Don’t let the red color fool you into thinking the shells used for Jack in the Box’s Spicy Tiny Tacos are spicy. I assure you those ominous Lucifer eyelid-shaped shells bring no heat whatsoever. There isn’t any seasoning on or in them unless you count red food coloring.
But their color, along with the somewhat surprising look of the filling inside them, have got me thinking about elves, hung stockings, and decorated Christmas trees.
Wait. What? Christmas?
When I reveal to you what’s in every Spicy Tiny Taco, you’ll understand my fast food friends.
Yup, it’s green. Actually, it’s more so in real life than what my iPhone’s camera shows. The familiar shiny dark green pieces make it safe to assume that the filling is a combination of ground pickled jalapeños and, like the original Tiny Tacos, ground chicken and spices.
The peppers bring more heat than flavor, but I didn’t mind that because the simple combo that makes up the filling is tasty enough that I’m happy eating them by themselves. But I’m even more content when I dip the red Tiny Tacos into the ranch dipping sauce that came with my order. The tangy accoutrement tempers the spiciness but adds another level of flavor on top of the seasoned meat and jalapeño. What I got is probably the default, but I imagine you could enhance your tacos with any sauce Jack offers, even his Mystery Sauce.
As for spiciness, after eating all 15 Spicy Tiny Tacos in one sitting, my nose did start running a little. But I didn’t need a cold beverage to soothe my mouth. Of course, mouths vary. But if you’ve had other Jack in the Box items that feature jalapeños, you’ll have an idea of the heat level.
There’s also a Loaded version that comes topped with lettuce, cheese, and taco sauce, which I also ordered. But mine didn’t come with cheese, so I won’t give it a rating here. However, I imagine, just like with the original Tiny Tacos, the toppings do enhance them, especially the taco sauce, which gives the side an additional kick and peppery flavor. So if you do decide to get the regular Spicy Tiny Tacos, I’d recommend grabbing a taco sauce packet or two to enhance them, which is what I’ll be doing when I order them again.
Jack’s Spicy Tiny Tacos are a great sequel to the original Tiny Tacos. In fact, I think they’re better. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Purchased Price: $4.99*
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 360 calories, 13 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 670 milligrams of sodium, 52 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of protein.
*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.