Brock Horton never expected his late-night food experiment to turn into a nationwide Taco Bell item, but that is exactly what happened. The 24-year-old from Holton, Michigan, entered the chain’s new Fan Style program for fun. The next thing he knew, his custom order, the California Crunchwrap, beat tens of thousands of other entries and landed on the official menu.
It is a big win for someone who simply liked mixing things up at the drive-thru.
Taco Bell launched the Fan Style program to let people build and share their own creations inside the app. It turned out to be wildly popular, pulling in more than 85,000 total submissions. Out of those, 40,000 users agreed to be part of the final selection pool. Horton’s idea stood out right away because it felt familiar but bold.
What Makes the California Crunchwrap Different?
Foodie / The California Crunchwrap swaps the usual beef for steak, which gives it a richer bite. Horton also added seasoned fries and guacamole, two moves that changed the balance of the whole thing.
The fries bring a salty crunch, and the guacamole smooths everything out. He got the idea from a West Coast trend where people tuck fries inside burritos. Horton liked the vibe of that and turned it into something that worked inside a Crunchwrap’s folded shell.
The result tastes like Taco Bell comfort food with a quick California nod. Early testers said it feels both new and familiar, which is why it rose above the crowd. For Horton, the fun part was seeing how a simple tweak could turn into something millions of people might order. He said the fries were the secret, and Taco Bell agreed.
Other Fan Creations That Made the Cut
Horton was not the only winner. Two more creations earned national spots. One is Burrito Bliss from Kajol in Louisville, Kentucky. It takes a cheesy bean and rice burrito, then layers in pico de gallo, fiesta strips, and creamy avocado ranch. It is fully vegetarian and still hits with flavour and crunch.
Kajol wanted something simple, affordable, and filling, which helped her entry rise to the top.
The other is Cantina Craze from Sandra in St. Louis, Missouri. She took the Cantina Chicken Crispy Taco and boosted it with creamy jalapeño sauce along with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. It keeps the crispy shell but adds a cool, spicy mix that makes each bite more interesting.
Madalyn / Unsplash / Taco Bell flew all three creators to the company’s headquarters and test kitchen in Irvine, California. Horton said the trip felt unreal because he saw how the kitchen works behind the scenes.
The team walked the winners through the process of turning fan recipes into something that can be made fast and consistently in restaurants nationwide. It gave the creators a real sense of how much effort goes into a single menu item.
The winners also joined an incentive program that rewards them with points inside the Taco Bell app each time a customer orders their item. It is not a huge payout, but it makes the whole thing more fun. Horton joked that it gives him a reason to tell friends to order the California Crunchwrap again and again.
How and Where to Order It?
There is one catch for fans who want to try these items. The Fan Style Menu is digital only. You cannot walk up to the counter and order it. You have to use the Taco Bell app or the kiosk inside participating restaurants. The company wanted to keep this lineup tied to the digital experience since that is how the whole contest started. It also helps them track demand and see which ideas people actually order more than once.
The Fan Style Menu launched in late November 2025 and will stick around for a limited time.