Taco Cabana Coming Soon!

Written by University of Houston Dietetic Inter, Andres Ayesta

The Mexican flavor is coming to campus with Taco Cabana opening its doors this coming fall located in the new Stadium Parking Garage. This is exciting news; it adds something different to the variety of dining options around campus. As exciting as it is, it is also a fast-food restaurant where we all know we can get some extra calories and/or fat  if we don’t choose wisely.

TACO CABANA does have some good healthy options to offer. Their “4 Under 400 Calories” Cabana Bowls lead the list of low-calorie options that will satisfy your hunger and nutritional needs. On top of that, these meals are only $3.95!! An affordable, healthy, and delicious meal!

Here are some good options for you:  

• Steak fajita 400, Chicken Fajita 400 and Beef Fajita 400 (370 – 390 calories) with rice, black beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, and salsa roja.

• Chicken Fajita Salad 400 and the Steak Fajita Salad 400 both with 350 – 370 calories includes fajita meat, salad blend, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and salsa ranch.

• Stewed Chicken nachos have 540 calories and 27 grams of fat, not ideal but better than the rest of the other items.

• Most soft and crispy tacos in the menu range in calories from 180 – 300 per unit. These are good choices if you only limit your order to one or two.

• If you are old enough to drink and decide to celebrate your victories with a Margarita!!! Do it in moderation as this beverage packs about 240 calories. Besides, we all know alcohol can affect your performance and get you in trouble so try to stay away from it.

What about the items you DO NOT want to get?

• Regular Cabana Bowl. Believe it or not, these meals have over 1000 calories and over 50 grams of fat. 

• The Cabana Burritos have about 900 calories.

•  Quesadillas are WHOA foods as they pack over 1200 calories

• Brisket Quesadilla has almost 1640 calories and almost 100 grams of fat.

• Chicken and Steak Fajitas are also high calorie items. 

 Like I said, it is very exciting to have a Taco Cabana here on our campus but think smart and make smart choices. You are what you eat, and your performance in sports will be greatly based on what you put in your body. You decide…

Go COOGS! And good luck this coming fall season!