Tijuana Flats Seed Oil Report Card
Safest Orders
| Rice & Beans | 3.0g PUFA |
| Burrito (Steak) | 5.0g PUFA |
| Taco (Chicken, 3-pack) | 5.0g PUFA |
| Taco (Ground Beef, 3-pack) | 5.0g PUFA |
| Bowl (Chicken) | 5.0g PUFA |
Watch Out For
| Chips & Guacamole | 19.0g PUFA |
| Atom Bombs (fried jalapeño poppers) | 14.0g PUFA |
| Nachos (Chicken) | 12.0g PUFA |
| Tijuana Trio (chips, salsa, queso, guac sampler) | 12.0g PUFA |
| Chips & Queso | 10.0g PUFA |
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 15 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.2g 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.
What is the safest thing to order at Tijuana Flats?
Rice & Beans is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Tijuana Flats, at an estimated 3.0g 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
The Halal Shack · The Simple Greek · Tiff's Treats · Tim Hortons · Togo's · Tokyo Joe's
See where Tijuana Flats lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch.