This is a common question for Chipotle customers who want to load up on protein in their bowls, burritos, tacos, and salads. The simple answer is yes, Chipotle does charge for extra meat portions beyond the standard protein serving included with each entree.
Chipotle’s Standard Meat Portions
At Chipotle, customers can choose between several different meat options to build their entrees. The standard serving sizes for each protein are:
- Chicken – chicken portions are 4 oz
- Steak – steak portions are 4 oz
- Barbacoa – barbacoa portions are 4 oz
- Carnitas – carnitas portions are 4 oz
- Sofritas (tofu) – sofritas portions are 4 oz
- Chorizo – chorizo portions are 4 oz
These standard 4 oz ladle portions of meat are included in the base price of your entree. However, some customers wish to add extra meat, which is where the upcharges come into play.
Upcharges for Extra Meat
If you want more than the standard 4 oz meat portion, Chipotle will charge you for each additional scoop of meat. The upcharges for extra meat are:
- Chicken – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
- Steak – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
- Barbacoa – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
- Carnitas – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
- Sofritas – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
- Chorizo – $1.95 for 4 oz extra
So if you wanted 8 oz of chicken instead of the standard 4 oz, you would pay an extra $1.95. The extra meat charges apply whether you’re building a bowl, burrito, salad, or tacos.
Getting the Most Meat for Your Money
If you want to maximize the amount of meat you get while minimizing the extra charges, here are some tips:
- Stick to the standard 4 oz portion of one meat.
- Add extras like guacamole, cheese, and sour cream to make it more filling.
- Order a burrito or bowl instead of tacos or a salad to get more of the standard 4 oz portion.
- Try getting only half of one meat and half of another to get more variety.
- Load up on free toppings like lettuce, salsa, beans, rice etc. to add volume.
Getting double meat can significantly drive up the total cost of your order. To save money, build your entree strategically by combining different flavors and adding extras for fullness.
Do They Make Exceptions?
In general, Chipotle locations strictly follow the company policy of charging for any meat portions over 4 oz. The staff likely does not have authority to give away free extra meat.
However, some customers have reported rare instances where nice managers allowed them extra meat at no charge if it was the end of the day and they needed to use up ingredients. But this seems to be extremely rare and not the norm at most locations.
Your best bet is to come prepared to pay for any meat over 4 oz. rather than relying on getting it for free. The standard process is to charge for additional meat as per Chipotle corporate policy.
Ordering Extra Meat Online vs. In-Person
The upcharge for extra meat portions applies whether you order online, on the Chipotle app, or in-person. There is no difference in pricing.
One advantage to ordering online/on the app is that it may be easier to customize your order exactly how you want, making it clear that you want extra meat. The digital order is sent straight to the staff who will prepare your bowl with the requested extras.
If ordering in-person, you may need to very clearly specify that you want additional meat portions and understand they come at an added price. This ensures there is no confusion and helps the transaction process smoothly.
Does Extra Meat Impact Calories and Nutrition?
Yes, adding extra portions of meat will increase the calories, protein, fat, and other nutrients in your Chipotle order. Here is a nutritional comparison of a standard chicken bowl vs. one with double chicken:
Standard Chicken Bowl (4 oz chicken)
| Calories | 710 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 17g |
| Protein | 37g |
Double Chicken Bowl (8 oz chicken)
| Calories | 960 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 33g |
| Protein | 66g |
As you can see, doubling the chicken adds 250 calories, 16g more fat, and 29g more protein. Keep this in mind if you’re tracking nutrition and calories.
Tips for Adding Extra Meat on a Budget
If you want extra meat but want to stick to a budget, here are some tips:
- Ask for half portions of two meats instead of a full double portion of one meat. You’ll get more variety at a lower cost.
- Go for extra portions of lower-cost meats like chicken or carnitas rather than steak.
- Get extras like guacamole and queso on the side so you can control how much you use.
- Order a bowl instead of a burrito since you can often pack more in a bowl.
- Come at non-peak hours when staff may be more generous with portions.
- Check for deals in the Chipotle app – sometimes you can get free extras or side portions.
With some creativity and smart ordering, you can get extra meat while keeping your costs down. But in general, Chipotle does charge for those additional protein portions beyond the standard 4 oz.
Responses to Common Chipotle Meat Questions
Here are answers to some other frequently asked questions about Chipotle’s meat portions and pricing:
Can I get a whole scoop of each meat in my burrito?
No, you are limited to a standard 4 oz portion of each meat in a single entree. You would have to pay for any extra meat beyond the initial 4 oz scoop of each protein.
What if I order extra meat but don’t finish it all?
Unfortunately, you still have to pay for any extra meat you order, even if you don’t eat it all. Since it’s an added cost, be sure you want those extra portions before ordering.
Can I share a side of extra meat with a friend to save money?
Yes, ordering a side portion of meat and sharing it with a friend can be a good way to add extra protein while saving money. Just specify you want the meat on the side when ordering.
What’s the maximum amount of meat I can get in one burrito?
There’s no set limit, but keep in mind the burrito has to be able to wrap closed. Most customers report being able to comfortably fit 12-16 oz of meat total in one burrito.
If I order online, can I specify exactly how much meat I want?
Yes, the online ordering system allows you to customize the exact amount of each protein. So you can order 6 oz, 8 oz, etc. It gets sent straight to the kitchen to prepare.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Chipotle does charge for extra meat over the standard 4 oz protein portions included in item prices. While you may very rarely encounter a generous manager willing to give you more for free, the standard practice is to charge per Chipotle’s upcharge policy.
To get the most meat for your money, go with standard portions, share sides, add other free toppings, and take advantage of online customization. And be prepared to pay a little extra if you want to load up on those hefty portions of chicken, steak, carnitas and more!