Taco Bell for vegetarians?

Question

I've confirmed that my local taco bell uses vegetarian refried beans (if anyone else has evidence to the contrary, let me know) but was wondering if anyone knows whether the Spanish Rice used in stuff like the seven-layer burrito is made with any kind of animal broth? That darn burrito is my favorite fast food so if there's any other animal products used in creating it, I'd be grateful to know. (til then, i'm gonna order it without the rice)

Answer 1

You're in luck! Yes the seven-layer burrito is vegetarian!!

Take a look at this info from the Vegetarian Resource Group:
"TACO BELL: If requested, Taco Bell will send a list of their menu items that are suitable for vegetarians. Under their lacto-ovo heading, they list the following: Pintos & Cheese, Bean Burrito, Bean Tostada, Mexican Rice, Seven Layer Burrito (no sour cream), Cheese, Gordita Shells, Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, Creamy Lime Sauce, Pepper Jack Sauce, Baja Sauce, Fiesta Salsa, Red Sauce, Hot/Mild/Fire Sauce, Green Sauce, Pizza Sauce, Guacamole, and Taco Shell. Under their vegan heading, they list: Bean Burrito (without cheese), Bean Tostada (without cheese), Mexican Rice (without cheese), Seven Layer Burrito (no sour cream, no cheese), Hot/Mild/Fire Sauce, Fiesta Salsa, Red Sauce, Soft Tortillas, Pizza Sauce, Green Sauce, Guacamole, and Taco Shell. Taco Bell used to have two different distributors for the Mexican Rice. They are no longer using the distributor which had milk derivatives in the rice. NOTE that the sour cream does contain gelatin, which is animal based.

Taco Bell stressed that while the ingredients listed above may be categorized as acceptable for certain types of vegetarian diets, all ingredients are handled by employees in common with other ingredients which may not be acceptable to certain types of vegetarian diets."
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And you can also see the list of ingredients for various items on the Taco Bell menu here:
http://www.yum.com/nutrition/documents/tb_ingredient_statement.pdf

Answer 2

I was in Taco Bell just the other day when some kind of middle easterner came in (he had a turban on) and was asking them about all of the burrito ingredients, etc. The manager came out and was very thorough in explaining the items on the menu that were made that vegetarians could eat. When in doubt, ask -- the management will definitely want to find something that you can eat - lol

Answer 3

Agag22 gives a good answer as per TB corporate headquarters!

Just keep in mind that some of the locations like to mess with the ingredients (I got nailed by the beans once) and that in some areas/franchises they put meat into the 7 layer. You'll see me issue this warning every time TB comes up.

Telling them "Fresco style, I'm a veggie" seems to help since corporate apparently sends frequent memos telling them not to mess with us. Just be warned that some creeps hear that and decide to screw things up on purpose. If JD works at TB, that would be an example of the type!

Answer 4

I have been told by many people working at Taco Bell that the rice actually is made with chicken stock. This was a few years ago that I found this out and stopped eating it, so I'm not sure if things have changed, but since then I have not touched the rice or anything with rice at Taco Bell. Happy hunting!

Answer 5

Personally I avoid Taco Bell like the plaque. Often I have eaten their bean burrito that is lukewarm at best and have felt ill. If you must eat fast food try Subway, Quiznos, or Chipotle.

Personally I either eat a raw foodist diet at home and feel great doing so or I go to the local vegetarian restaurant and or make very selective choices at better quality restaurants. Either spend the money because you are worth it or if you are too poor eat good quality food at home as it is cheaper than going out, even compared to fast food.

Answer 6

sassy people are not very nice.

anyway, on to helping you, i am pretty sure taco bell is good for vegetarians. a friend of mine is stricly vegan and he is up to date with all of this stuff. i just became vegetarian and he recommended taco bell (and a whole bunch of other places) for fast food. it's one of those things that are like, well he said it, so it must be right. usually i don't go by that, i like looking into things myself, but this guy, seriously, he knows his vegetarianism and veganism.

SO bottom line, safe to say that you can still eat your burrito!

ok look, i got this from his website:

"If you need fast food, you can veganize the bean burrito and Mexican pizza at TACO BELL. Just order them without meat and cheese. You can order the veggie sub at SUBWAY without cheese and make that vegan as well. A little trick I do on the road is stop at a grocery store and buy a package of LIGHTLIFE SOY turkey slices, and then add it to the veggie sub when I get back to the hotel."

Answer 7

Great question...
I love eating taco bell... For variety, I'll order just about anything on the menu with bean instead of the beef. A good bean quesadea, or the CrunchWrap Supreme with beans... YUMMY!

Answer 8

Just avoid fast food completely. You are negating the health advantages of being vegetarian.

Answer 9

One of the layers in the 7-layer is sour cream.

Answer 10

once when i made spanish rice, the recipe doesn't call for any broth or anything.

you could try looking at their website, or send a letter to the headquarters asking for ingredients or something.