Has anybody else run into vegetarian-type problems at Taco Bell?

Question

Trying to order a taco "with beans instead of meat, please" last night, I got a pile of BS from the three kids working there.

"We don't do that."

I wondered how I'd been managing to eat bean Taco Bell tacos for years.

"Well, we're not allowed to. The beans burn our hands."

Given the lukewarm temperature of Taco Bell beans, that was pretty risible (and what are you doing pawing at my beans, anyway? And is the meat cold or something?), but I did not want to play Grumpy Grown-Up and argue with three teen-agers making crap wages, especially not ten minutes before they closed. (There never seems to be anybody much over 16 in Taco Bells here.)

In the US I ran into a few TBs where a bean taco posed a bit of a mystery, but (1) that was a few years ago, and (2) they still managed to do it. This was in Canada; the Taco Bell Canada site says --

http://www.tacobell.ca/english/ourfood/vegetarian.html

...well, anyway. This isn't the death knell for Taco Bell for veggies, is it?

I can't resist adding that the usual problem here involves the non-vegetarian I'm with accidentally getting beans in lieu of meat in his tacos or burritos as well...

Answer 1

I've been hospitalized by a Taco Bell before due to 'contamination' of their beans with beef fat (I've brought this up before). I prefer to avoid them as much as possible because of problems like you describe but I give corporate headquarters credit for at least attempting to be veggie friendly.

The problem is with the individual locations and the company does (as I said) try to eliminate problems as much as possible. The bean taco thingie is common! TB *has* in the past been sued by both customers and employee's over burns from bean tacos! At one time TB sent memos ordering employees to refuse this request as a result. You are welcome to try asking them to make you a bean taco and wrap the whole thing in a flour tortilla, it works sometimes (it's a suggestion from the memo) but don't be surprised if you get that dull, glazed stare from the TB drone.

Just be aware that some TB locations (a few) still insist on adding meat drippings to the beans, even though most locations now get all that stuff pre-made from a commissary (the old time managers do it). Also be aware that in many locations the 7 layer includes taco meat! I almost got nailed that way once, so I now totally avoid them!

The magic words at TB are to tell them "Fresco style, I'm a veggie"! Some have stopped doing it but when they understand it makes a world of difference in how you're treated since headquarters apparently still sends memos to the stores telling them not to screw veggies over (unless you run into an old time manager in which case *watch it*)!

Since corporate had to pay some expensive medical bills I find that calls to headquarters from me attract much more attention.

Anyone want to know what a bunch of bored vegheads did at a Burger king? (since one answer brought them up)

Answer 2

I've had a similar problem trying to order a "burger, no burger" a few places because I basically wanted a cheese sandwich. At Taco Bell I just order the stuff that only comes with beans in the first place.
What's even worse is finding a bit of beef in your bean burrito half-way through.

Answer 3

I order the 7 layer burrito without cheese or sour cream. That works just fine (it's vegan). As far as I know, their beans don't have lard in them. I believe Taco Johns does. We used to order the cheesy bean and rice burritos without cheese and guess what...it would come without the shredded cheese, but would still have the cheese sauce on it. We got so sick of trying to explain no cheese at all, that we don't order those anymore. They would keep putting cheese sauce on it too. But yeah, what do you expect when they are low paid teenagesr; they certainly don't care. We still go to Taco Bell though and get the 7 layers and plain bean burritos. That's really the only option around here.

Answer 4

We like there 7 Layer Burritos, Tostadas & Bean Burritos. Hold the cheese & sour cream. They usually get it right. I don't try to throw a loop into fast food restaurant orders....no ones ever to good at getting changes right.

On vacation in Maui we ordered several 7 Layers w/o cheese & sour cream and the cashier yelled back to the preparer "3 7's hold the cow!" Now if they could all understand that how simple it would be!

Answer 5

I've had a problem with Taco Bell not being willing, for some reason, to give me rice and beans in the same cup. There's a button for it. On the register. Come on.

I've found it varies from restaraunt to restaurant and shift to shift. You might go in there tomorrow and they won't have any problem doing it. Or, for instance, the Taco Bell by my house won't give me rice and beans but the one near work will.

I guess that's what comes of not paying your employees enough to care in the least.

Answer 6

I have actually never had that problem. I eat Taco Bell quite frequently and order things with "beans, no meat" all the time. It's my favorite fast food restaurant to eat it at.

Answer 7

Actually, I never goto Taco bell, because afaik, thaere are no vegetarian options.

Now, i may be wrong about this, so please don#t panic, but I was always told that their refried beans are made with LARD and therefor not vegetarian.

One time I went there because I was with friends who really wanted to and ordered a salad *without* the refried beans, as the only vegetarian option at all. I started eating it - and guess what I found once I'd removed the top layer of lettuce? *rolls eyes*

So, in a nutshell, no, I never have problems at Taco Bell - because I'm never *at* Taco Bell. *g* Of all the fast food chains, they're clearly the most vegetarian-unfriendly.

Answer 8

they always think you say beef when you say bean and try to charge you more...once I drove away without realizing they gave me a beef burito and was on a lunch break and had to get back (and got a New Rome speeding ticket for doing 45 in 35 zone)...bad day...expensive wrong burrito...New Rome is defunct now , thank God. They have long lines and probably do not make much money, so they don't care if they are rude to you or not.

Answer 9

that happens to me all the time! all they have is stuff with meat in it. and like the food without meat in it tastes kinda funny. but besides that i love taco bell. i want some right now actually. but sadly i have no money for it right now. so very sad...

Answer 10

I'm a vegan imagine beans instead of meat and lettuce instead of cheese on my mexican pizza and the getting them not to charge you for extras and I do it every week and they WERE totally BSing you. keep the faitha nd maybe it will be on the menu for real someday.