The El Big Box’s launch and subsequent praise, however, came after Del Taco announced that it would close nearly all of its locations in a single state.
Del Taco is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States that serves Mexican-inspired cuisine as well as American fare.
Its menu includes tacos, burritos, french fries, and burgers.
The chain, which opened in 1964, has given rival Taco Bell a run for its money over the years, with fans frequently pitting the two restaurants against one another.
Last week, Del Taco introduced a new lineup of meal deal boxes, including the $5 Clásico El Big Box, $7 Mex Faves El Big Box, and $9 Ameri-Mex El Big Box.
The convenient meal combinations include a curated selection of fan favorites, such as the chain’s burrito, fries, quesadilla, soft tacos, and drinks.
The meal deals are remarkably similar to Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings Boxes, which share the same three price points.
The fast food competitor offers a $5 Classic Luxe Cravings Box, a $7 Supreme Luxe Cravings Box, and a $9 Discovery Luxe Cravings Box.
Taco Bell’s value-packed meals, introduced in January, will be available to foodies until early June.
They contain items similar to Del Taco’s El Big Boxes, such as burritos, tacos, and drinks, among others.
Fast food fans have noticed the resemblance and criticized the copycat offering.
“This is essentially a copy of the cravings deals from Taco Bell in Del Taco form,” one customer wrote on Reddit.
“I think Del Taco is superior to Taco Bell in every way, except TB has Baja Blast.”
SALES SLUMP
Del Taco’s new menu offerings come as the fast food chain tries to reverse its declining sales.
The company’s same-store sales fell 1.5% last year and 4.5% in the first quarter of 2025.
Del Taco vs Taco Bell Meal Deals
Del Taco:
- $5 Clásico El Big Box: Del Combo Beef & Bean Burrito, Mini Quesadilla, Value Crinkle-Cut Fries, 16oz Drink
- $7 Mex Faves El Big Box: Del Combo Beef & Bean Burrito, Grilled Chicken Taco, Soft Snack Taco, Mini Quesadilla, 16oz Drink
- $9 Ameri-Mex El Big Box: Double Del Cheeseburger, Bean & Cheese Burrito (with choice of red or green sauce), Soft Snack Taco, Value Crinkle-Cut Fries, 16oz Drink
Taco Bell:
- $5 Classic Luxe Cravings Box: Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists, medium drink
- $7 Supreme Luxe Cravings Box: Chicken Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, chips with nacho cheese sauce, medium drink
- $9 Discovery Luxe Cravings Box: rotating new menu item, Doritos Locos Tacos, Crunchy Taco, Cinnamon Twists, medium drink
Del Taco has previously attempted to boost its declining sales by launching a variety of limited-time offers such as boba poppers, as well as menu additions such as new burritos and $10 and $15 bundles.
While menu changes have not been enough to reverse the company’s declining sales, Del Taco’s El Big Boxes are an attempt to replicate the success of Taco Bell’s Luxe Cravings promotions.
Even as consumer preferences and behaviors change, Taco Bell’s meal boxes have helped it maintain consistent same-store sales growth.
Del Taco’s new $5, $7, and $9 meal deals complement the chain’s Real Deal$ value menu, which was introduced last year and offers a variety of snack-sized items for $2.
LIGHTS OUT
Del Taco is working to reverse its downward sales trends with its new El Big Boxes, but the fast food chain is also facing a slew of restaurant closures in Colorado.
In late February, Taco Bell’s rival abruptly closed nearly all of its restaurants in the state.
Eighteen of the 19 Colorado locations were “temporarily closed” and will reopen “as soon as possible,” according to a Del Taco spokesperson.
“Our Denver and Colorado Springs franchise locations are temporarily closed. We will reopen these locations as soon as possible and provide updates as they become available. “We appreciate your patience and support,” the spokesperson told the media.
A sign on the door of a Del Taco in Aurora, Colorado stated, “All Colorado Del Taco locations are closed until further notice.”
Several Del Taco restaurants across the state were without phone service or online ordering, according to local news stations.
Del Taco officials say one location in Grand Junction will remain open because it is owned and operated by a franchisee.
Del Taco has not yet stated the reason for the Colorado closures or when they will reopen.
Many other chains are closing locations across the country for a variety of reasons, including rising inflation, shifting consumer preferences, and increased competition.
For example, after announcing plans to close up to 200 stores, the CEO of Jack in the Box called for a “return to basics”.
Plus, a world-famous happy hour spot has declared bankruptcy, leaving only 85 locations across the country.