Tijuana Flats Brings Its Signature Gold Queso To Limited-Time Offerings

The average U.S. foodie single-handedly puts away roughly 40 pounds of cheese every single year. Sounds relatable? Tijuana Flats sees you, and now, it's rolling out an all-new Queso Drip campaign designed to satisfy cravings. Available in stores and online from August 28 through November 5, the fast-casual Tex-Mex chain is dropping a collection of limited-edition entrees starring queso. So, what's on the menu?

The Cheesy Queso-dilla ($9.99) features a grilled flour tortilla stuffed with shredded chicken or beef, cheddar jack cheese, sour cream, tomato, onion, and (of course) golden queso, reports QSR. Perhaps the heartiest of the new offerings, the Grilled Queso Crunch Burrito ($10.99) packs shredded chicken or beef, crispy tortilla strips, queso, cilantro lime rice, black beans, tomato, onion, and cheddar jack. Finally, the Queso Double Drip Tacos ($10.99) are two crunchy tortilla shells wrapped in queso-coated soft tortillas, a form reminiscent of Taco Bell's Cheesy Gordita Crunch. The filling is a spicier combination of chicken or beef, queso, jalapenos, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, and onion. 

Tijuana Flats is also beefing up (pun intended) its fan-favorite side dish offering with the new 24-Karat Queso Dip ($7.99), golden queso topped with beef and tomatoes. (Prices may vary by location. All dishes are served with chips.) The Queso Drip menu is available for a limited time only, so cheese-lovers: It's time to get drippin.'

Diehard fromage fans won't soon forget the cottage cheese queso trend that went viral earlier this summer. But, the most popular style of queso amongst U.S. foodies is the Tex-Mex version — the culinary region in which Tijuana Flats specializes. Tijuana Flats is an American Tex-Mex chain with over 120 locations in Florida, North Carolina, Indiana, and Virginia, and until now, fans have only been able to enjoy its iconic golden queso as a side dish. VP of Marketing Curtis Cattanach explains, "For the first time, we're putting our signature gold queso in entrées, so our guests can get more of that drip they crave and love," via QSR.

Indeed, foodies who "just can't help themselves" when it comes to cheese might have a scientific motivation. According to a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cheese has a naturally high concentration of casein, a protein that triggers the same part of the brain's pleasure receptors as opioids. (Talk about a craving!) As if foodies needed another reason to chow down on some tangy liquid cheese, Tijuana Flats also runs the Just in Queso Foundation, a non-profit devoted to supporting local community members in need. Foodies can donate online via the Tijuana Flats website — or, $0.05 from every regular queso order gets donated, too.