Think you know everything about Chipotle? Think again. We dug into what employees and superfans are saying and uncovered a goldmine of secrets hiding behind the counter. From sneaky ways to get more food to off-menu options and prep tricks, there's more going on at this fast-casual favorite than meets the eye. In this article, you'll discover some of the most surprising facts that might just change how you order your next burrito bowl.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer's personal beliefs, and some of the images are for illustrative purposes only.
Fresh Guacamole Every Day
You won’t find old guacamole at Chipotle because freshness is a strict policy. The delicious green side dish is made from scratch every single day, ensuring that every scoop is creamy, vibrant, and full of flavor. One employee revealed that around 140 avocados are hand-mashed daily at a single location, just to keep up with demand. It’s a labor-intensive process, but one that Chipotle insists on to maintain quality. So the next time you're enjoying that extra scoop of guac, you can thank a team of avocado mashers behind the scenes.
Never Frozen
Most fast-food restaurants have massive freezers to store their food. Not Chipotle! The restaurants don’t even have freezers. There is typically just one big refrigerator to store the fresh meat and veggies. Now, that is incredible!
Skip The Extra Salsa
Ask a Chipotle employee about extra salsa, and they will likely cringe. They will quickly tell you that adding too much salsa to a burrito will make the burrito hard to roll. Liquid from the salsa will also pour out of the bottom of the burrito, making it hard to eat. Take the advice and don’t order the extra salsa!
Secret Ingredient in Lime Rice
Everyone loves Chipotle’s lime rice. If you have ever tried to make it at home, you probably struggle to master the flavor. That is because you are likely just using lime juice. Chipotle lime rice is actually made with half lemon juice and half lime juice.
Employee Character Traits
You may find that Chipotle employees are often quite similar. That is because the company looks for 13 specific character traits when it hires employees. A few of the things they require are that an employee have high energy, be generally happy, look presentable, be curious, and also be honest.
Freshly Made
A lot of Chipotle food is made right in the restaurant. However, they do save time and energy by providing each restaurant with pre-chopped veggies. The fresh peppers, tomato, and lettuce are delivered to the store pre-chopped and ready for your burrito.
Please Pre-Order
If you want your food quickly, employees recommend ordering through the Chipotle app. Then, you can walk in, pay, and leave in just minutes! Plus, employees will appreciate your efficient order, which makes it easier for them to do their jobs.
Extensive Burrito Training
Chipotle employees know how to wrap a burrito! That is likely because they receive almost a full day's worth of training. Burrito preppers will practice making hundreds of burritos before they ever make a real one for a customer.
Extra Strong Margaritas
A former Chipotle manager said they were flooded with complaints from customers who thought the margaritas were too strong. We aren’t sure if an extra-strong margarita is a good thing or a bad thing, but apparently, the drinks served at Chipotle will give you more than just a buzz.
Ask For The Mix
Want all of the ingredients in your burrito mixed up rather than layered? Just ask! Chipotle employees can easily toss their chosen ingredients together in a bowl before wrapping them up in a tortilla. You may like this mixed Chipotle burrito even more.
The Tacos Have Less
Employees of Chipotle will tell you that you will get less food if you order the tacos. In fact, the tacos have about half the amount of meat, beans, and rice as you would get with a burrito bowl or burrito. If you are hungry, skip the tacos!
Awesome Employee Deals
If you are lucky enough to work at Chipotle, you will get one free meal each day. That includes a side of chips and guac! Plus, employees also get an additional 50% off any extra meals they want to take home. Simply delicious!
Super Clean
Chipotle has a very strict cleaning schedule. Many employees attest to the vigorous cleaning process that each restaurant goes through every night. Just knowing that the restaurant is held to the highest cleaning standards makes us want to eat there even more.
Bowls are Healthier
If you are trying to cut back on calories, Chipotle employees recommend ordering a burrito bowl instead of a regular burrito. The tortilla that is wrapped around the burrito is 300 calories, all on its own. Eliminate the tortilla, and you will have a delicious, slimmed-down meal.
This article was inspired by Secrets by Chipotle Employees and first published at Spatula Desserts.
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