Taco Bell is a popular fast food restaurant that serves Mexican-inspired cuisine like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. Many of Taco Bell’s menu items contain cheese as a standard ingredient, like their Crunchy Tacos, Soft Tacos, and Quesadillas. However, some customers may wish to order these items without cheese due to dietary restrictions, personal preferences, or health reasons. The good news is that yes, you can absolutely request no cheese at Taco Bell. The restaurant is happy to accommodate customized orders and omit cheese from any menu item upon request. Here’s what you need to know about asking for no cheese at Taco Bell:
Can You Order Taco Bell Items Without Cheese?
The answer is yes, you can order any Taco Bell menu item without cheese. When placing your order, simply ask for the item to be prepared without cheese. For example, you can say:
– “Can I get a Crunchy Taco with no cheese?”
– “I’d like a Soft Taco Supreme with no cheese please.”
– “Can I have a Beef Quesadilla but without the cheese?”
Taco Bell employees are used to accommodating custom orders, so special requests like this are very common. They will prepare your items as requested by leaving off the cheese before assembling the rest of the ingredients.
What Menu Items Have Cheese?
Many popular items at Taco Bell are typically made with cheese by default. Here are some of the main menu items that normally contain cheese:
– Crunchy Tacos – Cheddar cheese
– Soft Tacos – Cheddar cheese
– Quesadillas – Cheddar cheese and shredded mozzarella
– Nachos – Cheddar cheese sauce
– Cheesy Gordita Crunch – Cheddar cheese
– Loaded Grillers – Cheddar cheese
– Chalupas – Cheddar cheese
– Burritos – Cheddar cheese in some varieties like Cheesy Bean and Rice
So if you wish to omit cheese from any of the above items, be sure to specify “no cheese” when ordering. The employees will prepare your order accordingly.
Reasons People May Request No Cheese
There are several reasons why a customer may request no cheese when ordering Taco Bell, including:
- Dairy allergy or intolerance – Cheese contains dairy, so those with an allergy or intolerance to milk products need to avoid it.
- Vegan diet – Vegans do not consume animal products like cheese.
- Vegetarian preferences – Some vegetarians may eat eggs and dairy but prefer to avoid cheese.
- Religious restrictions – Some religions prohibit consumption of dairy.
- Keto or low carb diet – Cheese is high in carbohydrates, so keto dieters try to avoid it.
- Dislike of cheese – Some people simply don’t care for the taste of cheese.
- Health reasons – Cheese is high in sodium, saturated fat, and calories, so some avoid it for nutrition.
Whatever their motivation, Taco Bell can accommodate no cheese requests for all of these customers. The cooks are trained to make any alterations required.
Possible Substitutions Instead of Cheese
Instead of cheese, customers omitting it from their Taco Bell orders may request some substitutions or alternative add-ons. Here are some common replacements for cheese:
– Extra meat (beef, chicken, steak)
– Refried beans or black beans
– Guacamole
– Salsa
– Sour cream
– Lettuce
– Tomatoes
– Onions
– Cilantro
– Jalapeños
Adding a little extra meat or other toppings can help make up for the missing cheese in terms of flavor and texture. Just ask the cashier what substitutions are available on the item you’re ordering.
Items That Don’t Normally Contain Cheese
While many Taco Bell menu items come with cheese automatically, there are also some items that never contain cheese, including:
- Fresco menu options – These are made without cheese or sour cream.
- Bean burritos – No cheese in the standard recipe.
- Beefy Fritos burritos – No cheese included.
- Soft/Crunchy Beef Tacos – Seasoned beef only, no cheese.
- Soft/Crunchy Chicken Tacos – Shredded chicken only, no cheese.
- Cheesy Roll Up – This contains a cheese blend but you can ask for no cheese.
So if you wish to avoid cheese entirely, these menu items give you some options that require no customization. You can order them as-is off the standard menu.
Informing Staff About Allergy or Intolerance
If you are omitting cheese due to a food allergy or intolerance, be sure to inform staff when ordering. You’ll want to verify with employees that your order has been prepared without cheese and prevent cross-contamination with other menu items containing dairy ingredients. Taco Bell staff take food allergies very seriously for customer safety.
Some other tips for ordering dairy-free:
– Check ingredient labels and nutrition info online for cheese-free choices.
– Ask about preparation surfaces and utensils if you have a severe dairy allergy.
– Request new gloves to prevent cross-contact.
– Customize orders to avoid cheese and other dairy ingredients like sour cream.
Being clear about your allergy or intolerance will help ensure you receive your order just the way you need it.
Ordering Vegan at Taco Bell
For vegan customers wishing to avoid cheese and all other animal products, Taco Bell has many animal product-free options. Their American Vegetarian Association (AVA)-certified American Vegetarian menu features several cheese-free choices perfect for vegans, such as:
– Bean Burritos
– Fresco Bean Burritos
– 7-Layer Burritos
– Crunchy Tacos with beans substituted for meat
– Black Beans and Rice
Vegans will also want to skip cheese add-ons like their nacho cheese sauce. With some simple substitutions and customizations, you can enjoy tasty Tex-Mex inspired vegan meals. Just inform staff that you need your items prepared 100% vegan.
Low Carb and Keto Orders Without Cheese
For customers omitting cheese as part of a low carb or ketogenic diet, be aware that most Taco Bell menu items will still be relatively high in carbs even without cheese. Corn tortillas, beans, rice and sauces all contain a good amount of carbohydrates. The lowest carb options are likely:
– Protein Bowl without rice, beans or cheese
– Soft taco lettuce wraps without cheese
– Crunchy tacos with no cheese and subbing beef for beans
Also request no thick, starchy sauces which are higher in carbs. Stick to salsas and guacamole instead. Let the staff know you need your meal prepared low carb without any cheese or other high carb ingredients.
Tips for Ordering at Taco Bell Without Cheese
Here are some top tips for customers ordering cheese-free Taco Bell:
- Clearly state that you need your order prepared without cheese.
- Mention any food allergies upfront to prevent cross-contamination.
- Customize orders to replace cheese with extras like meat, guac or salsa.
- For low carb orders, avoid tortillas, beans, rice and thick sauces.
- Check the website menu for cheese-free choices before ordering.
- The Fresco menu and bean burritos make good dairy-free options.
- Request new gloves if you have a severe dairy allergy.
- Double check your order before driving away to ensure no cheese was added by mistake.
As long as you communicate your needs clearly, Taco Bell is happy to accommodate no cheese requests. Follow these tips to get it right every time.
Speaking with a Manager About Allergy Procedures
For customers with severe dairy or cheese allergies, it can provide added reassurance to speak with a Taco Bell manager directly. You can request to speak with a manager on duty to explain your allergy situation and ask about their procedures. This allows you to have an open conversation about cross-contamination risks and safety protocols at that specific location. Issues you may wish to discuss include:
- Asking whether they have designated allergen-friendly preparation areas.
- Making sure employees change gloves and wash equipment between allergen orders.
- Asking if allergen orders are labeled and bagged separately.
- Seeking details on employee allergen training protocols.
- Discussing whether friers or grills are used for both dairy and non-dairy items.
Managers should be able to provide transparency about these safety processes and reassure you of their precautions. Don’t ever hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns to help protect your health and accommodate your dietary needs.
Conclusion
At Taco Bell, customers can feel confident requesting no cheese on any menu items to accommodate dietary preferences or requirements. The restaurant is very willing to omit cheese from tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and more upon request. Be clear in your order about needing no cheese. For food allergies, inform staff upfront and consider speaking to a manager about safety protocols. With some simple customizations to your order, you can enjoy delicious Tex-Mex cuisine from Taco Bell without the cheese. No matter your reasons for avoiding cheese, Taco Bell can fix up cheese-free menu items that align with your diet or restrictions. Just know the right things to ask for so your experience eating at Taco Bell can be an enjoyable one.
