IRVINE, CA — Taco Bell is bringing back one of its most requested menu items just in time for the holidays, reviving the Quesarito nationwide for a limited run and reopening a bizarre chapter in sports and fast-food history tied to three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić.
The Quesarito, a burrito wrapped inside a grilled quesadilla and loaded with seasoned beef, rice, chipotle sauce, sour cream, and multiple cheeses, has returned after years of fan pressure. The item was pulled from menus despite its popularity, sparking petitions, tributes, and sustained online campaigns calling for its comeback.
This year’s return leans directly into the moment that helped cement the Quesarito’s cult status. During the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokić’s selection by the Denver Nuggets aired simultaneously with a Taco Bell Quesarito commercial, briefly interrupting the broadcast. The coincidence quickly became a viral staple, repeatedly resurfacing across social media as Jokić rose from a second-round pick to one of the league’s most dominant players.
Taco Bell says it is now inviting Jokić to finally try the menu item that unintentionally overshadowed his draft night, framing the promotion as a lighthearted apology more than a marketing stunt.
Luis Restrepo, Taco Bell’s chief marketing officer, said the Quesarito’s return reflects years of sustained fan demand and the staying power of the unexpected draft-day overlap. He said the brand viewed the holidays as the right moment to bring the item back and acknowledge the moment fans never let fade.
The Quesarito is priced at $4.99 at participating locations, with availability limited by location and supply. Taco Bell also announced a promotion for rewards members, offering the first 30,000 users a $1 Quesarito during a Tuesday app-only drop scheduled for December 23.
The original draft clip has become a recurring punchline in both basketball and food culture, replayed annually as Jokić’s accolades grew. Taco Bell’s renewed push embraces that history rather than distancing itself from it.
Asked whether he would finally try the Quesarito, Jokić offered a characteristically blunt response, saying he appreciated the apology but would pass.
The Quesarito’s return is temporary, but Taco Bell is betting that nostalgia, fan loyalty, and one of the internet’s strangest sports crossovers will be enough to fuel demand through the holiday season.
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