I tried Chipotle's entire vegan menu and found that it's not only delicious — it's often cheaper than meat

Anna KeeveOct 4, 2022, 23:51 IST

Anna Keeve biting into a Chipotle burrito.Anna Keeve

Chipotle has been ahead of the curve when it comes to offering an array of vegan menu options.
I stopped by to try every vegan item, including the plant-based "Sofritas" and "Lifestyle Bowls."

Chipotle has long been a staple for fresh fast-casual food. Even before it was the norm to have plant-based meats on the menu at fast-food restaurants, Chipotle was offering its plant-based protein they call “Sofritas.”

Anna Keeve walking into a Chipotle.Anna Keeve

Chipotle has long been a staple for fresh fast-casual food. Even before it was the norm to have plant-based meats on the menu at fast-food restaurants, Chipotle was offering its plant-based protein they call “Sofritas.”

I went on a quest to try all the vegan items on the menu and was pleasantly surprised by the many options, the large portions, and the low cost.

Anna Keeve opening the door of a Chipotle.Anna Keeve

Chipotle is known for its hyper-customization. For those with food preferences, allergies, or just picky eating habits, this is a draw. The simplicity of Chipotle is refreshing. You choose a base (a burrito, burrito bowl, salad, or taco), and then choose your toppings.

A Chipotle ordering bar.Chipotle

Chipotle is known for its hyper-customization. For those with food preferences, allergies, or just picky eating habits, this is a draw. The simplicity of Chipotle is refreshing. You choose a base (a burrito, burrito bowl, salad, or taco), and then choose your toppings.

The main staple of Chipotle's vegan offerings is its Sofritas, which are made with shredded tofu and a blend of spices. The Sofritas is an option in any dish and perfectly suitable for those trading in meat for a plant-based alternative.

A fork of Sofritas.Anna Keeve

The main staple of Chipotle's vegan offerings is its Sofritas, which are made with shredded tofu and a blend of spices. The Sofritas is an option in any dish and perfectly suitable for those trading in meat for a plant-based alternative.

The most exciting, and filling, item on the menu is the burrito. If you’re eating vegan, you can simply choose the Sofritas rather than an animal meat.

The inside of a Chipotle burrito.Anna Keeve

You may want to double up the Sofritas portion in your burrito — which I didn't do and regretted — if you really want to taste the meatiness and to avoid the Sofritas from getting drowned out by other ingredients. And if you want to sans a protein altogether, you can just do a veggie burrito.

Anna Keeve eating a Chipotle burrito.Anna Keeve

You may want to double up the Sofritas portion in your burrito — which I didn't do and regretted — if you really want to taste the meatiness and to avoid the Sofritas from getting drowned out by other ingredients. And if you want to sans a protein altogether, you can just do a veggie burrito.

The burritos are massive … certainly worth the $9.10 they cost. (I also got guacamole for an additional $2.65, which might have contributed to my burrito's XL size). It was surprisingly cheaper to opt for Sofritas as the protein base ($9.10) compared to some of the animal meats: Steak ($10.85), Barbacoa ($10.85), and Carnitas ($9.75). Chicken is the same price though ($9.10).

A Chipotle burrito.Anna Keeve

The burritos are massive … certainly worth the $9.10 they cost. (I also got guacamole for an additional $2.65, which might have contributed to my burrito's XL size). It was surprisingly cheaper to opt for Sofritas as the protein base ($9.10) compared to some of the animal meats: Steak ($10.85), Barbacoa ($10.85), and Carnitas ($9.75). Chicken is the same price though ($9.10).

You can also go with a burrito bowl, which is basically a burrito in a bowl minus the tortilla. Just as with the burrito, add the fixings you want to make it just to your liking.

A Chipotle bowl.Anna Keeve

You can also go with a burrito bowl, which is basically a burrito in a bowl minus the tortilla. Just as with the burrito, add the fixings you want to make it just to your liking.

Chipotle recently introduced its "Lifestyle Bowls," which is essentially a fancy name to categorize a collection of six different predetermined burrito bowls.

A Chipotle Lifestyle Bowl.Chipotle

At first I perceived this as a marketing gimmick to sell to more health-conscious eaters, but realized these can actually be useful to cater to one's food preferences or diet — and also handy if you're in a rush or indecisive. The Vegan Bowl option has rice, beans, and a few more fixings including the Sofritas.

A Chipotle salad.Anna Keeve

At first I perceived this as a marketing gimmick to sell to more health-conscious eaters, but realized these can actually be useful to cater to one's food preferences or diet — and also handy if you're in a rush or indecisive. The Vegan Bowl option has rice, beans, and a few more fixings including the Sofritas.

The tacos (which can be ordered as a set of three, or a la carte) can be made with either soft flour tortillas or crunchy corn tortillas.

Chipotle tacos.Anna Keeve

I preferred the soft flour tortillas; they taste better and are easier to eat. If you're avoiding gluten, or just in the mood for a giant tortilla chip to house your taco fillings, opt for the crunchy corn tortillas.

Anna Keeve eating Chipotle tacos.Anna Keeve

I preferred the soft flour tortillas; they taste better and are easier to eat. If you're avoiding gluten, or just in the mood for a giant tortilla chip to house your taco fillings, opt for the crunchy corn tortillas.

There's also a good ol' salad if you're striving for some lighter fare. Again, you can customize to your liking. Salads are essentially a burrito bowl minus the rice.

Anna Keeve eating a Chipotle bowl.Anna Keeve

For the little ones, there is a two-taco neatly organized kid’s meal.

A Chipotle kids meal.Anna Keeve

It comes with your choice of protein, and two additional toppings, served with a side of fruit and a drink.

A Chipotle Sofritas kids meal with sauce.Anna Keeve

At many restaurants, it’s questionable if rice, beans, and tortillas are vegan since many restaurants use animal by-products to cook these items. But at Chipotle, you can be sure the products are animal-product free.

Anna Keeve cutting a Chipotle burrito in half.Anna Keeve

At many restaurants, it’s questionable if rice, beans, and tortillas are vegan since many restaurants use animal by-products to cook these items. But at Chipotle, you can be sure the products are animal-product free.

While Chipotle did recently say it’s raising prices in some markets, the Sofritas-based items continue to be cheaper than most of the meat-based dishes.

The Chipotle menu.Anna Keeve

It’s worth mentioning that the Chipotle app makes it easy to order ahead. It is nice to skip the line and have your food ready when you arrive.

A Chipotle pick-up station.Anna Keeve

The only downside of not ordering in person is you don't get to watch as they make your food to ensure it's being made correctly.

Anna Keeve ordering on the Chipotle app.Anna Keeve

Especially if you have food preferences or allergies, it's often safer to order in person to mitigate any human error.

A Chipotle cook cutting limes while the company's "Chippy" robot makes chips.Chipotle

There's a good chance you can find a Chipotle near you and try some of the vegan items for yourself.

The ordering counter at Chipotle.Anna Keeve

They have over 3,000 restaurants (as of March 31, 2022) spanning across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

The entrance of a Chipotle.Anna Keeve

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I tried Chipotle's entire vegan menu and found that it's not only delicious &mdash; it's often cheaper than meat

Chipotle has long been a staple for fresh fast-casual food. Even before it was the norm to have plant-based meats on the menu at fast-food restaurants, Chipotle was offering its plant-based protein they call “Sofritas.”

I went on a quest to try all the vegan items on the menu and was pleasantly surprised by the many options, the large portions, and the low cost.

Chipotle is known for its hyper-customization. For those with food preferences, allergies, or just picky eating habits, this is a draw. The simplicity of Chipotle is refreshing. You choose a base (a burrito, burrito bowl, salad, or taco), and then choose your toppings.

The main staple of Chipotle's vegan offerings is its Sofritas, which are made with shredded tofu and a blend of spices. The Sofritas is an option in any dish and perfectly suitable for those trading in meat for a plant-based alternative.

The most exciting, and filling, item on the menu is the burrito. If you’re eating vegan, you can simply choose the Sofritas rather than an animal meat.

You may want to double up the Sofritas portion in your burrito — which I didn't do and regretted — if you really want to taste the meatiness and to avoid the Sofritas from getting drowned out by other ingredients. And if you want to sans a protein altogether, you can just do a veggie burrito.

You can also go with a burrito bowl, which is basically a burrito in a bowl minus the tortilla. Just as with the burrito, add the fixings you want to make it just to your liking.

Chipotle recently introduced its "Lifestyle Bowls," which is essentially a fancy name to categorize a collection of six different predetermined burrito bowls.

The tacos (which can be ordered as a set of three, or a la carte) can be made with either soft flour tortillas or crunchy corn tortillas.

I preferred the soft flour tortillas; they taste better and are easier to eat. If you're avoiding gluten, or just in the mood for a giant tortilla chip to house your taco fillings, opt for the crunchy corn tortillas.

There's also a good ol' salad if you're striving for some lighter fare. Again, you can customize to your liking. Salads are essentially a burrito bowl minus the rice.

For the little ones, there is a two-taco neatly organized kid’s meal.

It comes with your choice of protein, and two additional toppings, served with a side of fruit and a drink.

At many restaurants, it’s questionable if rice, beans, and tortillas are vegan since many restaurants use animal by-products to cook these items. But at Chipotle, you can be sure the products are animal-product free.

While Chipotle did recently say it’s raising prices in some markets, the Sofritas-based items continue to be cheaper than most of the meat-based dishes.

It’s worth mentioning that the Chipotle app makes it easy to order ahead. It is nice to skip the line and have your food ready when you arrive.

The only downside of not ordering in person is you don't get to watch as they make your food to ensure it's being made correctly.

Especially if you have food preferences or allergies, it's often safer to order in person to mitigate any human error.

There's a good chance you can find a Chipotle near you and try some of the vegan items for yourself.

They have over 3,000 restaurants (as of March 31, 2022) spanning across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

I tried Chipotle's entire vegan menu and found that it's not only delicious — it's often cheaper than meat