Andy Montoya
Taco John's is a Mexican-inspired fast-food chain founded in 1969 and based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. They are known for their signature dish, Potato Olés, which are deep-fried potato nuggets seasoned with Mexican spices. While there is limited information on the ingredients used in their cheese sauce, some customers have attempted to recreate the sauce at home. One former employee suggested that the sauce is made with creamy Italian dressing and their mild sauce, while another customer suggested that it reminded them of a local restaurant's sauce, which included tomato purée, green chile purée, jalapeño pepper purée, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride, and sodium benzoate as a preservative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Nacho Cheese Sauce |
| Consistency | Smooth |
| Ingredients | Cheddar Cheese, Cream Cheese, Taco Seasoning, Hot Sauce, Milk |
| Add-ons | Jalapeños, Chipotle Sauce, Chicken, Green Onions, Tomatoes, Peas |
| Variations | Almond Milk, Jalapeño Powder |
| Serving Suggestions | Tator Tot, Ground Turkey, Enchiladas, Mac n Cheese |
Explore related products
$2.08
What You'll Learn
Taco John's Chips & Nacho Cheese
The cheese sauce is a versatile addition to any meal, enhancing the flavour of tacos, burritos, and even Mac n Cheese. Its mild spice level makes it accessible to a wide range of palates, with a hint of heat that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences. For those who enjoy a spicier experience, adding jalapeños or hot pepper sauce can take the heat up a notch.
Taco John's has cultivated a loyal fan base that adores its unique sauces. The Original Hot Sauce, for example, combines the tang of tomatoes and tomato paste with the kick of jalapeño and green chile purees. The New Hot Sauce takes a different approach, emphasising onion puree and reducing the number of tomatoes, resulting in a more complex and pepper-forward flavour profile.
While the exact ingredients of the nacho cheese sauce may remain a mystery, its popularity is undeniable. The warm, creamy texture and savoury taste elevate the simple act of dipping chips to a whole new level of indulgence. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a side, Taco John's Chips & Nacho Cheese is a comforting and satisfying option for cheese enthusiasts of all ages.
Organic Milk: The Best Stores for Cheeses Made With It
You may want to see also
The Original Taco Sauce
Taco John's has a range of sauces to choose from, including the Original Taco Sauce, the Mild Sauce, and the Hot Sauce. The Original Taco Sauce is a classic choice and has a dedicated fan base. While the exact recipe is not known, we can take a closer look at some of the key ingredients that give it its unique flavour.
While the full ingredient list is not publicly available, it is safe to assume that the Original Taco Sauce also contains a variety of spices and seasonings that enhance its flavour. The sauce is designed to complement the other ingredients in Taco John's menu items, such as their famous chips and nacho cheese. The combination of fresh-made chips and the Original Taco Sauce is a favourite among customers.
Real Cheese: What Does It Actually Mean?
You may want to see also
Mild Sauce
Taco John's has recently made some changes to its menu, including altering the recipe for its signature "Mild Sauce." The new sauce has a more complex, pepper-forward flavor profile with a prominent presence of classic Mexican spices. This is a departure from the previous version, which was known for its strong tomato base and the brightness of green chile puree.
The change in the Mild Sauce recipe has sparked mixed reactions among Taco John's patrons. Some loyal customers have expressed disappointment, claiming that the new sauce does not match the flavor profile of the meat and that it resembles the sauce offered by competitor Taco Bell. They nostalgically recall the original Mild Sauce, which they describe as more authentic and integral to the taste of their favorite Taco John's dishes.
In contrast, others have praised the new Hot Sauce for its richer, deeper, and spicier flavor compared to its predecessor. They appreciate the use of multiple chile types and the distinct callout of spices in the ingredients. While some may prefer the milder spice and more pronounced tomato flavor of the original sauce, the new Hot Sauce caters to those seeking a bolder and hotter option.
Amid the controversy over the sauce change, some customers have taken to experimenting with their own recipes for the original Mild Sauce at home. They have shared their attempts to recreate the beloved sauce, with ingredients including tomato puree, green chile puree, jalapeño pepper puree, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride, and sodium benzoate as a preservative. Others have suggested using LaVictoria Salsa Brava as a suitable substitute for their Taco John's orders.
The Best Cheeses to Use for a Perfect Pizza
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hot Sauce
Taco John's has made some changes to its menu, including alterations to its hot sauce. The new hot sauce has replaced the original, which drew its flavour from tomatoes, tomato paste, and purees of jalapeño and green chile. The new version has a reduced tomato content, with only the paste remaining, and added onion puree. While the jalapeños are still present, the green chile blend is gone, replaced by a more pepper-forward sauce with Mexican spices.
The original hot sauce was a staple for many Taco John's fans, and the changes have not gone unnoticed. Some patrons have expressed disappointment in the reduction of sauce quantity, as well as the change in flavour. The new sauce has a more complex and peppery profile, which some may see as an improvement, but it also doubles the number of single-use wrappers, an environmental concern.
The hot sauce has a special place in the hearts of many Taco John's enthusiasts, with some having fond memories of enjoying the sauce since their grade school days. The sauce has evolved from the mild to the hot variety, and some customers have progressed through these levels as their taste buds have matured. The mild sauce, with its distinct tomato and green chile flavours, was once a favourite of schoolchildren, who would douse their tacos in it.
While the new hot sauce may be an unwelcome change for some loyal customers, it presents an opportunity for new flavour experiences and a chance to create new memories. The addition of onion puree and the shift towards a peppery, spicy profile offer a different taste sensation, appealing to those who enjoy a more intense flavour profile. It remains to be seen how the new sauce will be received by the wider Taco John's community, but it certainly adds a new dimension to the Taco John's experience.
The Magic of Brazil Nut Cheese: A Delicious Mystery
You may want to see also
Changes to the menu
Taco John's has made some changes to its menu, altering the ingredients of its hot sauce and reducing the portion size of its mild sauce. The new hot sauce recipe is more complex, with the tomato count dropping from two to one, leaving only the paste. The new recipe also includes onion puree and jalapeños, but the original's green chile blend is missing. The new mild sauce has also changed, with the tomato and green chile puree replaced by a pepper-forward sauce with Mexican spices.
These changes have not been well-received by all customers, with some noticing the reduction in portion size and the increase in waste due to the need for multiple single-use wrappers. The changes to the recipes have also been noticed by loyal customers, with the new sauces described as "unwelcome".
Despite these changes, Taco John's continues to offer its signature "Mild Sauce" and "Hot Sauce", along with other menu items such as chips and nacho cheese, refried beans, red rice, and soft-shell tacos with meat, lettuce, and cheese. The nacho cheese is described as "liquid gold" on the Taco John's website, indicating that it is a popular and well-loved item on the menu.
While some customers may be disappointed by the changes to the hot and mild sauces, Taco John's likely conducted these alterations to improve the flavor or reduce costs. However, it is important for the restaurant to consider the impact on customer satisfaction and waste generation when making such changes.
The Art of Making Saga Cheese
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The cheese sauce recipe for Taco John's is a mix of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, taco seasoning, and hot sauce. You can also add jalapeño powder or herb and garlic cream cheese for a different flavor.
The original red mild sauce can be made with tomato purée (tomato paste and water), green chile purée, jalapeño pepper purée, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride, and sodium benzoate as a preservative. Mix this with 1:1 parts water.
The house dressing is made by mixing creamy Italian dressing with their mild sauce. You can use any brand of mild taco sauce and creamy Italian dressing, such as Kraft's or Hidden Valley.
Taco John's signature dish is Potato Olés, which are deep-fried potato nuggets seasoned with Mexican spices.
