Updated 8/29

A few days ago, Taco Bell invited The Register and the folks at the Foodbeast blog to the chain’s Irvine test kitchen to try what could be the next two flavors for the wildly popular Doritos Locos Tacos brand.

Since debuting in March, Taco Bell said it has sold more than 200 million crunchy tacos served with a Doritos nacho cheese shell. The taco is the most successful product launch in Taco Bell’s 50-year history, and is responsible for a long overdue boost in Taco Bell revenue. The re-invented taco is made with a nacho cheese-flavored Doritos shell. The $1.29 taco is stuffed with seasoned beef, lettuce and tomatoes and served in a Doritos-branded “taco jacket” or holster.

In the second quarter, Taco Bell’s parent company Yum Brands reported a 13 percent jump in same-store sales at Taco Bell. Same-store sales are a key indicator of a restaurant’s financial health. The sales jump was the largest increase of the chain’s three major U.S. brands, which also includes KFC and Pizza Hut.

Wanting to parlay the success of the Doritos taco launch, Taco Bell is considering its next shell flavors — Flamas and Cool Ranch.

The two flavors are being tested in various regions, including some Taco Bell restaurants in Orange County. The chain declined to reveal the test locations. There’s no guarantee the flavors will roll out, Taco Bell said. However, it’s been widely speculated that Cool Ranch will be the next flavor.

During the taste test, I enjoyed the chili lime flavor of the Flamas taco shell over the less interesting Cool Ranch shell. The Flamas offered a two-dimensional flavor experience. At first, you taste a hint of lime with a bit of classic dusty red Doritos spice. Then, a blast of heat follows a few seconds later. It’s a great pairing with Taco Bell’s signature seasoned beef.

Taco Bell declined to reveal when the chain would debut any new Doritos shell flavor.

Taco Bell is also testing a frozen version of the chain’s exclusive Mountain Dew Baja Blast drink. I’m a big fan of Taco Bell’s Frutista line, and this tropical lime drink lives up to the slushy goodness of the other drinks.

At the start of the year, Taco Bell unveiled a new breakfast program dubbed First Meal after testing products for at least five years. On Thursday, the chain unveiled the A.M. Crunchwrap to the morning grub menu. The toasted wrapped tortilla is stuffed with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, cheese and a hash brown. Cost: $2.49.

The item tested in a few Orange County stores in May, and is now on the menu at 850 Taco Bell restaurants in 10 states, including California, Arizona and Colorado.

Tell us: Have you spotted any of these foods in Taco Bell restaurants? If so, write in and let us know where you found them.

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Contact the writer: nluna@ocregister.com