Taco John’s: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Taco John’s makes vegetarian ordering simple, even without a dedicated menu. The refried beans are cooked in vegetable fat instead of lard, and the flour and street-taco tortillas are fully vegan, so almost any taco or burrito on the menu turns meatless once you swap in beans. That trick works at any of the chain’s roughly 370 locations across the Midwest and Mountain West.

What to order at Taco John’s

The Refried Bean Burrito is the default vegetarian order, flour tortilla, beans, cheese, and onion, and it goes vegan the moment you skip the cheese. A Bean Tostada works the same way, and you can order any Crispy or Soft Taco with beans swapped in for the meat. The Meat & Potato Burrito and Super Burrito convert just as easily: ask for beans instead of beef, and the Potato Olés, rice, tortilla, and salsas inside all stay plant-based. Potato Olés on their own are vegan too, and the Side Salad rounds things out with House dressing.

What to watch out for

Cheese and sour cream show up by default on burritos and tacos, so ask for them left off if you’re vegan. The Potato Olés share a fryer with meat items, which matters if cross-contact is a concern for you. Skip the Mexican Donut Bites and Churro if you’re avoiding dairy, since both contain it. The Four Cheese Quesadilla and Spicy Potato Griller both need a cheese check before you order, since content can vary by location.