Kamil Perry
Tijuana Flats is a privately held American restaurant chain serving Tex-Mex cuisine with over 90 locations across the United States. The chain offers a variety of menu options, including burritos, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas. The safety of consuming queso, a popular Mexican cheese dish, during pregnancy has been a topic of discussion, with some sources indicating that it is generally safe to consume as long as it is made with pasteurized cheese. While it is unclear whether Tijuana Flats uses pasteurized cheese in their dishes, they do offer an allergen chart that provides information on the allergens present in their menu items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use of pasteurized cheese | All entrées and sides with dairy are made from pasteurized milk |
| Locations | Over 90 locations |
| States | Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Kentucky |
| Type of restaurant | Fast-casual hybrids with fresh food, hot sauce bars, art murals, and off-beat culture |
| Menu items | Burritos, burrito bowls, chimichangas, dos tacos, flautas, fresh salads, nachos, quesadillas, and wings |
| Toppings | Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, and jalapeños |
| Fillings | Classic shredded and blackened chicken, beef, steak, shrimp, refried and black beans |
| Options | Powerlite (low-fat cheese and sour cream), smothered with queso or chipotle sauce, megajuana (double meat and cheese), and a meal with rice, beans, and drink |
| Starters | Chips with fresh or spicy salsa, queso, guacamole, or a trio |
| Sides | Fresh or spicy salsa, pico de gallo, queso, guac, rice, or beans |
| Desserts | Churro bites or cookie dough flautas |
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What You'll Learn
Tijuana Flats uses pasteurized milk in all dairy products
Tijuana Flats is an American restaurant chain serving Tex-Mex cuisine with locations in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky. The chain was founded in 1995 in Winter Park, Florida, by University of Central Florida graduate Brian Wheeler. It has since expanded to over 90 locations, offering a range of tacos, burritos, and other Tex-Mex dishes.
Tijuana Flats caters to various dietary needs and offers options like low-fat cheese and sour cream, as well as providing allergen information for its customers. The chain also offers catering services, providing napkins, plates, plasticware, and serving utensils. Customers can choose from three ordering methods: in-store, by phone, or online.
With its unique hand-painted wall murals, Tijuana Flats has become known not only for its food but also for its distinctive restaurant atmosphere. The chain has faced financial challenges, filing for bankruptcy in 2024, but it has since exited bankruptcy and is working to refresh its menu and continue expanding.
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Pasteurized cheese is safe for pregnant people to eat
Tijuana Flats uses pasteurized milk in all its entrées and sides with dairy in them. Pasteurized cheese is generally safe for pregnant people to eat. However, it is important to carefully read the labels of any cheese you plan to consume to ensure that it is made with pasteurized milk. Most commercially sold cheese and other dairy products in the US are pasteurized, but it is always good to double-check.
Pregnant people are often warned about the risks of consuming certain cheeses, and this is due to the risk of Listeria infection. Listeria is a rare but deadly germ that can lead to premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, or severe illness in newborns. It is caused by the Listeria bacteria found in raw, unpasteurized milk and certain other foods. The bacteria thrive in low acid and low salt environments, which is the condition of most pasteurized cheeses in the US. As a result, even pasteurized cheese can become contaminated with Listeria after production through secondary contamination.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), if a cheese is less than 60 days old, it must be made with pasteurized milk. If it is older than 60 days, certain varieties may be made with pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, as the raw milk cheese would have aged long enough to kill any harmful bacteria. However, it is still recommended to stick to pasteurized cheeses to be safe.
Some examples of commonly pasteurized cheeses include mozzarella, fresh goat cheese, ricotta, feta, Laughing Cow, Brie, Camembert, and Taleggio. Longer-aged cheeses like cheddar, Manchego, and blue cheeses may or may not be pasteurized, so it is important to check the labels.
In summary, pasteurized cheese is generally safe for pregnant people to consume, but it is crucial to read labels and ensure that the cheese is made with pasteurized milk to minimize the risk of Listeria infection.
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Most restaurants in the US use pasteurized products
Pasteurization is a process that involves heating food to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful bacteria and prevent foodborne illnesses. It was developed by French chemist Louis Pasteur in 1864 as a way of preventing wine and beer from souring. It was later applied to milk and dairy products, which are particularly susceptible to foodborne infections.
In the US, most milk and milk products sold commercially are pasteurized, and the country has had mandatory dairy pasteurization laws since 1947. The process is also used widely in other food processing industries for food preservation and safety. Pasteurization extends the shelf life of milk, with ultra-pasteurized milk lasting up to two to three months in the refrigerator.
Tijuana Flats, a restaurant with over 90 locations, confirms on its website that all entrées and sides with dairy are made from pasteurized milk. The restaurant serves Mexican dishes such as tacos, burritos, and Tex-Mex options.
Most restaurants in the US are likely to use pasteurized products due to the health benefits and reduced risk of foodborne illnesses. Pasteurization is an effective method for improving food safety and quality, especially for milk and dairy products. It helps to destroy harmful microbes such as bacteria and viruses, which can cause serious illnesses with symptoms like fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Therefore, the use of pasteurized products in restaurants ensures the safety of their customers, especially those with compromised immune systems.
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Tijuana Flats has over 90 locations
Tijuana Flats is a popular American restaurant chain, with a presence in multiple states across the country. With a unique offering of Tex-Mex cuisine, the chain has rapidly expanded over the years and now boasts over 90 locations. The company had a modest start, with its first restaurant opening in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995. The founder, Brian Wheeler, a University of Central Florida graduate, started the business with just $20,000 in loans. By 2001, Tijuana Flats had established six locations, and this number grew to 18 by 2004. The chain continued to expand, reaching 65 locations by 2009.
The success of Tijuana Flats can be attributed to its unique atmosphere and menu options. Each location features hand-painted wall murals, with artwork that includes a series of characters, notably a gigantic Green "God." The restaurants also offer a wide variety of Tex-Mex dishes, including burritos, tacos, nachos, and quesadillas. Customers can choose from a range of toppings and fillings, and there are also options to customise their orders with low-fat cheese and sour cream or extra meat and cheese.
Tijuana Flats caters to a range of dining preferences and occasions. They offer catering services for various events, from birthdays to graduations, and provide napkins, plates, and utensils. Customers can place catering orders by visiting a store, calling their local Tijuana Flats, or ordering online. The chain also has an app that offers rewards points, although these cannot be redeemed for catering orders.
The chain has faced some challenges, including a bankruptcy filing in 2024, which led to the closure of 11 restaurants. However, Tijuana Flats has since exited bankruptcy and is planning to refresh its menu and continue expanding. With its wide range of menu options, unique atmosphere, and convenient services, Tijuana Flats has become a go-to choice for many customers seeking tasty Tex-Mex cuisine.
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The chain serves Tex-Mex cuisine
Tijuana Flats is a privately held American restaurant chain that serves Tex-Mex cuisine. It was founded in Winter Park, Florida, in 1995 by University of Central Florida graduate Brian Wheeler with $20,000 in loans. The chain has since expanded to over 90 locations across Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky.
The restaurants are fast-casual hybrids known for their fresh food, hot sauce bars, art murals, and off-beat culture. Customers order at the front counter and are served after taking a seat. The unique appearance of each location is characterised by its hand-painted wall mural, featuring a series of characters created by artist Christopher Galipeau, including a gigantic Green "God."
Tijuana Flats offers a variety of Tex-Mex dishes, including burritos, burrito bowls, chimichangas, tacos, flautas, fresh salads, nachos, quesadillas, and wings. Guests can choose from a range of toppings and fillings, such as lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, jalapeños, shredded chicken, beef, steak, shrimp, and beans. They also have options like Powerlite (with low-fat cheese and sour cream), smothered with queso or chipotle sauce, and megajuana (with double meat and cheese).
The chain caters to various dietary restrictions and allergen risks. Their allergen information sheet indicates that all entrées and sides with dairy are made from pasteurized milk. However, they cannot guarantee that their ingredients are GMO-free due to the quantities they require.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all entrées and sides with dairy products at Tijuana Flats are made from pasteurized milk.
Pasteurization is a process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a set period of time to destroy harmful bacteria.
Pasteurization is important because it eliminates harmful bacteria that can cause diseases such as listeria, which can be serious for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
Yes, consuming unpasteurized cheese may increase the risk of contracting foodborne illnesses, such as listeria, which can be dangerous for certain individuals.
Yes, Tijuana Flats offers catering services for various events and occasions, providing napkins, plates, plasticware, and serving utensils. They also offer disposable chafers for a small fee to keep food warm for longer events.
