Here’s How The Internet Feels About The Quesalupa

Last night, Taco Bell introduced its latest faux-Mexican monstrosity with much fanfare. (Including the sight-unseen pre-Superbowl orders.) The Quesalupa, a cheesy-looking fried thing, is supposed to be bigger than man-buns, Tinder, aliens, and even football. Or futbol? Or both, maybe. If you live under a rock and/or want to see the extended celebrity-studded commercial (including a longer cut of George Takei‘s sinister laughter) check it out below.

Whatever it is, it’s been in the works since at least spring of last year, when Brand Eating reported it was tested in Toledo. Back then, the rumored product was said to be, “basically a cross between a quesadilla and Taco Bell’s signature Chalupa,” featuring “melted pepper jack cheese stuffed inside of a flaky, crispy shell…seasoned ground beef, lettuce, cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, and tomatoes.” Fairly standard Taco Supreme fare, with a Chalupa shell and a cheesy surprise inside.

Nine months later and post-$5-million ad slot, the Quesalupa is being accused of being a ripoff of a taco gobernador (which is a Baja California thing that involves quesadilla or cheese-lined tortilla filled with seafood and salsa). But it does seem a bit different. Yes, its shell is two fried tortillas stuffed with melted pepper jack cheese (read: quesadilla), but it’s not stuffed with seafood — it is, as previously mentioned, filled with Taco Supreme ingredients.

Quibbles aside though, how is the collective internet reacting to the Quesalupa?

https://twitter.com/A_Mac1992/status/696751098862899200

So, okay. Mixed. Let’s take a look over at Instagram and see what people are saying there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBiLOqmjCPl/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBiKeVlrlYO/

Yep, Instagrammers are saying about the same thing.

The official Uproxx analysis of the social-media buzz is that the Quesalupa is pretty good, but could use more of that stringy queso as shown in the ads. That said, gosh darn it Taco Bell did a great job of advertising the thing, because, whether good or bad, tons of people are out there trying it out for themselves.

Now the question is whether that buzz will translate into lasting sales for Taco Bell. They’ve already declared the Quesalupa to be a limited-time offering. Will it go the way of the Chili Cheese Burrito and be lost to the annals of history? Or will it join the Doritos Locos as a permanent member of the menu? Only time, and consumer’s taste buds, will tell.