# Fast Food Taco Salads Wendy's New Taco Salad Brings a Taste of Mexican Cuisine to the Chain's Menu By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-09-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-salad References: [chewboom](http://www.chewboom.com/2016/09/14/new-taco-salad-coming-wendys-soon/) While [Taco Bell](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cantina-crispy-chicken-tacos) reigns supreme when it comes to an American take on Mexican cusine, now Wendy's is borrowing some flavors from south of the border to come up with its brand-new [Taco Salad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-tender-wrap). The new Taco Salad is a meal-sized dish that the chain plans to roll out nation-wide in the coming weeks. The new salad is similar to [Wendy's Baja Salad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-cobb-salad), which is no longer on the menu. The new version of the dish consists of mixed greens, diced tomatoes, red onions and shredded cheddar cheese topped with a serving of chili. The salad also comes with packets of salsa, sour creme and tortilla chips for dipping. While the idea of adding chili to salad may seem unusual, the dish is perfectly suited to the cool fall temperatures looming ahead. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.5/10 - Popularity: 50% | Activity: 18% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Taco Salad Innovation:** The introduction of taco salads by fast food chains presents an opportunity to innovate and create unique flavor combinations. - **Mexican Fusion Menus:** Fast food chains incorporating Mexican cuisine flavors into their menus open up possibilities for fusion dishes and cross-cultural culinary experiences. - **Convenient Meal-sized Salads:** The trend of offering meal-sized salads at fast food chains provides an opportunity for healthy and convenient options for customers on the go. ### Where This Applies - **Fast Food:** The fast food industry can seize the opportunity to diversify their menus by incorporating taco salads as a new offering, appealing to customers seeking variety. - **Mexican Cuisine:** The Mexican cuisine industry can explore collaborations with fast food chains to create innovative dishes that incorporate traditional Mexican flavors while catering to a wider audience. - **Convenience Food:** The convenience food industry can develop and market pre-packaged taco salad kits, tapping into the trend of convenient and healthy meal options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Ingredient-Packed QSR Cobb Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-cobb-salad.md) - [Spicy QSR Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-and-takis.md) - [Queso-Topped QSR Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-loaded-nacho.md) - [Refreshing Spring-Ready QSR Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/springinspired-menu.md) - [Hybrid Cuisine Restaurant Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tocaya-salads.md) - [Sauce-Topped QSR Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breakfast-burritos-1.md) - [Perfectly Layered Taco Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tostada-wrap.md) - [Spicy QSR Breakfast Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wendys-breakfast-burrito.md) - [Health-Focused Beef Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/double-shredded-beef-tostada-salad.md)