Chipotle opened its doors in 1993 at their cornerstone location near the University of Denver. Since that time, the mexican food grill has expanded to over 950 locations in the United States and Canada, as well as to a brand new location in London, England. Although Chipotle can be classified as a fast food restaurant chain, they pride themselves on "using only fresh ingredients that are prepared in their kitchen and when they can, serving food that is natually raised and locally grown." The Chipotle menu, with only five main items, is fairly simple, but, according to Chipotle, there are upwards of 65,000 possible meal combinations. This means that to some extent, the calorie content of any burrito, fajita burrito, burrito bowl, taco or salad you eat there is really up to you. All the fresh ingredients are laid out in front of you, and you make the decision on how big or small your portions are and what combination of fresh ingredients you want to use in creating your meal.
Meats
Once you decide on which of the five main menu items you want, then the varied choices begin. Chipotle offers four different types of meat and a vegetarian option. The steak and chicken, which are both marinated in Chipotle's special adobo and then grilled, contain 190 calories for 4 ounces. The carnitas, seasoned pork that is seared and braised, also contains 190 calories for 4 ounces. Barbacoa or braised and shredded beef, is their lowest-calorie meat option and is 170 caloreis for 4 ounces. The vegetarian option include black beans, which contain 120 calories for 4 ounces, and guacamole, which is 150 calories for 3.5 ounces.
Beans
For every main menu item except the tacos, you are given a choice of beans. Chipotle offers either pinto or black beans. As far as calories go, both choices are the same with 4 ounces containing 120 calories.
Salsas
Chipotle has four different salsa options. The mild Fresh Tomato-Salsa contains 20 calories in a 3.5-ounce serving. The medium-spiced Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa is the highest calorie option, containing 80 calories in a 3.5-ounce serving. The Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa is the other medium-spiced option and contains 25 calories in a 2-ounce serving. Two ounces of the hot Red Tomatillo-Chili Salsa have 40 calories.
Add-ons and Extras
You have the choice to add cheese, sour cream, guacamole and romaine lettuce to any of the main items. One ounce of the cheese will add 100 calories to your meal, two ounces of sour cream add 120 calories, 3.5 ounces of guacomole will add 150 calories, and one ounce of the romaine lettuce only adds 5 calories.
Their chips, although considered an "extra" or side item, contain the most calories of any single serving of any item on Chipotle's menu. Four ounces contain about 570 calories.
Main Menu Items
The Burrito is the highest calorie item, because the flour tortilla wrap adds 290 calories to any combination of meats, beans, salsa and any extras. If you also choose to add the cilantro-lime rice, 3 ounces will add another 130 calories.
The Fajita Burrito replaces beans with sauteed peppers and onions. Two and a half ounces of the fajita vegetables is only 20 calories, so you save yourself 100 calories by skipping the beans and adding more vegetables.
The Burrito Bowl gives you all the same choices as the burrito but cuts 290 calories by not including the flour tortilla wrap.
The Tacos are a lower calorie choice than the burritos because they do not include a choice of beans or rice. However, you can choose whether you want a soft tortilla or crispy taco shell. The crispy taco, at 60 calories, is the lower calorie option, as opposed to the soft tortilla, which contains 90 calories.
The salad has the potential to be the lowest calorie option, depending on your choice of beans, meat, cheese and salsa, and how much of the chipotle-honey dressing you wish to use. Two ounces of chipotle dressing contain 260 calories.
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