711 taquitos are a popular convenience store food item made by wrapping a tortilla around a filling and deep frying it. The exact ingredients in 711 taquitos depend on the specific variety, but they are generally made from a combination of processed meats, cheeses, and seasonings wrapped in a corn or flour tortilla. The most common fillings are beef, chicken, or cheese.
Beef Taquitos
The beef taquitos at 711 are made from the following ingredients:
- Flour tortilla – Made from enriched bleached wheat flour, water, vegetable shortening, contains 2% or less of: salt, dough conditioner, guar gum, food starch, preservatives, yeast
- Beef – Cooked beef, beef broth, textured vegetable protein (soy flour, caramel color), dextrose, salt, sodium phosphates
- Cheese – Monterey jack cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese culture, salt, enzymes), cheddar cheese (pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, annatto color), water, cream, sodium phosphate
- Seasonings – Spices, onion powder, garlic powder, celery powder, red bell pepper powder, extractives of paprika
The flour tortilla forms the outer wrapping that is filled with the beef, cheese, and seasoning mixture. The cooked beef provides the main protein and bulk of the filling. Textured vegetable protein from soy flour is used to enhance the meaty texture. The cheese filling provides additional fat and flavor. Onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper, paprika, and other spices add flavor to the filling.
Chicken Taquitos
The chicken taquitos are made from similar ingredients to the beef version:
- Flour tortilla
- Chicken – Cooked chicken meat, chicken broth, seasoning [salt, brown sugar, chicken fat, chicken broth powder, onion powder, garlic powder, spices, extractives of paprika]
- Cheese
- Seasonings
The main difference is that chicken meat is used as the protein instead of beef. The chicken is cooked and seasoned before being wrapped into the taquito.
Cheese Taquitos
The cheese taquitos contain:
- Flour tortilla
- Cheese – Monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, water, cream, sodium phosphate
- Jalapeño Peppers – Diced jalapeño peppers
These contain just cheese and jalapeños as the filling. The spicy jalapeño provides flavor to balance out the rich cheese filling.
Nutrition Information
Here is the basic nutrition information for the three main types of 711 taquitos:
| Taquito Type | Calories | Total Fat | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef | 210 | 14g | 7g |
| Chicken | 210 | 14g | 8g |
| Cheese | 220 | 15g | 8g |
As you can see, the different varieties are fairly comparable in their calorie, fat, and protein content. The flour tortilla and oil from frying add a considerable amount of carbohydrates and fat. The cheese variety is slightly higher in calories and fat due to the extra cheese.
Preparation Method
711 taquitos are prepared using the following industrial process:
- The tortilla dough is sheeted, cut, pressed, and cooked on a conveyor oven.
- The cooked tortillas are cooled before filling.
- The meat, cheese, or other fillings are prepared in large batches and cooled.
- The fillings are portioned and automatically spooned onto the tortilla.
- The filled tortilla is tightly rolled into the taquito shape.
- The taquitos go through a conveyor fryer filled with hot oil to cook and crisp the exterior.
- The fried taquitos are cooled and frozen.
- The frozen taquitos are shipped to 711 locations and reheated on-site before serving.
So while they start with simple ingredients, taquitos require an industrialized process to make them shelf-stable and consistent for mass production. The freezing and frying give them their signature crunchy texture.
Are 711 Taquitos Healthy?
711 taquitos are a quick, convenient snack option, but they are high in fat and sodium compared to homemade options. Each taquito contains around 15 grams of fat, which is 23% of the daily value. They also contain around 380mg of sodium, or 16% DV.
The flour tortillas and frying method add considerable calories, fat, and refined carbs. The processed meat and cheese fillings are also high in sodium.
Occasionally enjoying 711 taquitos as a snack is ok, but they should not be a daily part of a healthy diet due to the high amounts of refined flour, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Homemade baked taquitos with fresh fillings are a much healthier option.
Quality and Safety
As mass-produced convenience foods, 711 taquitos are designed for long shelf life rather than freshness and quality. However, 711 does follow food safety protocols during processing, shipping, and storage to minimize risks. Some practices include:
- Flash freezing to preserve food safety
- Careful temperature monitoring during shipping and storage
- Routine equipment cleaning and sanitization
- Employee health and hygiene policies
- Regulatory compliance inspections
Proper cooking and hot holding temperatures help protect against bacterial contamination when taquitos are reheated on site.
Date labels and first in, first out inventory management also help minimize spoilage and ensure older products get sold first.
So while not equivalent to fresh homemade foods, 711 taquitos are produced according to standards to be safe for consumption.
Cost Analysis
Here is a look at the typical cost of 711 taquitos:
- Beef Taquitos: $1.19 for 1 taquito, $2.99 for 3 taquitos
- Chicken Taquitos: $1.19 for 1 taquito, $2.99 for 3 taquitos
- Cheese Taquitos: $1.09 for 1 taquito, $2.79 for 3 taquitos
The cheese variety is slightly cheaper than the beef and chicken. Bulk packs of 3 taquitos offer some cost savings compared to single purchases.
Compared to alternative convenient hot snacks like hot dogs, pizza bites, or empanadas, 711 taquitos are competitively priced. Their cost reflects the convenience factor of a pre-made frozen snack you can quickly heat up on the go.
Consumer Reviews
711 taquitos get mixed consumer reviews. Here are some of the pros and cons mentioned:
Pros:
- Convenient, easy snack for the road
- Cheap compared to restaurant tacos
- Tasty flavor combinations
- Crunchy fried texture
- Fill a taco craving
- Decent portion for the price
Cons:
- Bland, mushy texture
- Not enough filling
- Greasy or soggy
- Falls apart easily
- Unpleasant aftertaste
- Upsets stomach for some
Opinions seem divided based on individual taste preferences and likely variation in cooking and storage conditions between locations. Those looking for an authentic taco experience tend to be disappointed, while those with more modest expectations may find them a decent snack.
Conclusion
711 taquitos are a popular convenience store snack made from simple processed ingredients like flour tortillas, cured meats, cheese, and seasoning. While quick and tasty, they are high in sodium, fat, and preservatives compared to homemade options. Following proper handling and preparation protocols can minimize food safety risks. At around $1-3 per taquito, they offer a cheap option to satisfy a fast food taco craving, though quality and taste can be inconsistent. Overall, 711 taquitos can hit the spot as an occasional snack but should be enjoyed in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.