DRIVE-BY DINING

Nerdy, not authentic, but totally awesome

In a geek's world, Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme is the Napoleon Dynamite of fast food.

By Dog Davis
Special to The Times

July 14, 2005

America has entered a Nerd Renaissance. Dorkiness is once again cool. The evidence is everywhere: Bobbleheads. Ballroom dancing. Text messaging. Weezer.

Taco Bell has jumped on the nerd bandwagon, first with its goofy Club Chalupa ad campaign, and now with its wackiest creation — the Crunchwrap Supreme.

From its very name, you know that this Mexican food concoction isn't remotely authentic. Imagine a crunchy corn tortilla surrounded by a blend of seasoned beef, nacho cheese sauce, shredded lettuce, diced tomato and sour cream. Now picture it all bundled and toasted inside a humongous flour tortilla folded into a hexagon. Totally surreal. Totally awesome.

In the nerd world, Crunchwrap Supreme is the Napoleon Dynamite of fast food.

Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme

Taste ***

You know what munchy goodness awaits before you ever bite it, because Taco Bell has something like only 10 ingredients in their kitchen. Crunchwrap is part taco, part burrito, part Frisbee.

Diet Watch ***

With 550 calories, it's slightly lighter than a Big Mac, but it breaks down to 24 grams of fat, 17 grams of protein and 70 grams of carbs, making it less fatty but more carby than the famed "two all-beef patties..."

Portability ***

According to a press release, this is the fast food easiest to eat in a car, but it's bogus, man, because they surveyed passengers, not drivers. Get real, T-Bell: When you're riding shotgun, you don't need to eat with one hand.

Hype-o-meter ****

Something this crunch-tastic must be savored for special times, which is why this "limited time offer" gets its plug pulled at the end of the month. So why are you still even reading this?

 * : Ratings are on a scale of one (lowest) to four (best).