Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Tacos will arrive at restaurants nationwide March 8, the Irvine chain revealed today in a brief statement.

For months, Taco Bell executives have been hinting about the arrival of the “reinvented” taco. The new Doritos taco is the same as a Taco Bell crunchy taco except it is made with a nacho cheese-flavored Doritos shell.

“Taco Bell looked at its most popular, best selling item – the Crunchy Taco – and re-created it into something completely new and unique by partnering with Doritos to create the Doritos Locos Tacos,” the company announced Thursday.

It will be a permanent menu item starting March 8. Prices: $1.29 for the regular taco and $1.69 for the taco supreme.

The Doritos taco is among a handful of new foods rolling out at the 5,600-unit chain. In January, Taco Bell introduced its new breakfast program, First Meal, in 10 states including California. (CLICK HERE to learn more about First Meal.)

The chain is also testing a slightly upscale fast-food menu dubbed Cantina Bell in two regions. Some of the foods, which contain cilantro rice, corn salsa and black beans, can be found in a few Orange County restaurants. (CLICK HERE to learn more about Cantina Menu)

Taco Bell/Doritos taco contest: Starting today, Taco Bell is launching a social media contest called the “Hometown Tweet-Off.” Twitter followers are to “tweet” about the Doritos Locos Taco using the hashtags: #DoritosLocosTacos #Contest. The person with the most re-tweets will get a visit from the Taco Bell Truck, which will be serving Doritos Locos Tacos. Additional prizes will be awarded to runner-ups. The winner will be announced Feb. 27.

DINNER FOR TWO GIVEAWAY: CLICK HERE to learn how to enter to win “Dinner for 2 at Prego Ristorante” during Orange County Restaurant Week.

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