‘Choco Taco’ makes a comeback: How to buy a new version of the coveted ice cream treat

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — If you were saddened by the sudden discontinuation of Klondike’s Choco Taco in 2022, here’s some good news: A Portland, Oregon, ice cream maker is teaming up with Taco Bell to re-create the sweet treat, and you could soon have the dessert delivered right to you doorstep.

“This is the most delicious thing you will eat in your entire life,” Tyler Malek, co-founder and head ice cream maker at the Portland-based Salt & Straw recently told OregonLive. “We’ve been working on this recipe for a handful of years.”

It’s not an exact replica, actually more of a “cinnamon ancho chocolate taco” in a box, sold with a couple of dipping sauces. But the dessert is getting a big push from Taco Bell, which announced a Salt & Straw collaboration during its “Live Mas Live” event on Friday, Feb. 9.

OregonLive reported that the partnership started when the new CEO of Taco Bell, Sean Tresvant – who was once a Portland resident – cold-called Malek about the opportunity.

“The beauty of Taco Bell is that they can span every type of customer,” Malek said, noting that the fast-food chain has helped Salt & Straw develop new techniques to create a dessert ice cream taco shell that doesn’t get soggy.

“There’s a lot of food science that we had to do,” Malek said. “They really have this army of both chefs, but also food scientists.”

And while there aren’t plans yet for the dessert taco to be available at Taco Bell restaurants, the treat will be coming to Salt & Straw shops and the brand’s website this summer. There’s a $19 delivery fee, but the goods can be shipped directly to your doorstep.