Chipotle is a great place to eat if you’re a vegan. Chipotle is a restaurant that tries to present and maintain a green image centered around health(ier) food in general, so it’s no surprise they happen to be one of the vegan friendliest quick-service restaurants around — it’s also just largely due to the type of cuisine they serve. I still remember when Chipotle was new, and most people, including myself, had no idea what it was. Now, I think it’s pretty safe to assume Chipotle can be found just about anywhere in the country — at least in or near every major city.
There’s no point in listing the vegan items you can order at Chipotle, because virtually every ingredient is vegan. The only things you have to steer clear of are the meats and cheeses. If you’re not familiar with how Chipotle works, it’s like Subway for burritos — you go down a cafeteria-style line, and tell the people behind the counter what to put on your burrito. You can get burritos, tacos, or a burrito bowl, and that’s pretty much it, except for chips and dips you can order on the side.
I usually get a burrito bowl with black beans, all the veggies, hot salsa, and guacamole. If I’m really hungry, I’ll get the same thing in a burrito shell, which is almost too much food. Almost. The tacos are good but I just don’t see any point in getting them. I suppose if you know ahead of time that you aren’t going to finish your meal, the tacos make sense. That being said, sometimes I get them just for the fun of it.
I’ve been eating at Chipotle for years — I’ve probably been there 50 times or more — and I don’t think they’ve ever screwed up, nor have I had a bad experience. While I would probably never choose Chipotle of a mom & pop shop or restaurant that caters specifically to vegans/vegetarians, I’d have to say it is definitely one of my top choices when it comes to chain restaurants.
Sofritas
About a year ago, Chipotle launched a new menu item in test markets called a Sofrita. I’ve yet to have one of these because I haven’t seen them at any of the Chipotles I’ve been to recently, and I’ve only been to Chipotle about two times in the past year, so not great odds. If you don’t know, Sofritas are marketed as vegan, practically setting a record for chain restaurants. The dish is supposedly some type of tofu medley — it looks like tempeh and is pictured above — that can be added to a burrito, taco, or bowl.
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