What Chipotle is and how to order
Chipotle Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant where you walk up to a counter and tell the staff what you want in your bowl, burrito, tacos, or salad. You do not order from a menu board and wait for your food to arrive at a table. Instead, you move down a line of stations, and at each one a staff member adds your choice of protein, beans, rice, and toppings.
The ordering process is straightforward: you arrive at the front of the line, choose your base (a bowl, burrito, tacos, or salad), then move down the counter. At each station, the staff member will ask what you want or show you the options. You can see the food as you choose it, and you can ask for extra or no portions of anything. Once you reach the end of the line, you tell the cashier if you want a drink or chips, pay, and your order is complete.
Chipotle locations are in most U.S. states and some international markets. You can find one near you by visiting chipotle.com, using Google Maps, or searching "Chipotle near me" in your phone's search engine.
Key Takeaways
- You order by walking down a counter line and telling staff what you want at each station, not by ordering from a cashier upfront.
- The main bases are bowls, burritos, tacos, and salads; you choose protein, beans, rice, and toppings at different stations along the line.
- You can pay with cash, debit card, credit card, or mobile payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay at the register.
- Chipotle also takes orders through its mobile app and website for pickup, which can save time during busy hours.
- Prices vary by location and protein choice, with chicken typically the least expensive and steak or carnitas more costly.
How to pay and what payment methods work
At the register, Chipotle takes cash, debit cards, credit cards, and mobile payment apps. You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay if your phone or smartwatch supports them. You tap or insert your card, or hold your phone near the reader, and the payment goes through in seconds.
If you order through the Chipotle app or website for pickup, you pay when you place the order online. The app accepts the same payment methods as the in-store register. Some locations also offer Chipotle gift cards, which you can buy at the register or online and use for future visits.
Chipotle does not charge a fee for paying with a card or mobile payment. Prices are the same whether you pay cash or card. If you are ordering for a group, each person can pay separately at the register, or one person can pay for everyone.
Ordering through the app or website
The Chipotle app and website let you build your order before you arrive, choose a pickup time, and pay in advance. This is useful if you know what you want and want to skip the line. You read the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or visit order.chipotle.com on your computer.
To order online, you select your location, choose your base and toppings the same way you would in person, add a pickup time, and pay. When you arrive at the restaurant, you go to the pickup counter (usually marked "Mobile Orders" or "Online Orders"), give your name, and they hand you your food. Pickup times are usually 15 to 30 minutes after you place the order, depending on how busy the location is.
The app also shows you the nutrition information for every item, lets you save favorite orders so you can reorder them quickly, and sometimes offers deals or promotions to app users. You can also use the app to check wait times at nearby locations before you go.
Understanding the menu and portion sizes
Every Chipotle order starts with a base: a bowl (rice and beans in a container), a burrito (wrapped in a tortilla), tacos (three soft or hard shells), or a salad (lettuce with toppings). The base price is the same for all four, though a burrito or tacos may cost slightly more at some locations.
Next, you choose a protein: chicken, steak, carnitas (slow-cooked pork), barbacoa (shredded beef), sofritas (tofu), or veggie (no meat). Chicken is the least expensive; steak, carnitas, and barbacoa cost more. Sofritas and veggie are usually the same price as chicken or slightly higher.
Then you choose beans (black or pinto), rice (white or brown), and toppings: salsa (mild, corn, or hot), cheese, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and peppers. Most toppings are included in the base price. Guacamole costs extra at most locations. You can ask for extra of any topping, and staff will add it at no charge unless it is guacamole.
Portion sizes are standard across locations. A bowl or burrito comes with one serving of rice, one serving of beans, one serving of protein, and as many toppings as you want (within reason). If you want double protein or double rice, you can request it, and it will cost extra.
What to expect during your visit
During busy times (lunch and dinner hours), Chipotle lines can be long, especially at locations near offices or schools. If you want to avoid a wait, go early in the morning, mid-afternoon, or late evening. Using the app to order ahead is the fastest way to get your food during peak hours.
When you arrive, look for the end of the line. If it is a mobile order pickup, go directly to the pickup counter. If you are ordering in person, join the line at the front. The line moves fairly quickly because each station takes only 30 to 60 seconds per person. Most in-person orders take 10 to 20 minutes from start to finish, depending on how busy it is.
Once you have your food, you move to the register to pay (if you have not paid online already). You can then sit in the restaurant if there is seating, or take your food to go. Most Chipotle locations have some tables and chairs, but not all are large enough for groups.
Dietary options and customization
Chipotle publishes nutrition and ingredient information for every item on its website and app. If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, you can ask staff about ingredients before you order. Staff can also prepare your food to avoid cross-contact with allergens, though Chipotle does not may provide a completely allergen-free environment because multiple foods are prepared in the same space.
You can build a vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or low-carb meal by choosing your toppings. For example, a vegan order would skip cheese and sour cream and choose sofritas or veggie protein. A low-carb order might skip rice and beans and load up on protein and vegetables. You can also ask for half portions of rice and beans and double portions of protein or vegetables.
Chipotle also offers kids' meals at some locations, which come with a smaller portion, a drink, and a side. Prices and availability vary by location.
Delivery and catering options
Many Chipotle locations offer delivery through third-party apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. You can order through these apps the same way you would order directly from Chipotle, but you pay a delivery fee and may pay a service fee. Delivery usually takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how far you are from the restaurant.
Chipotle also offers catering for groups. You can order through the Chipotle website or by calling your local restaurant. Catering orders are usually for 10 or more people and require at least 24 hours notice. Prices depend on what you order and how many people you are feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I modify my order after I have paid?
If you ordered in person and have not received your food yet, you can ask the staff to change something. If you ordered through the app and picked it up, you cannot modify it after you have paid. You would need to place a new order. If there is a problem with your order when you receive it, most locations will remake it or refund you.
What is the difference between a bowl and a burrito?
A bowl comes in a container with all your toppings mixed together. A burrito is wrapped in a flour tortilla, so it is portable and easier to eat on the go. The food inside is the same; it is just the format that differs. Tacos come in three shells (soft or hard) and a salad comes on lettuce instead of rice and beans.
Do I have to tip at Chipotle?
Tipping is not required, but the register will ask if you want to add a tip when you pay. Tips are optional and go to the staff who prepared your food. You can tip any amount or choose not to tip.
How much does a Chipotle meal cost?
Prices vary by location and protein choice. A bowl or burrito with chicken typically costs between $8 and $10. Steak, carnitas, or barbacoa cost $2 to $3 more. Guacamole adds $2 to $3. Drinks and chips cost $2 to $4. Exact prices depend on your location and current pricing.
Can I order for a large group?
Yes. You can place multiple orders through the app or website, or you can call your local Chipotle to place a large group order in advance. For groups of 10 or more, catering is usually a better option because you can order in bulk and pick up everything at once.