My nephews love Taco Bell; it’s where they can walk to from the house, where they hang with their friends and where they can afford the food. If I completely zone out on what to get them for a birthday, a Taco Bell gift card was always my go-to gift. So when I heard that Taco Bell was going “upscale” that got my attention. They’re calling it “gourmet Mexican” and it appears they’d like to take a chunk of the  business away from places like Chipotle. Honestly, I look at the two as very different. Taco Bell is where we always headed after a late night, usually after some misbehavior on my part. I'm more prone to sitting down to lunch at other places. We’ll see the new additions starting July 5^th. And we’ll also see an increase in prices for those items. Who created these new options? That’s Lorena Garcia, who you might have seen on Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. Are we going to buy an upscale Taco Bell? I’ll say maybe. The tests they’ve run seemed to indicate women like the new menu options like the Cantina Burrito Bowl and Cantina Burrito, offered with chicken or steak, which will sell for nearly $5 apiece, along with a vegetarian option, also for nearly $5. I’ll say this much, I’ll give it a try and let you know.

   What do you think about what we’ve always regarded as fast food trying to take it to another level? It’s not always healthier or less expensive, but at least they’re trying to keep up. Send me your comments at ann.kelly@coxmg.com.

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM KELLY’S KITCHEN

The belly rules the mind.  ~Spanish Proverb