One Ulti-"Mate" Chalupa, Please

Are Chalupas a Girl's Best Friend?
Taco Bell(R) Announces $10,000 Ulti-``Mate'' Chalupa

Celebrating the "Ultimate" extension of its popular Chalupa, Taco Bell(R) announced it will offer a one-of-a-kind, love-inspired and "outside the bun" combo for a pair of potential soulmates: the $10,000 Ulti-"Mate" Chalupa. This pairing includes a newlimited-time offer Ultimate Chalupa and a two carat diamond engagementring (valued at $14,000) and was unveiled today in Las Vegas, theWedding Capital of the World.

The Ulti-"Mate" Chalupa is available for purchase beginning today(starting at 6:00 a.m. PDT) during a week-long auction on eBay(keyword: Ultimate Chalupa), with bidding starting at $10,000. See site for purchase details. The proceeds from the auction will directlybenefit the Taco Bell Foundation, which has successfully raised morethan $15 million to benefit at-risk teens.

"With Ultimate Chalupa, we've created a Chalupa lover's dream, combining signature Taco Bell ingredients for a variety of flavors and textures in one bite," said Bill Pearce, Chief Marketing Officer ofTaco Bell Corp. "And we've taken this experience one step further withThe Ulti-'Mate' Chalupa. In fact, you could say it's a girl's bestfriend."

The Ultimate Chalupa features Taco Bell's signature crispy-yet-chewy Chalupa shell filled with layers upon layers of the flavorful ingredients, including marinated carne asada steak, fiesta salsa prepared fresh daily, sour cream, guacamole, a blend ofthree-cheeses and crisp lettuce. The limited-time-product carries a suggested retail price of $2.19 and is available through June 25 at participating Taco Bell locations.

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM),is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain serving tacos, burritos, signature Quesadillas, Grilled StuftBurritos, nachos and other specialty items. Taco Bell serves more than 35 million consumers each week in nearly 5,800 restaurants in the U.S."Think Outside the Bun(R)" and visit www.tacobell.com.


In case you have your skeps about this press release because it sounds a tad ridiculous, check it out: http://cgi.ebay.com/Taco-Bell-Ultimate-Chalupa-diamond-engagement-ring_W0QQitemZ8947382312QQcategoryZ67726QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

Do you see what has happened? Yesterday, I write about having babies for the love of Taco Bell (and shoes), and today Taco Bell suddenly unfolds its latest marketing endeavor. You best believe the self-absorbed part of me assumes that Taco Bell is trying to help out an ever-faithful sista.

Which babydaddy-to-be loves Taco Bell and me enough to buy me this ring? Boys and Gentleman: shipping is free! See, it's a deal. Hell, I'm a deal. I wanted Taco Bell to cater my wedding even before this ebay item, combining love of Taco Bell, diamonds, and marriage, existed. Talk about cheap! Once I have the oft-mentioned baby, we will eat playdough burritoes when we run out of money for actual burritoes. All you really have to save up for is this GORGEOUS ring.

Only 49 people have checked out this ring so the competition isn't stiff . . . yet. The same cannot be said for those wanting to marry me--so get on it. I'm going out of town tomorrow night, and if I'm not spoken for beforehand, I might end up eloping in Nashville with a dirty hippie and his underfed dog.