The Taco Chain That Sells A High-Quality Breakfast Sandwich

There's no doubt the food world has a long history of breakfast tacos, particularly in parts of the Southwest where Mexican food and fusion cuisine are part of daily life. However, few people likely think of fast food taco chains when they're looking to grab a quick breakfast on the go. That's a mistake, as Taco Bell is home to a high-quality breakfast sandwich that stands up to many other better-known options.

When we sized up fast food chains with the highest-quality breakfast sandwiches, the Breakfast Crunchwrap (a base of egg, cheese, and hash brown) earned a top spot for uniqueness, quality, and taste. It's available in three styles: with a sausage patty, bacon-focused, and a California variety that adds bacon, guacamole, and tomatoes for a fresh, yet creamy and savory, twist. All can be customized with additional sauces and ingredients, like creamy jalapeño or nacho cheese sauce, pico de gallo, steak, or potatoes. At roughly $5 each, Breakfast Crunchwraps also present a relative value in an era when grabbing a quick bite can seem more expensive than ever. In addition, they're made with cage-free eggs and no artificial colors or flavors. 

Diners seem to love the sandwich, with one Reddit user calling it "a godsend." One customer responded, "Breakfast Crunchwrap is easily the best fast food breakfast item," while another claimed, "Honestly life changing." Meanwhile on Facebook, a customer said, "Taco Bell has been my go-to for a cheap breakfast fix ... you can get a Breakfast Crunchwrap with two meats."

Even with its high-quality ingredients, it's worth pointing out the Breakfast Crunchwraps are a fairly heavy start to the day, packing in between 640 and 740 calories, depending on the style. They're also high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, representing close to half or more of daily recommended values for each. 

Those who'd prefer to dine at home can get quite close to a restaurant-style result with this copycat Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap recipe, which comes together in under an hour, allowing you to sample combinations of ingredients and flavors unavailable on the chain's menu. Still, it's hard to completely replicate the real thing, meaning folks on-the-go shouldn't shy away from grabbing a Breakfast Crunchwrap and seeing what a high-quality fast food breakfast sandwich can look like without any bagels, biscuits, or toast in sight.

Although it might still seem like a novelty to some, Taco Bell has been serving breakfast in its restaurants for more than a dozen years, continually tweaking its menu to its current state. Aside from the Crunchwraps, early risers can sample a variety of egg-based breakfast burritos and quesadillas, along with hash browns, and Cinnabon Delights (warmed donut holes coated in cinnamon sugar and filled with cream cheese frosting), and hot or iced coffee.