News: Taco Bell Continues Protein Menu Test

While some burger chains, notably In-N-Out, offer their burgers in a "low-carb" configuration, Taco Bell hasn't really explored the option until recently with the bowl option of their Power Fresco Menu test in a few Southern California location. The menu is part of Taco Bell's efforts to include more better-for-you options and features a lower calorie, more protein theme.

It looks like the test did well (or at least well enough) and they'll be doing a small market test out in Dayton, Ohio starting July 25, 2013.

They've renamed the menu the "Power Protein Menu" and tweaked it a bit: tacos are now off the board, which leaves only bowls and burritos. The calorie count is slightly higher on the burritos (with the steak version coming in a little over 400 calories). As such, the menu is now billed as "less than 450 calories" rather than "less than 400 calories." Menu items still offer at least 20g of protein.

The Power Protein Burrito offers a double portion of chicken or steak plus romaine lettuce, roasted corn salsa, pico de gallo, guacamole, and reduced fat sour cream wrapped up in a flour tortilla. It's basically a Cantina Burrito, but with double the meat and without the rice and beans. The price is $3.59 for the chicken version and $3.99 for the steak version.

The Power Protein Bowl offers the same in a bowl, but with black beans and without the flour tortilla. The Bowl is priced at $4.79 with chicken  and $5.19 with steak.

Along with the Power Protein menu, Taco Bell will also be testing zero-calorie, non-carbonated beverages at the same time in Dayton. The test drinks will be Sobe Lifewater Yumberry Pomegranate and Lipton Brisk No Calorie Peach Iced Green Tea.

If the Power Protein menu sounds like something that interests you, the menu items can actually be custom-ordered at any Taco Bell restaurant since each item is made using the same ingredients as the Cantina menu.