 2025
Concord Music Hall
PVRIS

PVRIS

Dua Saleh

Tickets(Opens in new window).
PVRIS

MORE SHOWS

Greatest Hits


  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Spotify
  • Mail

NEWSLETTER — FAQ — CONTACT — HISTORY

InstagramTwitterYouTubeTikTokFacebook

Copyright © 2025 Riot Fest Corporation. Privacy Policy.

Search for:

Send me emails so I don’t have to go to your website anymore.