Updated Oct 8, 2026· 9 min read

Key takeaways

  • Under $5 per person: Start with one value burrito or two value tacos. Choose the burrito if you need food to travel; choose tacos if you are eating immediately.
  • $5–$10 per person: Compare one larger burrito with a two-taco order plus a small side. The burrito normally uses less packaging and provides a more reliable camp meal.
  • $10–$15 per person: Add a quesadilla, chicken item, or combo meal. Avoid paying for a drink if cooler space is limited and you already carry water.
  • Limited cooler space: Choose compact burritos and request sauces separately. Avoid drinks, large fry containers, and foods that require a flat surface.
  • No reheating equipment: Order soft, cohesive food and eat it soon after pickup. A burrito is safer to handle than loose tacos or nachos.
  • Access to a skillet: Quesadillas and burritos become more useful, but warm them gently and keep perishable food chilled until reheating.

The best value on the 2026 Del Taco menu is usually the bean-and-cheese burrito or a value taco, while the easiest foods to pack for camp are burritos, quesadillas, and fries only when you can eat them immediately. Del Taco menu with prices varies by franchise and city, so use the ranges below as a practical ordering guide rather than a guaranteed register total.

For a one-person camping meal, budget about $6–$12 for a filling order, or $12–$20 for a larger combination with a drink. Burritos travel better than tacos, crispy fries, and loaded nachos because they retain heat, fit in a foil packet, and can be reheated in a skillet without falling apart.

Quick comparison: what to order at Del Taco

Pick Best for Approximate portion and packing notes Typical 2026 price range
Bean and cheese burrito Lowest-cost filling meal One handheld burrito; compact, soft, and easy to reheat $1.50–$3.00
Chicken or beef burrito Higher-protein camp lunch One large handheld item; wrap tightly to prevent leaks $4.00–$8.00
Del Taco or similar hard-shell taco Fresh eating at the restaurant Small individual serving; shell becomes soft in a cooler $1.50–$3.00 each
Quesadilla Shareable, less messy food Usually cut into wedges; reheats well in a dry skillet $4.00–$8.00
Fries or loaded fries Immediate side or group snack Small to large serving; quality drops quickly after sealing $2.00–$6.00
Chicken soft tacos Moderate meal with less bulk Usually ordered in pairs; tortillas travel better than shells $4.00–$8.00 for two
Combo meal One-stop order with side and drink More food and packaging; less efficient for backpacking $8.00–$14.00

These ranges reflect common menu pricing patterns in 2026 and can change with location, customization, limited-time promotions, delivery pricing, and tax. Del Taco’s official menu and ordering screens are the final authority for the restaurant you plan to visit.

Best overall: a burrito with a simple side

A burrito is the strongest all-around choice when Del Taco is supplying food for a road trip, campground arrival, or first-night dinner. It offers more usable food per package than a hard-shell taco, creates less loose debris in a cooler, and can be eaten with one hand while you organize camp.

Choose a bean-and-cheese burrito when price and reliability matter most. Add a meat-based burrito, such as a chicken or beef option, when you want a more substantial meal and do not mind paying several dollars more. A burrito with beans, rice, cheese, and a protein can be roughly 8–12 ounces depending on the menu item and preparation, while a single taco is commonly closer to 3–5 ounces.

The trade-off is moisture. Salsa, sour cream, and other wet fillings can make the tortilla soggy during storage. If you will not eat it within about 30 minutes, ask for wet sauces on the side when the restaurant allows it, or keep the burrito in its paper wrapping and then place it in a sealed food container.

Best budget choice: value tacos and bean-and-cheese burritos

Del Taco’s value menu is useful when feeding several campers without turning fast food into a major expense. A two- or three-item order can often produce a small meal for around $4–$8 before tax, depending on the market and the selected items.

For the best calorie-to-dollar result, compare the menu price with the size rather than choosing the cheapest individual item. A $2 burrito that weighs approximately 8 ounces gives you more food to carry than a $2 taco weighing approximately 3–4 ounces. A bean-and-cheese burrito may also be easier to split into two portions, although it is less satisfying if you specifically want meat.

Value tacos are best eaten immediately. Hard shells absorb steam from hot fillings and become flexible during transport. If you order them for camp, separate the tacos from drinks and cold items, keep them upright, and plan to eat them first.

Best for reheating: quesadillas and dry burritos

Quesadillas are among the better Del Taco items for a short camp transfer because cheese and tortilla tolerate gentle reheating. Place the quesadilla in a covered skillet over low heat for about 2–4 minutes per side, checking often so the tortilla does not burn. A little residual heat is enough; direct flame can scorch the outside before the center warms.

Burritos also reheat well, but the method matters. Remove any paper wrapping, keep the burrito loosely enclosed in foil, and warm it in a pan over low heat. Turn it every few minutes. If the filling includes meat, rice, beans, or dairy, keep it cold during transport and reheat it thoroughly rather than leaving it warm for a long period.

The main trade-off with reheating is texture. A toasted tortilla may become firmer, fries become limp, and fresh lettuce or tomato can turn watery. Order fillings separately when possible if you know the food will sit in a cooler for several hours.

Best for eating at the campsite: soft tacos and chicken items

Soft tacos are a better outdoor option than hard-shell tacos when you need food that can survive a short drive. The flour or corn tortilla flexes instead of shattering, and two small tacos can provide variety without the bulk of a large combo meal.

Chicken tacos or chicken burritos are practical for a group because they are easy to identify and divide. Ask for sauces separately if the food will be stored. Keep the order in an insulated cooler with cold packs, and do not rely on the original paper bag as insulation.

Chicken items generally cost more than the basic bean options. Their advantage is not always better value; it is the ability to build a more complete meal without adding several separate sides. Compare the price of two tacos with the price of one burrito before ordering for multiple people.

Fries, nachos, and sides: order only for immediate eating

Regular fries are convenient when you are still near the restaurant, but they are weak camping leftovers. Steam trapped inside a closed container softens the fries, while an open container lets them cool quickly. Eat them within about 10–15 minutes for the best texture.

Loaded fries and nachos are even more time-sensitive. Cheese, sauces, and toppings spread moisture through the base, making them difficult to pack and awkward to reheat. They can still work as a shared parking-lot meal or as food eaten at a campsite immediately after arrival, but they are poor choices for a backpack or day-long cooler trip.

Rice, beans, and a burrito are usually more practical than a separate side when storage space is limited. If you have room for only one container per person, prioritize food that remains coherent after movement: burritos, quesadillas, soft tacos, and sealed dipping sauces.

How Del Taco portions compare by camping use

Camping situation Suggested order Approximate food quantity Why it fits
Quick meal before setting up Burrito plus drink About 8–12 ounces of main food One-handed, filling, minimal utensils
Two-person road-trip stop Two burritos and one shareable side About 1.25–1.75 pounds total Easy to divide and less fragile than tacos
Backpacking or small cooler One compact burrito per person About 8–12 ounces per person High food volume without separate containers
Group snack eaten immediately Loaded fries or nachos One shareable tray, depending on order size Good for immediate sharing, poor for storage
Next-meal leftovers Quesadilla or burrito without extra sauce One handheld item per serving Most manageable to chill and gently reheat

These are planning estimates, not manufacturer-style standardized serving weights. Restaurant assembly, ingredient substitutions, and local portions can change the actual size.

How to choose your order by budget and storage

  • Under $5 per person: Start with one value burrito or two value tacos. Choose the burrito if you need food to travel; choose tacos if you are eating immediately.
  • $5–$10 per person: Compare one larger burrito with a two-taco order plus a small side. The burrito normally uses less packaging and provides a more reliable camp meal.
  • $10–$15 per person: Add a quesadilla, chicken item, or combo meal. Avoid paying for a drink if cooler space is limited and you already carry water.
  • Limited cooler space: Choose compact burritos and request sauces separately. Avoid drinks, large fry containers, and foods that require a flat surface.
  • No reheating equipment: Order soft, cohesive food and eat it soon after pickup. A burrito is safer to handle than loose tacos or nachos.
  • Access to a skillet: Quesadillas and burritos become more useful, but warm them gently and keep perishable food chilled until reheating.

A practical $20 camping order

Suppose two campers have about $20 before tax and need food that can survive a 20-minute drive to a site. Two medium or large burritos at approximately $5–$8 each use $10–$16. The remaining $4–$10 can cover one shared side, two inexpensive tacos, or bottled drinks depending on local prices.

This order is more useful than buying four hard-shell tacos and a large fry because each camper gets a substantial, self-contained item. If the drive becomes longer, keep the burritos chilled, leave sauces sealed, and eat the side first. The calculation is simple: a $6 burrito that serves one person costs $6 per main serving, while a $4 side shared by two people adds $2 per person, making the planned meal approximately $8 per person before tax.

Food-safety and packing details that matter

Fast-food wrapping protects against spills but does not keep food at a safe temperature for hours. Perishable Del Taco items should go into an insulated cooler with sufficient ice or cold packs soon after purchase. Do not put a hot burrito directly against delicate produce or other food that must remain cold.

For a short trip, keep each burrito in its original wrapper and place it inside a leak-resistant container. For longer storage, write the pickup time on the container. At camp, use clean utensils, wash hands before eating, and reheat leftovers thoroughly rather than repeatedly warming and cooling them.

Common mistakes include sealing hot fries in an airtight plastic bag, leaving sour cream or meat in a warm vehicle, and putting a drink beside food in a small cooler where condensation wets the packaging. A separate zippered bag for sauces and napkins prevents most of these problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest filling item on the Del Taco menu?

The bean-and-cheese burrito is often among the least expensive filling items, while value tacos can have a lower individual price. Prices vary by location and menu promotions, so compare the listed price with portion size rather than choosing solely by the cheapest number.

What Del Taco food travels best to a campsite?

Burritos, quesadillas, and soft tacos generally travel better than hard-shell tacos, fries, or nachos. Burritos are the most compact and least likely to spill when wrapped and placed in a container. Keep all meat and dairy-based items cold during transport.

Can you reheat a Del Taco burrito at camp?

Yes, a burrito can be reheated gently in a covered skillet or wrapped loosely in foil over low heat. Remove paper packaging first, turn the burrito regularly, and avoid direct high flame. Refrigerate or chill it until you are ready to reheat it.

Are Del Taco tacos good for camping?

Soft tacos can work for a short trip, especially when eaten soon after pickup. Hard-shell tacos are best consumed immediately because steam and movement make the shells soften or break. Pack tacos upright and keep sauces separate.

How much should two people budget at Del Taco?

A basic two-person meal may cost about $12–$20 before tax, while larger combo orders can cost more. Two burritos are usually the most practical starting point when you need food that travels, and a shared side can be added if the budget allows.

Which Del Taco items should you avoid packing for later?

Loaded fries, nachos, and hard-shell tacos lose texture quickly and are poor choices for several hours of storage. Choose them only when you can eat them shortly after ordering. For later meals, select a burrito or quesadilla with wet sauces packed separately.

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