Choco Taco, a favored poolside cuisine for generations, will soon be no more after owner and ice cream maker Klondike decided to discontinue the summer treat.
“Over the past 2 years, we have experienced an unprecedented spike in demand across our portfolio and have had to make very tough decisions to ensure availability of our full portfolio nationwide,” said a Klondike representative in an email. “A necessary but unfortunate part of this process is that we sometimes must discontinue products, even a beloved item like Choco Taco.”
Klondike, which is owned by Unilever, continues to sell cones, shakes, and its signature Klondike bar nationwide.
The Choco Taco is a waffle cone shaped like a taco shell and filled with fudge-swirled ice cream that is then dipped in chocolate and peanuts.
The Choco Taco may not be found on many grocery store shelves, but it is a mainstay at community pools and ice cream trucks. Taco Bell sold the treat years ago and recently brought it back for a limited time and select locations.
The news of the Choco Taco’s demise sent some Twitter users into a meltdown and revisiting childhood summers.
Others hoped to find a way to prevent the Choco Taco from vanishing, including Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams.
“Dear @Unilever – I’d like to buy the rights to your Choco Taco and keep it from melting away from future generations’ childhoods,” Ohanian tweeted.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, one of the architects of a recently passed bipartisan gun safety law, said he will take legislative action to address the issue.
“Tomorrow I am introducing legislation to invoke the Defense Production Act to mandate the continued manufacture of Choco Tacos,” he wrote. “Please call your Senator and demand they co-sponsor.”
It remains to be seen if the Choco Taco will become a distant memory, or if it will become a novelty treat, something akin to the McDonald’s McRib that still draws crowds when they make an occasional appearance.
