Taco Tico Seed Oil Report Card
Safest Orders
| Mexican Rice Side | 3.0g PUFA |
| Beans & Cheese Side | 4.0g PUFA |
| Tostada (Original) | 4.0g PUFA |
| Soft Taco | 5.0g PUFA |
| Cheese Quesadilla | 5.0g PUFA |
Watch Out For
| Taco Salad | 20.0g PUFA |
| Combo Plate (taco + burrito + rice + beans) | 16.0g PUFA |
| Nachos | 12.0g PUFA |
| Nachos Supreme (with beef & cheese) | 12.0g PUFA |
| Sancho (fried burrito) | 11.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does Taco Tico use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Taco Tico cooks with: Soybean oil for all fried items (crispy taco shells, sanchos, taco burgers, tostada shells, cinnamon crustos, nachos chips); beef tallow trace in taco meat only. Across the 17 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Taco Tico cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean oil for all fried items (crispy taco shells, sanchos, taco burgers, tostada shells, cinnamon crustos, nachos chips); beef tallow trace in taco meat only. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
What is the safest thing to order at Taco Tico?
Mexican Rice Side is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Taco Tico, at an estimated 3.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Taco Tico?
Taco Salad is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Taco Tico, at an estimated 20.0g 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 John's · Taco Mayo · Taco Palenque · Taco Time · Taco Villa · Tacos 4 Life
See where Taco Tico lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.