Vegetarian and Gluten-Free at the Taco Stand: What You Can Actually Eat

Not everyone in your group eats meat, and plenty of people are watching their gluten. The good news is that a Mexican street stand is one of the friendlier places to eat when you have those needs, because so much of the food is built around simple, fresh ingredients. Here is an honest guide to eating well at Juanito's Tacos when you are vegetarian or avoiding gluten.

Eating vegetarian at the stand

Mexican cooking has a deep love of beans, rice, cheese and fresh vegetables, so there is a lot to work with. Just let us know when you order and we can build meat-free versions of many of our favorites:

• Bean and cheese burrito: our classic burrito is easy to make vegetarian with beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and sour cream instead of meat. It is hearty and filling all on its own.
• Cheese quesadilla: a warm flour tortilla folded over plenty of melted cheese. Simple, satisfying, and a hit with kids.
• Veggie nachos: chips loaded with cheese, beans, jalapenos, sour cream and pico. Ask us to leave the meat off.
• Bean and cheese tacos: the same fresh toppings you love, built without the meat.

A quick heads up on beans: if you are strictly vegetarian or vegan, ask us how the beans are prepared, since some recipes use animal fat. We are always happy to answer so you can order with confidence.

Eating gluten-free at the stand

This is where corn tortillas are your best friend. Corn tortillas are made from corn rather than wheat, so many guests who avoid gluten choose them over flour tortillas. That makes a plate of street tacos on corn tortillas a natural starting point.

Meats seasoned simply, fresh cilantro, onion, tomato, lettuce and cheese are all straightforward choices. Flour tortillas, on the other hand, contain wheat, so burritos, tortas and quesadillas made on flour are not gluten-free.

An honest word about cross-contact

We want to be straight with you, because your health matters more than a sale. We cook in a small, busy street stand where ingredients and surfaces share space. That means we cannot promise a fully allergen-free preparation. Corn tortillas are naturally corn-based, but if you have celiac disease or a serious wheat allergy, please tell us clearly when you order so we can help you choose as carefully as possible. If your needs are strict, we would rather help you find something safe than have you take a risk.

Tips for ordering with dietary needs

• Speak up early. Tell us what you avoid before we start building. It is much easier at the start than at the end.
• Keep it simple. The fewer components, the easier it is to keep your order clean. Meat, corn tortilla and a couple of fresh toppings is a safe, delicious combo.
• Ask questions. We would rather you ask than guess. There are no silly questions when it comes to what you can eat.

Come eat with us, whatever your plate looks like

Whether you are skipping the meat, skipping the wheat, or feeding a table where everyone eats a little differently, we can put together something fresh and satisfying for you. See the full menu for ideas, then come see us in Urbana, open every day from 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM. Have a specific question before you visit? Reach out and we will help you plan your order.