Vals Baton Rouge: New Taco Bell Inspired Halloween Menu

When the New Orleans-born taco spot Vals decided to celebrate Halloween this year, it didn’t just carve pumpkins or hang ghosts. Instead, the restaurant is spending five days completely transforming its Baton Rouge kitchen into a tribute to America’s most ubiquitous late-night fast-food drive-thru.

A Five-Day Drive-Thru Tribute on Perkins Road

The Baton Rouge location, operating out of the former Rock Paper Taco building at 7242 Perkins Road, launched a limited-time “Cantina Bell” menu available from Oct. 27 through Oct. 31, theadvocate.com reported. The five-item lineup, with prices ranging from $7 to $16, brings high-end, sit-down kitchen execution to notoriously nostalgic menu items.

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The idea struck executive chef Braden Messinger after he noticed other restaurants dressing up as alternative concepts for the holiday. It clicked immediately.

“With their legendary menu items and our dedication to quality and freshness, I knew this would be such a fun way for us to celebrate the season with our community,” Messinger said.

From Kitchen Experiment to Crunchwrap Supremo

The limited menu came together after Vals Sous Chef Craig Culpepper experimented in the kitchen just for fun one day, crafting a homemade version of a fast-food classic. When executive chef Braden Messinger took the creation home to try it, the results spoke for themselves. It was so ridiculously delicious that the kitchen knew it had to find its way onto a plate.

That experiment yielded the “Crunchwrap Supremo,” packed with beef picadillo, queso, salsa Mexicana, and shredded lettuce. From there, the kitchen expanded the concept to include a “Pizza Mexicana,” constructed from two crisp flour tortillas, beef picadillo, pinto beans, chipotle puree, jack cheese, salsa Mexicana, and crema.

Vals Serves Baja Blast Margaritas and Churro Bites

No tribute to the iconic fast-food chain would be complete without its most famous beverage. Vals is answering the call by serving Baja Blasts in the form of a frozen margarita. Diners looking for side items can order cheese-dusted fries served with queso blanco, referred to simply as nacho fries, while dessert features “Cinnamon Delights,” which are churro bites served with Mexican vanilla condensed milk.

From Freret Street to Baton Rouge Service

Vals originally opened its first location on Freret Street in New Orleans in 2020, establishing itself as a fast-casual taco destination before expanding to Baton Rouge in July. The Halloween-themed menu is available daily from 4 p.m. until service concludes on October 31.