Our Guide To Vegan Options At Taco John’s

Taco John’s is a popular American fast-food chain known for its Western Mexican-inspired cuisine. 

Founded in 1969 by John Turner in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes, including Potato Olés, tacos, burritos, nachos, and salads.

With over 380 locations across 22 states, you might come across a Taco John’s during your travels. If you do, it’s helpful to know which vegan options you can enjoy.

The good news? Taco John’s has several tasty, vegan-friendly choices on the menu—from burritos to tacos—so you can enjoy a satisfying plant-based meal.

Keep reading to find out what you can dig into here.

Vegan-Friendly Tacos At Taco John’s

If you’re coming to Taco John’s for the main event, you’re in luck!

There are two tasty tacos to choose from: the Taco Bravo and the Crispy or Soft Shell Taco—both easily made vegan with a few simple swaps.

Crispy or Soft Shell Taco (Vegan Style)

Order your taco without cheese or beef, and substitute black beans or refried beans. You can enjoy it in your choice of a crispy corn taco shell or a soft flour tortilla. The taco comes topped with fresh lettuce and mild sauce for a simple, satisfying bite.

Taco Bravo (Vegan Style)

The Taco Bravo can be made vegan by replacing the cheese and ground beef with black beans or extra refried beans. This taco features a soft flour tortilla layered with refried beans, mild sauce, crisp lettuce, and diced tomatoes—a flavorful and filling option.

Both of these tacos are quick, customizable, and perfect for a plant-based meal on the go!

Vegan Burrito Options at Taco John’s

When it comes to burritos at Taco John’s, you’ve got three delicious options—all of which can be made vegan with a few simple swaps: the Meat & Potato Burrito, the Super Burrito, and the Refried Bean Burrito.

Meat & Potato Burrito (Vegan Style)

Order this burrito without nacho cheese, sour cream, or beef. Instead, add black beans or refried beans. 

It will be served with Taco John’s signature Potato Olés, diced tomatoes, and crisp lettuce. For extra flavor, feel free to add some vegan-friendly sauces or toppings.

Super Burrito (Vegan Style)

To make the Super Burrito vegan, ask for no sour cream, cheese, or beef, and swap in refried beans or black beans. 

This hearty burrito comes filled with refried beans, mild sauce, diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and onions—making it a flavorful and satisfying choice.

Refried Bean Burrito (Vegan Style)

This burrito comes with refried beans, diced tomatoes, and mild sauce. Just be sure to order it without cheese for a fully vegan option.

Extras for Burritos and Tacos

Want to customize your burrito or taco? Taco John’s offers several tasty vegan-friendly extras for an additional charge:

• Guacamole (creamy and plant-based)
• Diced tomatoes (fresh and juicy)
• Super hot sauce (for an extra kick of spice)

Vegan Side Dishes at Taco John’s

Taco John’s offers plenty of tasty side dishes that can be enjoyed on their own, combined into a meal, or added to your burrito or taco. Here are the vegan-friendly options:

• Guacamole (creamy and flavorful)
• Rice & Beans (confirm they’re prepared without animal ingredients)
• Cilantro Lime Rice (zesty and fresh)
• Side Salad (order with House Dressing or House Salsa, and ask for no cheese)
• Black Beans (a hearty, plant-based protein option)
• Potato Olés (crispy, seasoned potato bites)
• Salsa (perfect for dipping or adding extra flavor)
• Nachos (order without cheese for a crunchy, plant-based snack)

Six Pack & A Pound Meal (Vegan Style)

Craving a hearty meal? Taco John’s Six Pack & A Pound Meal could be a great choice! This combo includes:

• Six tacos: Choose from crunchy or soft shells, and make them vegan by swapping out meat and cheese for black beans or refried beans. You can even mix and match both shell types.
• One pound of Potato Olés: These crispy, seasoned potatoes are a satisfying addition to your tacos.

Vegan Sauces And Dressings

Taco John’s offers a variety of sauces and dressings to enhance your meal. These vegan-friendly options can be added to your tacos, burritos, or sides:

• Pico de Gallo (fresh and chunky tomato salsa)
• Roasted Corn & Pepper Salsa (sweet and smoky)
• Super Hot Sauce (for a fiery kick)
• Mild Sauce (classic and flavorful)
• House Salsa (a great all-around choice)
• Creamy Italian Dressing (for salads or drizzling on sides)

Vegan Dessert Option At Taco John’s

Sorry to those of you with a sweet tooth – currently, the only vegan dessert available at Taco John’s is the Churro. 

However, it’s important to note that the churros are fried in the same fryer as non-vegan items, which may be a concern for some regarding cross-contamination.

A Note on Cross-Contamination

Like many fast-food restaurants, Taco John’s uses shared kitchen equipment, which can lead to cross-contamination. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• All fried items, including Potato Olés and churros, are cooked in shared fryers alongside animal-based products.
• Kitchen tools like tongs, grills, and utensils are used for both vegan and non-vegan items.

While Taco John’s offers several plant-based options, cross-contamination is possible. 

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you are comfortable ordering from their menu with this information in mind.

Final Thoughts

Taco John’s offers a surprisingly wide range of vegan-friendly options. From burritos and tacos to nachos and Potato Olés, there’s plenty to enjoy with just a few simple modifications. 

With so many customizable choices, you won’t feel limited when ordering a tasty, plant-based meal!

Frequently Asked Questions