Tijuana Flats Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Tijuana Flats cooks with: Chips and tortilla shells fried in soybean or canola oil; proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas) grilled with minimal oil; rice cooked in soybean/canola blend. Across the 77 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.9g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Tijuana Flats
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: Street Taco + Bottled Water, 3.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Sour Cream | 0.0g |
| Street Taco | 3.0g |
| Salad | 4.0g |
| Taco (Chicken, 3-pack) | 5.0g |
| Taco (Ground Beef, 3-pack) | 5.0g |
What to Avoid at Tijuana Flats
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Chips & Guacamole | 19.0g |
| Atom Bombs (fried jalapeño poppers) | 14.0g |
| Cheesy Steak Flautas | 14.0g |
| Chimichanga | 13.0g |
| Chicken Chimichanga | 13.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Tijuana Flats use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Tijuana Flats cooks with: Chips and tortilla shells fried in soybean or canola oil; proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas) grilled with minimal oil; rice cooked in soybean/canola blend. Across the 77 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.9g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Tijuana Flats cook with?
Our research indicates: Chips and tortilla shells fried in soybean or canola oil; proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas) grilled with minimal oil; rice cooked in soybean/canola blend. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Tijuana Flats use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Tijuana Flats cooks with Chips and tortilla shells fried in soybean or canola oil; proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas) grilled with minimal oil; rice cooked in soybean/canola blend, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Tijuana Flats seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Tijuana Flats cooks with Chips and tortilla shells fried in soybean or canola oil; proteins (chicken, steak, carnitas) grilled with minimal oil; rice cooked in soybean/canola blend, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Tijuana Flats?
Sour Cream is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tijuana Flats, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Tijuana Flats?
Chips & Guacamole is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tijuana Flats, at an estimated 19.0g 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 Tijuana Flats 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.