The Quesarito is back,
and Taco Bell is still maintaining hope that “The Joker” will take a bite.
A bit of back story. During the 2014 NBA draft, Nikola Joki (aka The Joker) was announced as the Denver
Nuggets 41st pick in the second round. ESPN, airing the draft live, unfortunately cut to a Taco Bell commercial for the Quesarito when his pick was announced, denying him his moment of
televised glory. Joki has subsequently said he will never eat at Taco Bell.
Now 11 years later, Taco Bell is rereleasing the Quesarito, a cheesy burrito with seasoned beef, seasoned rice,
chipotle sauce and reduced-fat sour cream, wrapped inside a grilled quesadilla with nacho cheese sauce.
The brand is “calling on Joki to finally settle the score and offering a friendly
apology for the coincidence that paired the Quesarito's ad with his draft moment.”
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“We heard our fans loud and clear,” says Luis Restrepo, Taco Bell CMO, in a statement.
"Their passion turned the Quesarito into a Taco Bell legend and bringing it back for the holidays felt like the perfect way to celebrate that energy. And as for the moment that helped keep its
story alive -- Joki, we hope there are no hard feelings.”
Apparently, while appreciated, the apology isn’t quite enough to warrant a visit to Taco Bell for Joki. “When asked
if he would try the Quesarito, he said, ‘No. It's nice they're finally apologizing. But no,’” according to a press release from the brand.
The Quesarito will be $4.99 and
available for a limited time, but the first 30,000 Taco Bell Rewards Members can get it for $1 during a special Tuesday drop on Dec. 23 at 2 P.M. PST on the Taco Bell app.
Taco Bell is
promoting the Quesarito and its quest to get Joki to eat at Taco Bell via its socials @TacoBell.