Chipotle is one fast food stop that offers customizable bowls with fresh ingredients. But what if we told you there’s more to your favorite order than meets the eye? Behind the counter, Chipotle employees know the best-hidden menu tricks that most customers have no clue about. Ready to elevate your Chipotle game? We’ll whisper the ultimate cheat sheet with 18 employee-revealed secrets that every fan needs to know!
18. Chipotlanes
While we all know that most Chipotle locations have no drive-thrus, some do, which is great news for many customers on the go! They call them “Chipotlanes,” where customers can order ahead through the app. It’s not like your typical drive-thru, but it’s enough for hungry customers on the road.
17. Free Cilantro
If you want to add flavor to your food, you can request cilantro which is free of charge. This flavoring is a staple in many Chipotle dishes as it adds an extra burst of freshness to your meal. Simply request at the counter for extra cilantro, and they’ll either hand it to you or add it to your meal.
16. Free Guacamole
Cilantro isn’t the only one that you can get for free. If you enjoy your meal with some good, old guacamole, you can get them as a “freebie,” but there’s a catch. To avail of the free Guacamole, you must order any of Chipotle’s vegetarian options.
15. 2-For-1
Looking for the perfect Chipotle super saver meal to share? Here’s one just for you. Simply order a burrito bowl and add in extra toppings plus two tortillas. With a bowl, split the burrito’s contents into two tortillas. There you have it, two portions with just the price of one!
14. Kiddie Chips
If you can’t finish your chips, you wouldn’t want them to go to waste, right? If you’re ordering them as a side, you can instead order the chips from the kid’s menu with a smaller portion that costs less than the chip size you usually order.
13. Keep Your Burrito From Falling Apart
If you choose to load up in fillings and or salsas, then chances are your Burrito might fall apart. But there’s an easy fix just for that so you can just enjoy your Burrito. Ask the employee to double the wrap for you so the fillings won’t fall apart.
12. The Three-Pointer
Chipotle has some hidden menu items that are cheaper than its counterparts, take the Three-Pointer as one. It features three ingredients valued at one point except for the guacamole and or meat. To avail of this, just order a burrito with three one-point ingredients. If your goal is to save up, then make sure not to add more ingredients, which will make you pay the original price for a burrito.
11. They Give The Exact Amount of Food
While we may notice different amounts of food depending on the location of a fast food restaurant, this is not the case at Chipotle. Here, employees use spoons to get the right size of portions. Chipotle has rules on how much they can give and besides, they assure customers that their burritos are really big.
10. The ‘Hack’ For Shortest Lines
If you’re craving a burrito but don’t want to deal with long lines, here’s a pro tip: The best time to visit Chipotle is right when they open at 11 a.m. While the pick hours for the long lines are from 2 to 5 p.m. Also, Mondays and Tuesdays are also the slowest days, which means you can enjoy a little quiet time with your burrito!
9. You Can Get White Rice Without Cilantro
While cilantro is a staple at Chipotle, the chain knows that not everyone loves it. The good news is that, you can order a white rice sub for your bowl or burrito as it’s plain, leaving no flavoring to it.
8. Mix and Match Toppings
If you’re really hungry, then a single topping might not fill you up. But why settle for a single topping when you can have more, whatever your stomach desires? This hack lets you mix and match meats, sauces, and bases. You will never choose between chicken or steak again, as you can get the best of both worlds!
7. For Big Orders, Opt to Go Online
Hosting a party this weekend? Let Chipotle make your guests (and the chain’s employees) happy! It’s hard enough for employees to complete a single order for a customer ordering twelve items. The tendency is that customers may remember something that they need at the last minute, which doesn’t help when the store is packed with hungry customers. To save everyone’s time, order online instead.
6. Sides Can Be Free
A side may cost you $1.25 but most Chipotle locations hand them to customers free of charge. Note that this is not the case for meat, guacamole, and queso. Ordering is different from asking for an additional ingredient. Take sour cream as an example. If you get some on the side, it’s just like asking for an extra sour cream for your meal.
5. Single Taco
Another secret menu item alert! Say hello to the Single Taco that you can order on days that you don’t feel like eating a lot. You may also consider this a secret menu item for your kid. It features a Single Taco filled with your usual fillers. It’s also a perfect menu item if you’re watching your calorie intake for weight management.
4. The Secret Nachos
You wouldn’t believe that Chipotle’s Nachos aren’t included in their official menu. But if you’re craving for some, then ask for a burrito bowl and swap the rice for chips. After, you’ll get a mix of salsa, meat, cheese, and beans on top of your chips.
3. Dragon Sauce
Speaking of the secret menu, you can create a dragon sauce as a dip or smother them in your Chipotle bowl. Simply request a side of sour cream and tomatillo-red chili salsa. Mix them together to create a spicy and sour finish!
2. Double Decker
Upgrade your usual Chipotle taco with another layer of shell and even more cheese! Just order any taco you prefer, either soft or hard, then fill it with cheese. After, you can now stack your regular shells together for a cheesy bite.
1. Burritodilla
The name may not be appealing, but this secret menu item definitely is! The legendary Burritodilla combines Chipotle’s burrito and quesadilla. It’s simply a quesadilla filled with half the toppings from a burrito. To get the Burritodilla, order a burrito filled with your usual fillings but with half the quantity. Also, ask for a quesadilla-style tortilla that has melted cheese inside and request to toast it until crispy.