An Austin taco pop-up is selling the nixed Taco Bell items fans miss the most

• Taco Bell fans were distraught when the chain removed some beloved items in August.
• The menu simplification has boosted sales for the chain.
• A pop-up in Austin is selling some of the dishes people miss the most.
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Taco Bell cut 12 fan favorite menu items this year, and an Austin pop-up is capitalizing on America's pent up desire for Mexican Pizza and 7-Layer burritos. Cavalier, a bar in Austin, will host pop-up events under the name Taco Fuego beginning December 9, Eater reported.

In July, to the dismay of discount Mexican-American food lovers everywhere, Taco Bell confirmed rumors that some of its most loved items would be nixed from menus, including Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, Nachos Supreme, the Spicy Potato Soft Taco. 

Elimination of potato dishes was especially upsetting for many Taco Bell fans, who turned to social media to lament the loss of reliable vegetarian fast-food options. At the time of the announcement, the chain acknowledged some fans might be upset, and hinted at future plant-based option potentially coming to the menu. "Don't forget to lookout for the vegetarian symbol on menus to indicate vegetarian products, and remember you can swap out any protein for beans in any menu item," it said in a statement.

Read more: Taco Bell's Grilled Cheese Burrito - and its controversial decision to kill menu items like its beloved potatoes - send sales soaring

Despite some vocal fan reactions, the move seems to be paying off for Taco Bell. Sales grew 5% in the third quarter, and in an investor call the company shared that simplifying menus and cutting restaurant hours increased margins and boosted sales of large party-size meals.

Taco Fuego is tapping into the nostalgia people feel for classic menu items, and serving its own variations. Mexican Pizza becomes Latin Pizza, Double Decker Tacos become Double Layer Tacos, and the 7-Layer Burrito becomes the Multi-layer burrito, according to Eater.

Taco Fuego and Cavalier have been promoting the pop-up on Instagram for weeks, sharing previews of some dishes. The idea proved popular, with the limited menu selling out days before the Dec. 9 event, when preordered food will be available for pickup or dine-in at the outdoor patio. Taco Fuego will also serve Mountain Dew Baja Blasts and mulled Dr. Pepper, Eater reported.

"So many friends were bummed to see their favorite late-night guilty pleasure snacks going away" co-owners Rachelle Fox and Chadwick Leger told Eater. They plan to make Taco Fuego a monthly event, with an expanded menu next time, according to Taco Fuego's Instagram.