by Bottom Line: The Del Inferno Sauce from Del Taco brings a satisfying kick of heat and flavor without overpowering the dishes it complements.
Del Taco is a West Coast-based “Mexican-inspired” chain that has been around almost as long as Taco Bell. The latter started in 1962, while Del Taco opened its doors in 1964. They have very similar menus, with both chains featuring tacos, burritos, nachos, and other variations of Mexican favorites. However, Del Taco has a more expanded menu, including items like fish tacos, hamburgers, and fries (interestingly, Taco Bell had a burger on its original menu). I actually prefer Del Taco, but sadly, we no longer have any locations in San Antonio. I recently visited Oklahoma City, though, and made it a point to stop by one of their stores for my fast food fix.
Like Taco Bell, Del Taco offers packets of hot sauce on the side, and the Del Inferno Sauce really delivers a kick. They also have Mild and Del Scorcho (their Medium option), but Inferno is where it’s at. It has a tomato tang, a bit of a vinegar kick, and a touch of sweetness. It also boasts some earthiness and that familiar taco sauce zing. As for the heat, this one gets close to Hot on my scale, which is quite good for the drive thru. Most importantly, it doesn’t overwhelm the item it’s put on, which is a drawback of Taco Bell’s Fire and Diablo sauces. The Inferno Sauce is more of a complement, bringing a good amount of heat without overshadowing the food.
I decided to try out the sauce on several items and ordered my own little sampler, which included the Crunchtada Tostada, a Snack Taco, a Fish Taco, and the Habanero Chicken Taco.
The Habanero Crispy Chicken Taco (240 calories) was one of the top items on my list to try (aside from the Inferno Sauce) because I had read about it beforehand. The chicken tender has a nice crust with a good crunch, but it is dry and rather salty. The cheese is plentiful and adds a bit of sharpness. The sauce is creamy and a little sweetness with maybe a bit of pepperiness, but it’s essentially a spicy mayo with minimal habanero flavor and not much heat. This hit about Mild on my scale until I added the Inferno Sauce, which kicked things up nicely.
Next up was the Snack Taco, which is basically just a small taco with meat, cheese, and lettuce. The ground beef is nicely seasoned and definitely delivers more taste than the standard Taco Bell taco. It has no heat on its own, but adding that Inferno Sauce really brings everything together, making it a spicy munch.
The fish tacos are definitely a highlight and something I usually get when I’m in a city with Del Taco. (The full name of the item is a mouthful by itself: Beer Battered Crispy Fish Taco made with Stone® Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager!) The fish is cooked well and flavorful, with a light and crispy batter that delivers some crunch. The pico de gallo tastes fresh and adds some heat, and the tortilla holds up as you work your way through the taco (which isn’t always true of corn tortillas). This is the one item I didn’t add the Inferno Sauce to because I like the flavor combination on its own, and it gets to about Mild on my scale.
The Crunchtada Tostada turned out to be another highlight for me, as I’ve always been a fan of Taco Bell’s version, and this one definitely amps things up. Del Taco is much more generous with the toppings, and the beans aren’t the heavily processed paste common at fast-food joints. There are some actual beans in there and these deliver a more authentic flavor. There’s also plenty of shredded cheese, bringing some sharpness, and the Salsa Casera adds a little tang and a touch of heat. I’d rate the Tostada at Mild on its own, but once you drizzle on some Inferno Sauce, it becomes a real feast with a nice kick!
My sampler meal added up pretty quickly in calories: 330 for the tostada, 240 for the chicken taco, 230 for the fish taco, and 120 for the snack taco. But I got all of that for a little over eight bucks with tax, so it’s quite a bargain for a drive-thru feast these days. Pretty much everything I ordered was cheaper than standard prices at Taco Bell, and I’d say the quality is slightly higher.
Del Taco has a notable presence across the Western U.S. and can also be found in some states in the Midwest and South. Unfortunately, there are no locations in Texas anymore, so I have to search them out when traveling. However, as for the Del Inferno Sauce, I can buy it online (along with the Mild and Del Scorcho options). You can get 100 packets for $8.99, which isn’t bad, though shipping costs are rather pricey. Still, I will be placing an order soon to keep me stocked until my next trip to a Del Taco-friendly state.
