The Taco Bell Cantina on the Las Vegas Strip is the latest in the chain's attempts to appeal to a higher-end audience with more upscale restaurants. Chicago and San Francisco already have their own Taco Bell Cantinas.
The biggest difference between this Taco Bell Cantina and your mall's Taco Bell is that it serves alcohol. There is a selection of beers, but the main event is the so-called "Twisted Freezes," which are slushies that can come with or without alcohol.
Even though it was lunchtime, I opted for a Mountain Dew Baja Blast freeze with a shot of Bacardi rum. You could also get it with a shot of vodka, or other liquors. You can also get frozen margaritas, or spiked lemonade freezes. This cost a hair over $10, so it ain't your cheapest option for frozen alcohol on the Vegas strip.
They also come in giant novelty souvenir cups, if you're into that. It costs extra.
Otherwise, the food is pretty much the same. I had the Crunchwrap Supreme fresco-style, my go-to Taco Bell order. You may note it comes in a slightly nicer tray, though.
Taco Bell Cantina does offer a menu of "shareables," which normal humans might call "appetizers." I didn't see these on the menu, or I would have ordered some! The good news is that this managed to be my biggest regret in my time in Vegas, so it could have gone worse.
The vibe of the Taco Bell Cantina is somewhere between "hip Brooklyn loft" and "insufferable Las Vegas nightclub."
Exposed wooden rafters and brick walls are the order of the day, plus a TV wall that shows sports and Taco Bell-related social media posts.
The good news is, that nightclub vibe translates into some surprisingly comfortable seating, both inside...
Better yet, almost all the seats — even the outdoor ones — have power outlets and USB charging slots. It's a welcome oasis in the Las Vegas desert.
The Taco Bell Cantina also offers exclusive Taco Bell merch, like these hot sauce-themed iPhone cases...
...or limited-edition Taco Bell apparel, themed for Las Vegas.
There are fun little flourishes all over, too. Like these wooden handles for the soda...
...a TV screen that tracks everyone's order so you know when yours is coming up...
...a staircase that takes you up to the second floor...
...and some subtle wallpaper designs over the obligatory hot sauce bar.
So basically, the Taco Bell Cantina is just your average Taco Bell with a more upscale vibe. But at this point, I should probably tell you that my Baja Blast alcoholic slushie was not great.
Thanks to Vegas' open container laws, I was able to take it to the streets with me as I walked back to my hotel after a slimy-yet-satisfying Taco Bell meal. But I ended up throwing it out after only a few sips. Your mileage may vary if you like Mountain Dew and/or rum more than I do.
Finally, the Taco Bell Cantina seems to get pretty lit. I wasn't here when this happened, but oh boy, do I wish I had been:
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