- The keto diet is all the rage these days, but it can be hard to find keto-friendly meals when eating out.
- Chipotle and Qdoba both released keto-friendly versions of their signature bowls this year to chase that burgeoning taste.
- I tried both, and while Chipotle's keto bowl was better than Qdoba's, I felt like I was misled by both chains.
- While both bowls might technically be keto-friendly, they were just simplified versions of existing menu items rather than specially-crafted keto dishes.
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Keto is all the rage these days.
The keto diet, which basically replaces carb intake with fat intake, supposedly sends the body into a fat-burning state of ketosis. While keto's nutritional limitations may not be right for everyone, it certainly is popular, especially among celebrities looking to stay trim.
So it makes sense that many fast-casual chains have come out with keto-friendly meals. Blaze Pizza's keto crust is impressively close to the real thing, and Chipotle released a keto salad bowl in January, followed by Qdoba in August.
I don't follow the keto diet, but I'm definitely keto-curious. I'd probably never go full-on keto, but I'm fascinated by the carb alternatives this diet has spawned.
Read more: I tried Chipotle's secret menu to see what's worth ordering - and what you should skip
So what's a bowl without any non-keto items like? Since Qdoba and Chipotle both have very similar-sounding keto bowls - lettuce, meat, salsa, cheese, and guac - I decided to give them both a spin.
I didn't realize I was setting myself up for one of the biggest disappointments in my fast-food-eating career.