El Taco Tote Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, El Taco Tote cooks with: Lard for griddle cooking, refried/charro beans, and quesadilla tortillas (confirmed by multiple reviewer reports and okgourmet.com listing lard as cooking oil); canola/soybean blend presumed for deep-frying fish, shrimp, and fries (standard commercial fryer practice; no direct confirmation found). Across the 89 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at El Taco Tote
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Sirloin Taco + Iced Tea, 3.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Aguas Frescas | 0.0g |
| Pico de Gallo | 0.0g |
| Flan | 1.0g |
| Baked Potato | 1.0g |
| Sirloin Taco | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at El Taco Tote
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Panchos Supreme Nachos - Sirloin | 13.0g |
| Super Quesadilla | 12.0g |
| Panchos Supreme Nachos - Chicken | 12.0g |
| Panchos (loaded fries/chips) | 11.0g |
| Super Quesadilla - Sirloin | 11.0g |
Frequently asked
Does El Taco Tote use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, El Taco Tote cooks with: Lard for griddle cooking, refried/charro beans, and quesadilla tortillas (confirmed by multiple reviewer reports and okgourmet.com listing lard as cooking oil); canola/soybean blend presumed for deep-frying fish, shrimp, and fries (standard commercial fryer practice; no direct confirmation found). Across the 89 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does El Taco Tote cook with?
Our research indicates: Lard for griddle cooking, refried/charro beans, and quesadilla tortillas (confirmed by multiple reviewer reports and okgourmet.com listing lard as cooking oil); canola/soybean blend presumed for deep-frying fish, shrimp, and fries (standard commercial fryer practice; no direct confirmation found). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does El Taco Tote use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates El Taco Tote cooks with Lard for griddle cooking, refried/charro beans, and quesadilla tortillas (confirmed by multiple reviewer reports and okgourmet.com listing lard as cooking oil); canola/soybean blend presumed for deep-frying fish, shrimp, and fries (standard commercial fryer practice; no direct confirmation found), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is El Taco Tote seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates El Taco Tote cooks with Lard for griddle cooking, refried/charro beans, and quesadilla tortillas (confirmed by multiple reviewer reports and okgourmet.com listing lard as cooking oil); canola/soybean blend presumed for deep-frying fish, shrimp, and fries (standard commercial fryer practice; no direct confirmation found), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at El Taco Tote?
Aguas Frescas is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Taco Tote, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at El Taco Tote?
Panchos Supreme Nachos - Sirloin is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at El Taco Tote, at an estimated 13.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
Taco Bell · Chipotle · Qdoba · Moe's Southwest Grill · Del Taco · Taco John's
See where El Taco Tote lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.