Rules are made to be broken, and menus are made to be customized. At least, some menus were, and Taco Bell's is among them. The fast food chain actually encourages customers to make substitutions and other alterations to the official menu items; they even publish tips on how to order avegan, vegetarian, orlower-calorie meal, or how to just switch things up for the sake of fun and tastiness.
If you aspire to be a regular Taco Bell menu customizer, and especially if you have certain dietary restrictions, there's one phrase you need to know: "Fresco style." Ordering a menu item Fresco style means leaving off certain ingredients, namely dairy and some egg-based items, and replacing them with diced tomatoes.
Many items on the Taco Bell menu include cheese, sour cream, or mayo-based sauces by default, but Fresco is your magic word to nix all that. This simple alteration is all you need to make certain items vegan, or if you're trying to cut down on fat and calories. It may be a health-conscious option, but it doesn't make you feel like your tacos are missing anything. Because the dairy- and egg-based ingredients are subbed out for juicy tomatoes, there's an added dimension of flavor. After all, the saying is "Live Más," not "live less."
The first thing you should know is that "Fresco style" is an official Taco Bell offering, not an off-menu creation or hack, so employees at Taco Bell locations everywhere are aware of the term and what it means. And while it's a super useful modification to know about, you should be sure you understand exactly what items it adds and removes.
Ordering something Fresco style will leave off, specifically, "mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream," according to Taco Bell. Note that it will not automatically make any menu item vegan — if you order a Crunchy Taco Supreme, Fresco style, it'll still have the beef that comes in it by default, just no cheese or sour cream. And it excludes mayo-based sauces, but not all egg-based ingredients. If you manage to arrive before breakfast ends and order the Cheesy Toasted Potato Breakfast Burrito, Fresco style, it will exclude the nacho cheese, but not the scrambled eggs.
As mentioned, Fresco style means you're adding tomatoes, so be aware of that when ordering. If you don't want tomatoes, don't use the F-word (fresco, that is). Just ask them to hold the cheese and chipotle sauce, or whatever it may be.
Order Up
Nowadays, there are several ways to place an order at Taco Bell, from the restaurant's website to the good old drive-through. And while ordering online might seem easier to some, it's important to know that details like substitutions can still get lost in the shuffle this way.
It's possible to make all these alterations and more through Taco Bell's online ordering platforms or in-store tablets –- "Fresco style" is even presented as an option. But if you have an allergy or other serious dietary restriction, you may want to place your order in person and clearly articulate it to the staff member. Little notes on a piece of paper can easily be missed, so if some unwanted cheese means you won't be able to eat your lunch at all, it's probably safer to use your words.
But assuming communication is all clear, ordering Fresco style is a great trick for making Taco Bell's affordable and convenient food better suit a variety of dietary needs and tastes. Ordering the Black Bean Crunchwrap Supreme or a simple Bean Burrito, Fresco style, makes both of those dishes vegan-friendly. And don't forget, you can still swap meat out for potatoes in tacos and burritos for a delicious plant-based option.
If you aspire to be a regular Taco Bell menu customizer, and especially if you have certain dietary restrictions, there's one phrase you need to know: "Fresco style." Ordering a menu item Fresco style means leaving off certain ingredients, namely dairy and some egg-based items, and replacing them with diced tomatoes.
Almost any menu item can be customized “Fresco style”, which replaces items typically higher in calories and fat, like mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. With this quick customization tool, you can reduce calories and fat by up to 25%. Mind = blown.
Lifted from the Italian word 'fresco' ('fresh'), the term refers to wall paintings generally made on wet plaster so that the coloured pigment is absorbed into the surface of the wall, resulting in brilliant, vibrant colours.
At Taco Bell, “Al Fresco” means enjoying your favorite Mexican-inspired foods with a healthier twist. It's all about choosing fresher, lighter options for your meal. When you opt for Al Fresco items at Taco Bell, you're choosing to replace the usual cheese and sauce with fresh, zesty salsa.
If the word fresco brings to mind images of eating an alfresco meal—that is, a meal eaten outside “in the fresh air”—your gut is on the right track: fresco is Italian for “fresh,” and the culinary usage is relatively common in English.
If you aspire to be a regular Taco Bell menu customizer, and especially if you have certain dietary restrictions, there's one phrase you need to know: "Fresco style." Ordering a menu item Fresco style means leaving off certain ingredients, namely dairy and some egg-based items, and replacing them with diced tomatoes.
For those who are concerned about calorie or fat intake, you can customize your food “Fresco style” – which replaces cheese, nacho cheese sauce, mayo-based sauces and reduced-fat sour cream with tomatoes, at no additional cost.
The most well-known fresco is the Sistine Chapel ceiling painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. Another iconic example of fresco painting is the 13th century masterpiece, Giotto di Bondone's Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy.
The same applies to their burrito supreme; when made fresco style, the entire thing comes out to 340 calories with 9 grams of fiber and 16 grams of protein. Yes, there's quite a bit of fat, too, but it's much better than if you included the sour cream and cheese.
Despite Taco Bell retiring “fresco-style,” ordering vegan requires just a few swaps. Ask for beans in place of beef, and remember to forgo cheese and sour cream. Make your order even heftier by asking for extra tomatoes or adding potatoes or guacamole. We love ordering for pickup via the website or the app.
However, Taco Bell is one of the healthiest fast food chains available and also has options to make their extensive menu vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and low-calorie. About 75% of the menu is under 500 calories, which is great for fast food and a quick meal option.
For those who are concerned about calorie or fat intake, you can customize your food “Fresco style” – which replaces cheese, nacho cheese sauce, mayo-based sauces and reduced-fat sour cream with tomatoes, at no additional cost.
According to Taco Bell, ordering a menu item "fresco style" means that cheese, sour cream, mayo-based sauces, and other high-calorie and high-fat toppings are switched out for diced tomatoes.
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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