Chipotle customers have long shared tips for maximizing their burrito bowl experience, but one man’s video recently caught attention for explaining exactly how he manages to stretch his meal. And while some employees may roll their eyes, his only intention was to help people create the most value for their money.
Hacks to maximize your order
Anderson Nguyen, positioning himself as a professional food hacker, shared a few hacks on his TikTok with a humorous caption, saying, “Don’t tag Chioptole in the comments, ok, this is our secret.”
1. Skip mobile ordering
One of the first hacks he shares is not to order through the mobile app. He reasons that when you’re not there in person, employees tend to give you smaller portions. On the other hand, when you order face-to-face, you get generous portions because workers know customers are watching.
Under the video, many commenters have agreed that portion sizes are almost always smaller when you order online. Don’t believe it? Try it yourself and compare both servings.
2. Choose the bowl over the burrito
He also insists on ordering a bowl instead of a burrito or tacos. Why? A bowl can hold more food without the risk of tearing a tortilla or overstuffing a taco shell. And if you still want the tortilla, you can ask for one on the side. This way, you’ll get more food, plus the option to wrap it into a tortilla later.
3. Ask for items on the side
Another hack is to request toppings on the side. Salsas, guacamole, and even cheese or lettuce can be placed into separate cups, which gives you a little extra. Then, at home, you can add as much or as little to your bowl, or even stretch the meal into two servings. Please note that some locations may charge you for extras not included in your meal.
4. Don’t forget the vinaigrette sauce
A surprising addition to his list is the Chipotle vinaigrette. Not everyone is aware of it, but the smoky, tangy sauce can be ordered with a bowl or salad. He calls it a game-changer that enhances the flavor of the entire meal.
5. Order one item at a time
Finally, he advises against rattling off your entire order in one breath. “Order one item at a time,” he says. When customers list everything quickly, workers mentally portion out the toppings in advance. If you order one by one, you may receive generous portions, as each request is handled individually. It may slow down the line, but you’ll get what you pay for.
What does he actually order from Chipotle?
After sharing his tips, Nguyen showed what his own Chipotle bowl looks like. He asked for two scoops of white rice and two scoops of brown rice, then added one scoop of pinto and black beans.
Additionally, he requested extra fajitas and a mix of half chicken and half carnitas. He advises always to ask for half and half proteins, and most of the time, they end up giving you double scoops of meat for the price of one.
For toppings, he requested all three salsas (mild, medium, or hot) with extra corn, accompanied by one scoop of sour cream, a handful of cheese, and lettuce on top.
He avoids queso and guacamole as they increase the price. However, guacamole is free if you order a veggie bowl. He then asks for the free water cup, which he fills with lemonade.
He shared that his massive bowl came to only $13.07 and weighed in at just over two pounds. The bowl is large enough to serve as lunch and dinner at a reasonable price.
More ways to stretch your Chipotle order
Chipotle regulars have plenty of tricks, and over time, I’ve picked up some of my own. Here are the ones I actually use and suggest if you want to stretch your order:
- Don’t skip the free rice and beans. They’re free, so I always say yes to both. If I ask for a little extra, it makes the bowl way more filling. I’ve stretched one order into lunch and dinner this way plenty of times.
- Add fajita veggies. For some reason, a lot of people don’t realize that the peppers and onions don’t cost extra. I always get them because they add some crunch and balance to all the rice and meat. Your bowl will taste much better with them.
- Load up on salsas. Chipotle doesn’t limit you to just one. I usually ask for mild, medium, and corn salsa together. It adds more flavor to my meal and, honestly, gives me more food without increasing the cost.
- Split the bowl into two meals. This is the one I do most often. I’ll eat half at the restaurant, then pack up the rest for later. With some chips on the side, it feels like two full meals instead of one.
- Always look for rewards or promotions. You can sign up for Chipotle’s rewards program. It’s free to join, and every time you visit Chipotle, you can scan your code and collect points, which can get you free items such as chips, a drink, sauce, or even a full meal if you’ve collected enough points. The Chipotle app also offers promotions, such as double points occasionally.
Not every hack will work at every location, and some staff are stricter about portion sizes than others. However, these smart strategies, such as ordering bowls instead of burritos or knowing which toppings are free, can help you get a little more for the same price.
And if you’re willing to try a few extra tricks of your own, you might walk away with enough food for two meals instead of one.
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