Chipotle Mexican Grill is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain that is known for its customizable burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads. One popular menu item that customers love to order is the quesadilla. When ordering a quesadilla from Chipotle, many customers wonder – does it come with any sides?
What is a quesadilla at Chipotle?
The quesadilla at Chipotle is a grilled flour tortilla filled with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese. Customers can choose to add different fillings like chicken, steak, carnitas (pork), barbacoa (spicy shredded beef), fajita veggies, rice, beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and more. The quesadilla is freshly prepared to order in front of the customer.
Compared to other items on the menu, the quesadilla offers a simpler, more classic option focused on the melted cheese filling. While burritos, bowls, and salads come with a variety of ingredients and toppings included, the quesadilla starts as a blank canvas for customers to customize to their preferences.
Does the quesadilla come with any sides?
No, a quesadilla ordered by itself does not automatically come with any sides at Chipotle. The quesadilla is simply the grilled tortilla filled with cheese and any additional fillings the customer selects.
However, there are a few options customers have to get sides with a quesadilla order:
- Order the quesadilla as part of a meal deal. Chipotle offers diferentes quesadilla meals that come with sides like chips and salsa or guacamole.
- Add sides like chips, salsa, guacamole, rice, beans, etc. individually to your order. This will add an additional cost to your order.
- Order a quesadilla along with another entree like a burrito, bowl, salad, or tacos. The other item would come with sides included.
So in summary, while a standalone quesadilla does not include sides, customers can purchase sides separately or order a quesadilla meal to get chips, salsa, guacamole, or other sides.
Chipotle Quesadilla Side Options
Although sides do not come automatically with a quesadilla order, Chipotle offers a variety of delicious side options that customers can add on:
Chips and Salsa
A classic side choice, Chipotle’s chips and salsa are made fresh in-store daily. The tortilla chips are fried and seasoned with salt, while the salsa options include mild tomato salsa, spicy tomatillo-green chili salsa, and roasted chili-corn salsa.
Chips and Guacamole
For extra richness, the fresh guacamole makes a great pairing with the crunchy tortilla chips. Chipotle’s guacamole has chunks of avocado, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime.
Rice
Choose white or brown rice cooked with a blend of garlic, comino, and lime juice. The rice makes a hearty, fiber-filled side.
Beans
Chipotle offers black or pinto beans that are seasoned with spices like onion, oregano, and bay leaves. Beans add protein and fiber.
Salsa
Get a side of salsa alone to dip your quesadilla or use as an extra topping. Choose from the mild tomato, spicy tomatillo-green chili, or smoky roasted chili-corn salsas.
Queso
For an extra cheesy side, opt for Chipotle’s smooth and creamy queso dip made with Monterey jack cheese and tomatoes.
Sour Cream
A cooling, creamy dipping sauce for your quesadilla or chips.
Lettuce
Freshly chopped lettuce adds crunch and nutrients without many calories.
Fajita Vegetables
Sauteed onion and bell peppers can complement your quesadilla as a veggie-filled side.
Prices of Sides at Chipotle
The prices of sides at Chipotle are very reasonable considering the fresh, high-quality ingredients used. Here are the current prices of popular quesadilla side options:
| Side Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Chips | $2.40 |
| Salsa | $1.95 |
| Guacamole | $3.25 |
| Queso | $2.10 |
| Rice | $2.40 |
| Beans | $2.40 |
| Sour Cream | $0.75 |
| Lettuce | $1.30 |
| Fajita Vegetables | $1.95 |
Keep in mind prices may vary slightly by location. There are also frequently promotions on the Chipotle app for deals like free delivery or buy-one-get-one free entree that could help you score free or discounted sides!
Tips for Ordering a Quesadilla with Sides
Here are some tips for ordering a quesadilla with sides at Chipotle:
- Take advantage of quesadilla meal deals that come with built-in sides like chips and salsa or guacamole to save money.
- Be aware that ordering multiple sides individually can add up cost-wise. Choose 1-2 sides to keep your order more budget-friendly.
- Consider ordering a side of salsa, lettuce, or fajita veggies to add extra flavor and nutrition without too many extra calories.
- Guacamole makes a tasty splurge but comes at a premium price – the queso dip is a lower-calorie, cheaper cheesy side.
- Chips with salsa or guacamole is a popular pairing for quesadillas. The crunchy textures contrast nicely.
- If you want more volume and food, rice or beans can accompany a quesadilla as hearty side options.
- Don’t forget to check the Chipotle app for coupons on sides like free chips and salsa or guacamole!
Quesadilla Hack: Order it as a Salad or Bowl
Savvy Chipotle customers know a secret quesadilla hack to get more food for your money. Instead of ordering the quesadilla by itself, order it as a salad or bowl!
When you order a salad or bowl at Chipotle, it comes automatically with sides like chips, salsa, lettuce, and other toppings. Here’s how to order a quesadilla hacked as a salad or bowl:
- Choose a salad or bowl as your starting point.
- Ask for a quesadilla with your choice of fillings instead of the salad greens or rice/beans.
- The quesadilla will be chopped up into bite-sized pieces and added to your bowl or salad base.
- You’ll get all the delicious tastes of a quesadilla plus the sides and extra toppings that come with a salad or bowl for only a little bit more money.
This hack essentially gives you a quesadilla plus sides for only slightly more than ordering a quesadilla alone. It’s a handy way to get more food and value.
Is the Quesadilla Worth it at Chipotle?
At the end of the day, is ordering a quesadilla at Chipotle worth it compared to other menu options?
Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- It’s a nice simple, classic option compared to more complex burrito or bowl orders.
- Allows for total customization with your choice of fillings.
- Cheesy and tasty when you are in the mood for melted cheese.
- Can be ordered as part of a meal deal with included sides.
- Hacked version as a salad or bowl gives you sides and more value.
Cons
- No sides included automatically with standalone quesadilla.
- Smaller portion size than burritos, bowls, salads.
- Adding multiple sides increases cost.
- Some find it overpriced for the portion size.
- Health-wise, large amount of cheese and limited veggies.
Overall, the quesadilla can be a good option at Chipotle when you are seeking a simple, customizable, cheesy menu choice. Just be aware that it doesn’t come with any sides automatically. Adding on sides or hacking it as a salad or bowl can increase the value. But simpler may be better – going with just a quesadilla alone means you control the extras and cost.
Conclusion
At Chipotle, quesadillas by themselves do not come with any sides included. However, customers have options to add on sides like chips, salsa, guacamole, rice, beans, and more for an additional cost. Meal deals are also available that bundle the quesadilla with sides. Using the “quesadilla hack” of ordering it in a salad or bowl is another way to get a quesadilla with sides for only slightly more money. While the quesadilla is not the highest value menu option given its lack of included sides and smaller portion size, it can still be a tasty and customizable choice with the right extras.