Pancheros and Chipotle are two popular Mexican fast casual restaurant chains. Both offer burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican staples. With the rise in popularity of fast casual dining and Mexican cuisine, many consumers are left wondering which option is healthier.
This article will compare the nutritional information between Pancheros and Chipotle to help you determine which restaurant offers the healthier menu options. We’ll look at calories, sodium, protein, and other key nutrients. By the end, you’ll have the facts you need to make an informed decision on which chain to visit when you’re craving Mexican food.
Nutritional Information at Pancheros
Pancheros is a fast casual Mexican grill that started in Iowa in the 1990s. The chain now has over 70 locations across 13 states. Pancheros is best known for its burritos made with homemade tortillas pressed and grilled right in front of you.
Pancheros provides detailed nutritional information for all of its menu items on its website. This transparency allows customers to make informed choices about what they choose to eat. Here are some of the key nutritional highlights from the Pancheros menu:
- Chicken burrito with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, salsa, and sour cream (no tortilla): 490 calories, 16g fat, 59g carbs, 29g protein
- Steak burrito with same ingredients: 560 calories, 17g fat, 63g carbs, 33g protein
- Chicken quesadilla with cheese: 510 calories, 28g fat, 42g carbs, 28g protein
- Chicken taco salad with lettuce, cheese, beans, salsa: 340 calories, 13g fat, 33g carbs, 24g protein
- Chips and queso dip: 510 calories, 28g fat
As you can see, while not exclusively low-calorie, Pancheros does offer lighter options like salad and burrito bowls under 500 calories. Making customizations like skipping the tortilla or sour cream can further reduce the calorie count.
Nutritional Information at Chipotle
Chipotle is one of the largest and most popular fast casual chains in the United States with over 2,500 locations. Founded in Colorado in the 1990s, Chipotle is best known for its assembly line format allowing extensive customization of burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads.
Here are some key nutritional highlights from the Chipotle menu:
- Chicken burrito with rice, beans, salsa, cheese, lettuce: 1,065 calories, 24g fat, 154g carbs, 53g protein
- Steak burrito with same ingredients: 1,100 calories, 24g fat, 154g carbs, 60g protein
- Chicken bowl with rice, beans, salsa, cheese: 705 calories, 17g fat, 93g carbs, 42g protein
- Carnitas taco with cheese, lettuce: 210 calories, 13g fat, 13g carbs, 12g protein
- Chips: 380 calories, 19g fat
Chipotle offers detailed nutrition facts online and in-store to help guests customize orders. While burritos and bowls can top 1,000 calories, lighter options like tacos, salad, or skipping extras like cheese and sour cream can reduce the calorie count substantially.
Comparing Calories
When comparing the base calorie counts of similar main menu items, Chipotle tends to be higher in calories than Pancheros:
| Menu Item | Pancheros | Chipotle |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken burrito | 490 calories | 1,065 calories |
| Steak burrito | 560 calories | 1,100 calories |
| Quesadilla | 510 calories | 770 calories |
However, both chains offer lower calorie options like tacos, salad, and bowls or burritos without the tortilla. Customizing your order to skip high-calorie add-ons like cheese, sour cream, and guacamole can also reduce the calorie count substantially at both restaurants.
Comparing Sodium
Sodium is an important nutrient to pay attention to, as the American Heart Association recommends limiting sodium to under 2,300mg per day as part of a heart-healthy diet. Here is how Pancheros and Chipotle menu items compare in terms of sodium content:
| Menu Item | Pancheros | Chipotle |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken burrito | 1,515mg | 1,620mg |
| Steak burrito | 1,740mg | 1,620mg |
| Bowl | 770mg | 1,060mg |
Sodium content is quite high in items like burritos and bowls at both chains. Skipping salt-heavy add-ons like queso, salsa, and cheese can help reduce your sodium intake. Tacos and salads also tend to be lower in sodium than burritos and bowls.
Comparing Protein
Protein is an important nutrient that helps keep you feeling full and satisfied after a meal. Here is how Pancheros and Chipotle compare in terms of protein content in menu items:
| Menu Item | Pancheros | Chipotle |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken burrito | 29g | 53g |
| Steak burrito | 33g | 60g |
| Bowl | 24g | 42g |
Chipotle tends to offer more protein than Pancheros in main dishes like burritos and bowls. This is likely due to larger portion sizes. If you are looking to maximize protein intake, Chipotle may be the better choice.
Ingredients
The quality of ingredients can also be an important factor in determining how healthy a restaurant chain is. Here is an overview of ingredients at Pancheros vs. Chipotle:
- Meats: Both restaurants offer antibiotic-free chicken. Chipotle also serves grass-fed steak.
- Produce: Chipotle highlights sourcing local produce when in season. Both use fresh vegetables like peppers, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.
- Cooking oils: Pancheros uses canola oil while Chipotle prepares food in sunflower oil.
- Beans: Vegetarian beans are made from scratch with basic ingredients at both chains.
- Dairy: Cheese, sour cream, etc. comes from dairy suppliers.
- Tortillas: Pancheros homemade tortillas use flour, water, canola oil, baking powder. Chipotle uses flour tortillas from suppliers.
- Salsas & hot sauces: Made fresh in-house from basic ingredients at both chains.
When it comes to ingredients, both Pancheros and Chipotle emphasize fresh, high-quality ingredients without a lot of artificial additives or preservatives. Chipotle highlights its responsibly raised meats and local sourcing while Pancheros is known for its homemade tortillas.
Dietary Restrictions
Those with certain dietary restrictions like gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian diets should also consider the menu options available at each chain:
- Gluten-free: Chipotle offers gluten-free tortillas and has a protocol to avoid cross-contamination. Pancheros currently does not offer gluten-free tortillas.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Both restaurants have robust vegan and vegetarian options. Plant-based sofritas can be substituted for meat at Chipotle.
- Allergies: Major allergens like nuts are not used in food prep at either chain.
Those with gluten allergies or preferences may favor Chipotle since gluten-free tortillas are available. Both chains cater well to plant-based diets. Precautions are taken around major food allergens at each restaurant.
The Healthiest Choices at Pancheros
If you choose to eat at Pancheros, here are some of healthiest menu options to order:
- Burrito bowl or burrito without the tortilla
- Soft or crunchy tacos
- Ensalada Mexicana (Mexican salad)
- Chicken, steak, or vegetarian as the protein source
- Skip queso, sour cream, guacamole as toppings
- Salsa, lettuce, rice, beans, corn salsa all provide nutrients without excess calories
- Side of chips and salsa instead of chips and queso
Building your meal from the healthiest ingredients while avoiding heavy add-ons like queso and sour cream is key to keeping your meal relatively low in calories at Pancheros. Take advantage of fiber-rich ingredients like beans and salsas as well.
The Healthiest Choices at Chipotle
If you dine at Chipotle, here are the best options for keeping your meal on the healthier side:
- Burrito bowl or salad
- Chicken, carnitas, barbacoa, or sofritas as protein
- Load up on salsa, lettuce, tomato, corn salsa
- Brown rice over white rice
- Black or pinto beans
- Skip extras like sour cream, cheese, guacamole
- Side of chips and salsa or guacamole instead of queso dip
Building a bowl or salad and avoiding tortillas, queso, sour cream, and rice is your best bet for creating a healthier Chipotle meal. Take advantage of fresh salsas, veggies, and brown rice or beans to get beneficial fiber and nutrients.
Comparison of Healthy Meal Options
If we build a healthy meal at each restaurant avoiding the highest calorie add-ons, here is an example nutrient comparison:
| Meal | Pancheros | Chipotle |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken bowl with rice, beans, salsa, lettuce, corn salsa | 490 calories, 16g fat, 59g carbs, 29g protein | 710 calories, 12g fat, 93g carbs, 42g protein |
The Pancheros meal is slightly lower in calories and carbs compared to Chipotle but a little lower in protein as well. Both provide a good source of fiber from rice and beans and nutrients from fresh vegetables. Either would make a filling, relatively healthy fast casual meal.
Conclusion
When comparing the nutritional profiles of Pancheros and Chipotle, Chipotle tends to have higher calories though both chains have indulgent menu choices. Making customizations is key to keeping the calorie, carb, and sodium count lower at both restaurants.
Chipotle offers more protein in its burritos and bowls. Pancheros stands out with its homemade tortillas baked fresh in the restaurant. Both emphasize fresh ingredients and have options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets.
While Pancheros may edge out Chipotle slightly on calories and sodium counts, the differences are not major. Either restaurant can provide a satisfying Mexican-inspired meal as long as you choose healthier menu items like bowls, salads, and tacos and avoid heavy additions like queso, sour cream, and chips.
Some final tips for eating healthy at Pancheros or Chipotle:
- Opt for bowls or tacos instead of high-carb, high-calorie burritos and quesadillas.
- Load up on nutrient-dense fresh veggies like lettuce, salsa, and corn.
- Choose healthier proteins like chicken or carnitas over heavy beef.
- Skip the chips and dip for a side salad or salsa instead.
- Avoid heavy add-ons like queso, sour cream, and guacamole.
- Ask for any sauces or dressings on the side to control portions.
- Drink water instead of soda to cut empty calories.
By customizing your order, you can enjoy flavorful Mexican cuisine from either Pancheros or Chipotle while still sticking to your healthy diet goals.