I tried Taco Bell’s chicken nuggets so you don’t have to. Here’s my review.

Everyone knows the heart-sinking feeling of finding out your friend threw a party and didn’t invite you. Now imagine that feeling… if the “friend” was Taco Bell.

That’s kind of how I felt earlier this week when I heard Taco Bell held a preview event in New York City for their new chicken nuggets. How could they forget me? I’ve been reviewing Taco Bell menu items for years. Hell, I even ate Taco Bell for 30 days straight! My invite must have been lost in the mail, I told myself. Then I remembered Taco Bell certainly has my email address — I’m a rewards member.

But no test will break my love of Taco Bell. Consider this the book of Cheesy Gordita Job.

Humbled by my fast food overlords, I went to my local Taco Bell on Thursday — the first day the chicken nuggets were available nationwide. The nuggets, which feature all-white meat chicken that is marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and breaded with tortilla chips, might sound outside of Taco Bell’s wheelhouse. But this isn’t the chain’s first foray into fried chicken. Last year they brought back chicken wings to the menu, and they were pretty solid!

Chicken nuggets are far less ambitious than wings, so I had no reason to expect these to not be tasty. A five-piece order with one dipping sauce is $3.99 and a 10-piece with two dipping sauces is $6.99. After waiting for more than 15 minutes (downtown Jersey City Taco Bell, you are the bane of my existence) I got my nugs. They were hot and fresh — and one bite convinced me they were well worth the wait.

Taco Bell’s chicken nuggets passed the eye test with flying colors, with a thick brown crinkly breading on every piece of poultry. While I thought the jalapeño buttermilk may be lip service, there was a distinct (but not overpowering) kick present. The exterior was crispy — though I can’t say it reminded me of tortilla chips. The interior was tender and flavorful, as well.

But the best part of this new dish is the dipping sauces. I got all three and was impressed by the lot. The Hidden Valley Fire Ranch sauce was a pretty typical spicy ranch dressing and the jalapeño honey mustard definitely had a nice kick. My personal favorite was the Bell sauce, which was both creamy and spicy and reminded me of the creamy jalapeño sauce that makes their quesadilla the unsung hero of their menu.

Do we need chicken nuggets from Taco Bell? Absolutely not. I come to Taco Bell for everything but chicken nuggets. I much rather see the chain innovate on their signature menu items — when are we getting a Crunchwrap Supreme with a Doritos tostada, people? But is pretty wild that Taco Bell was able to step into the nugget game and make something better than what McDonald’s is known for. Yeah, I said it. Taco Bell’s chicken nuggets are better than McNuggets!

So yeah, I’m a little salty that Taco Bell didn’t invite me to their preview event. Fine, a lot salty — I did just eat 10 chicken nuggets from a Mexican fast food chain. But I’m a man of the people, and I’ll happily wait with the other customers looking to Live Mas.

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