Vegan Taco Bell

There have been too many Saturday nights after the bars where I have seen that purple bell glowing in the distance, and have sprinted my ass as fast as possible to get to the shining doors known as Taco Bell.

I can't say I'm proud, but to me, the thought that I can wolf down a Crunchwrap Supreme at 2:30 AM is just heavenly.

So whether you have the drunk munchies, are on the road and need some grub, or are just unaware that Taco Bell is actually a vegan-friendly fast food chain, I am about to blow your mind.

Taco Bell marks their ingredients as certified vegan or vegetarian. They have a Nutrition Calculator on their website where they list every item they have like sauces, drinks, taco shells, and anything else you have questions about. It gives the exact breakdown of all the ingredients that are in each item and at the end says if it's certified vegan or vegetarian, and if there are any food allergens. It's here that I learned the "Fire" hot sauce is NOT certified vegan.

Go for the Crunchwrap Supreme. Tell the cashier that you want beans instead of beef and you want it to be made "fresco." Fresco means they will take off the cheese and sour cream and replace it with pico de gallo. Also, I highly suggest adding potatoes and guacamole. Game. Changer. Douse those things in hot sauce and you are good to go.

Of course there are other things on the menu you can get. The veggie power burrito (remove the ranch sauce), the tacos, Double Decker tacos, the taco salad without the crunchy taco bowl, and basically anything on the menu as long as you follow the tips below.

TIPS

• Beans instead of beef. Always. Taco Bell has both refried beans and black beans and they are both certified vegan and a great source of protein.

• The magic word...FRESCO! By telling your cashier that you want to make it fresco, it means that they will take off the cheese and sour cream and often times replaces it with pico de gallo. I read that saying this might also take off the guacamole, so make sure to specify that you want that on it.

• Add potatoes, rice, guacamole (not the avocado ranch sauce. It is not vegan), chunky salsa, or red sauce whenever you want.

• Taco shells, Gordita flatbreads, and Tostada shells are all certified vegan. The taco salad shell is not.

• "Hot" and "Mild" sauces are vegan but the "Fire" is not. I read somewhere that one of the "natural flavors" in the fire sauce is derived from animal products and it is not certified vegan on their website.

• Cinnamon twists for dessert!

Eating out as a vegan is becoming more and more accessible for the everyday person. By opting for vegan items at fast food restaurants, It is showing that those items are desirable and it's a huge way that companies such as Taco Bell will put more effort into catering for that audience. You may think that supporting fast food chains is helping to support the meat industry, but shopping at a grocery store, even a place like Whole Foods, is doing the same thing. You are putting your money into the company but you are also increasing the sales on vegan items. I believe that the more people support vegan items at normal businesses, the more veganism will be noticed and supported by those businesses. It is not the most ideal and healthy meal, but it is a way to eat vegan for cheap at basically anytime of day.

Now let your late night cravings be filled!