We tried the Taste of The K Taco so you don’t have to

Taste of The K Taco // Photo by Sarah Sipple

First things first–let’s define this stadium novelty. The $25 Taste of The K Taco is actually a set of two tacos, but the shells are cheeseburger quesadillas. The filling consists of a charred Vienna hot dog, brisket, French fries, shredded romaine, pickled red onion, and fry sauce, garnished with Sriracha Cracker Jacks.

Aramark–the company that runs concessions at Kauffman Stadium and most of Arrowhead Stadium–debuted this taco for the second half of the Royals 2024 season. On a food tour of the stadium during Tuesday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians, I had the pleasure/challenge of trying it.

My expectations were those of state fair food: gaudy, disappointing, but fun “for the bit,” knowing it was a one-time thing. I was right about two out of three, but it was not disappointing. 

The tacos appeared small on the tray, but with the amount of food stuffed in them, they would be a filling dish on their own. The quesadilla taco “shell” was nothing exciting. As a sum of its parts, I’m not sure I would have noticed if the quesadilla was subbed for two regular flour tortillas. If there was cheese and beef inside, it was not a strong element.

I could have done without the fries, but that’s a personal opinion that I carry for most dishes that add fries anywhere but on the side. They added bulk but no discernable texture or flavor. The hot dog, however, was a different story. The sheer size of the unnaturally dark pink Vienna hot dog chunks made them an undeniable focal point. 

The brisket took a backseat, but the sauce tied everything together. The sweet and barely tangy 816 Fry Sauce–not 816 Sauce from KC Masterpiece as frequently reported–was the key to the dish’s cohesiveness. The fry sauce not only helped hold the ingredients together but also prevented it from tasting like a taco of salty mush. (I’m looking at you, fries.)

I wanted more from the Sriracha Cracker Jacks. Maybe it was the sensory overload from the overall taco, but I would have loved for the Cracker Jacks to have more Sriracha dominance. It was a fun addition, though, and I enjoyed munching on the popcorn that fell off tacos. 

At a cost of $25, this is simply not for everyone. I can only imagine that people are ordering it out of curiosity and silliness rather than a true desire to enjoy it as a meal. But I’m always down for a little kitsch! Overall, I built this up in my head way more than it deserved. The ingredients, though not necessarily traditional, presented a silly but not thoughtless dish. If you’re curious and have $25 to spend on two tacos (no drink included), go for it.

Scott’s Kitchen loaded fries // Photo by Sarah Sipple

If this frivolous taco isn’t your speed, there’s always the basic ballpark hot dog! Other dishes that I have enjoyed this season have included the Beyond Brat, Huli Huli chicken with a refreshing watermelon salad from the Price Chopper Marketplace, Palacana’s deep-fried tacos, and the local pitmaster selections at the rotating KCQ. Depending on the game, you can find Chef J’s BBQ, Scott’s Kitchen, & SMOAK Craft BBQ there this season.

Taste of The K Taco is available this season only at Rivals Sports Bar inside Kauffman Stadium.