If you’re a vegan, you’ve probably wondered, “Why don’t they have Taco Bell and Chipotle in Mexico?” You’re not alone. Many other Mexicans feel the same way about these fast-food chains. It is not just the price that is the issue. People also have problems with the menus and the hard shell tortillas.
Problems with Taco Bell and Chipotle in Mexico
There are several problems with Taco Bell and Chipotle in the Mexican market. Both chains are aggressively expanding their business and introducing new premium products. However, Chipotle’s share price fell in the fourth quarter of 2012 as comparable sales slipped. Chipotle also suffered from rising foodborne illnesses and competition. The company’s stock price declined 60 percent in the past three years.
The two chains have been dominating the Mexican fast-food industry for decades. Although these companies are not responsible for the obesity epidemic in the country, they have become a large part of the subculture of suburban teenagers. As a result, anti-obesity campaigns have unfairly targeted Taco Bell and Chipotle. In addition, these chains have cult-like followings, which is a negative for them.
Taco Bell was known to have a food safety issue and was blamed for a large salmonella outbreak in 2011. In that outbreak, 68 diners contracted salmonella. The CDC referred to the offending restaurant as “Restaurant Chain A.” CDC officials said the chain had not been selling contaminated food but that the problem occurred before the food reached the restaurants.
In 2007, Taco Bell tried to expand into Mexico. However, Mexican customers considered the fast-food chain’s tacos inauthentic. The company was forced to rebrand some of its popular items in Mexico. The crunchy taco, for example, had to be rebranded as a ‘tostada’ to appeal to Mexican customers.
Leadership issues have marred the company’s recent history. Former CEO Montgomery F. Moran resigned in 2016 after the company was sued over the quality of its taco filling. The new CEO, Brian Niccol, inherited the company and has extensive experience expanding the brand. The company has opened dozens of recent locations in the past few years but has not built an adequate infrastructure to support these growths.
Vegan menu
Both Mexican fast-food chains are planning to release a vegan menu soon. The new menu will feature bean-filled burritos and vegan cinnamon twists. These vegan items are made with rice flour, wheat flour, and yellow cornmeal but do not contain animal products.
Taco Bell offers a vegan menu, and customers can browse the menu before ordering. If the Taco Bell you order from delivers, specify any substitutions. Otherwise, you may be in a situation where you can’t call the dish you want. Then, check the nutrition facts and the ingredients statement. Remember that the menu frequently changes, so check back regularly to see what’s new.
Both Taco Bell and Chipotle offer vegan options in their restaurants. The vegan version of their burritos contains the same vegetables as the meat version but does not have any cheese. The same goes for guacamole. If you’d like a dish that includes cheese, you can order a black bean taco instead.
The vegan menu will debut in Mexico in May. Taco Bell has long boasted of being a vegetarian-friendly restaurant. The vegetarian versions of its famous tacos have recently received certification from the American Vegetarian Association. Taco Bell’s menu changes could improve its relationship with younger consumers, as a younger generation is increasingly adopting vegetarianism.
Taco Bell is making it easier to order vegan food. If you order “fresco style,” the employee will know to substitute dairy-based ingredients with tomatoes and mayo-based sauce. However, you will still have to specify that you need beef-free items.
Prices
Although many consumers in the United States and other countries are concerned about rising prices at fast-food restaurants, it is still possible for them to keep the exact costs. Taco Bell and Chipotle have been raising prices consistently over the past few years, but in recent months, the companies have begun adding new menu items to increase their profits. Adding new things is an excellent way to attract new customers, but it is not the only way. In recent months, Chipotle has also stepped up its marketing efforts. The company has recently introduced a new chicken dish called Pollo Asado.
The Mexican market has been particularly lucrative for the two companies. Demand for Mexican fast food has increased, and many consumers prefer fast-casual dining. Besides Taco Bell, Chipotle’s main competitors are Qdoba Mexican Eats, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, and Rubio’s Coastal Grill. The two companies face off against each other regarding price and menu quality.
Both companies attempt to woo the lunchtime professional market with low-cost Mexican fare. The company also aims to expand into the fast-casual segment, a growing industry with an increasingly upscale feel. Yum owns Taco Bell! Brands a company is known for its high-quality ingredients and fast-serve meals.
Both chains have a wide range of menu items. However, Taco Bell’s menu is not as customizable as Chipotle’s. And Taco Bell is open until 2 AM, but prices at Chipotle are more similar to those at higher-end fast-food restaurants.
Hardshell tortillas
Hardshell tortillas are the most common form of taco shell and are prevalent in Mexican cuisine. Taco Bell’s soft tortilla is a bit different. It is much thicker than traditional taco shells and is often reminiscent of pita bread. The tortilla also lacks the saltiness that hard shell tortillas have.
Taco Bell and Chipotle serve hard-shell tacos, but they are not made in Mexico. The taco shell is a product of a process known as nixtamal, which requires boiling the maize kernels overnight in diluted quicklime. Afterward, the mixture is cooled and becomes soft and malleable. This process is a thousand-year-old tradition in Mexico and is still practiced today.
To eat authentic Mexican food, you shouldn’t order tacos from Chipotle. Chipotle uses hard-shell corn tortillas and does not use homemade tortillas. They also serve shredded cheese instead of Cotija or Queso Blanco, the two most common types of cheese in Mexican cuisine.
Although both Taco Bell and Chipotle serve hard-shell tacos, there is a history behind the tacos’ popularity. Lucia Rodriguez opened a restaurant in San Bernardino, California, in 1937. In her restaurant, she developed the famous taco recipe.
Tacos are a popular food in Mexico, but much more than a simple corn tortilla. Mexican tacos have varying ingredients and cultures. They have a variety of names, including “tacos dorado” and “taquitos.”
Taco Bell and Chipotle use hard shell tortillas in Mexico. These tortillas are made in Mexico with a unique recipe and a secret sauce. They use corn to make their tortillas so that they can cook them tortillas. In addition, they use fresh corn and press them down gently in a wire basket.
Ground beef
If you’re wondering why ground beef has disappeared from Taco Bell and Chipotle in Mexico, the answer is pretty simple: people have been using a plant-based alternative for a while. Taco Bell is the only American fast-food chain certified by the American Vegetarian Association. But it wasn’t until April that the company started testing a plant-based ground beef alternative. By June, the chain had introduced a plant-based ground beef substitute and also released a vegan version of its popular Naked Chalupa, essentially a fried chicken substitute.
To make ground beef tacos, you’ll need a pan, an onion, garlic, salt, and some spices. You’ll need to cook the beef over medium heat for two to three minutes before adding tomato sauce and water to make the filling. The simmering process will bring out the flavor of the spices and herbs and evaporate most of the water.
Taco Bell responded to the criticism by releasing its beef ingredients. The company now claims its ground beef contains eighty-eight percent, with the remaining 12 percent made up of seasonings and water. It also launched a multimillion-dollar TV campaign. It also promised free tacos to Facebook fans who “like” its page. The company has pledged to give away 10 million tacos.
The Americanized versions of Taco Bell and Chipotle aren’t entirely accurate representations of Mexican food. Some of the staples are radically different from their Mexican counterparts.
