As one of the largest fast-casual restaurant chains in the United States, Chipotle Mexican Grill serves millions of customers each day. With a focus on using high-quality ingredients to make fresh, customized meals, Chipotle has become known for its burritos, tacos, bowls, and salads.
A key ingredient that Chipotle uses in many of its menu items is romaine lettuce. Romaine lettuce is a popular variety of lettuce known for its crisp texture and versatility. It is frequently used in salads and as a topping for tacos, burritos, and bowls.
Does Chipotle use romaine lettuce in their recipes?
Yes, romaine lettuce is widely used across Chipotle’s menu. Here are some of the main ways romaine lettuce is used in Chipotle recipes:
- Salads – Romaine lettuce is the base of all of Chipotle’s salad options including the Garden Salad, Salad Bowl, and Salad Tacos.
- Tacos and Burritos – Shredded romaine lettuce can be added as a topping to burritos, tacos, and burrito bowls.
- Sides – Shredded romaine lettuce or romaine lettuce leaves can be chosen as a side item.
- Kids Meals – Kid’s meals that contain salads or tacos may contain romaine lettuce.
So in summary, yes romaine lettuce is a very common ingredient found in many Chipotle menu creations ranging from salads to tacos to burrito bowls.
What specific Chipotle menu items contain romaine lettuce?
Here are some of the most popular Chipotle menu items that typically contain romaine lettuce:
- Salad Bowl
- Salad Tacos
- Garden Salad
- Burrito Bowl
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Kid’s Salad Bowl
- Kid’s Tacos
However, since guests can customize their orders, not all of the above items will necessarily contain romaine at all times. Guests can request no lettuce or substitute spinach or other lettuce varieties instead of romaine when ordering.
What types of romaine lettuce does Chipotle use?
Chipotle uses the following types of romaine lettuce:
- Chopped romaine – Used in salads, salad bowls, and other items where small chopped pieces of romaine are desired.
- Slivered romaine – Thin slivers of romaine used as taco, burrito, and bowl toppings.
- Romaine lettuce leaves – Whole romaine leaves that can be used as wrappers for tacos or added to meals as a side.
Chipotle notes that they only use the inner leaves of romaine lettuce heads, which are more tender and mild in flavor than the outer leaves.
Where does Chipotle source their romaine lettuce from?
Chipotle sources its romaine lettuce and other produce from various locations throughout the United States. Some of the main growing regions include:
- California – Major lettuce producer
- Arizona
- Florida
- Georgia
- Ohio
The exact sourcing varies throughout the year based on seasonality and availability. Chipotle has high standards for produce quality and seeks to use romaine lettuce at the peak of its freshness and flavor.
Does Chipotle wash their romaine lettuce before use?
Yes, Chipotle states that all of its romaine lettuce and other produce is thoroughly washed before being prepared and served in restaurants.
The exact washing process may vary from restaurant to restaurant, but typically involves soaking the romaine in a sink or large container filled with cold water to remove any dirt or residue. The romaine may be gently agitated to loosen any particles and then drained afterwards.
Some locations may use sanitizing rinses or other approved washing methods as well. Additionally, employees are expected to wash their hands thoroughly before handling any ingredients.
These washing procedures help remove potential contaminants and ensure the romaine lettuce is clean and ready for use in Chipotle recipes.
Does Chipotle take any special precautions with romaine lettuce amidst E. coli concerns?
Yes, Chipotle has implemented enhanced safety procedures for romaine lettuce and other leafy greens in light of E. coli outbreaks linked to these ingredients in recent years.
Some of Chipotle’s special precautions regarding romaine lettuce include:
- Working closely with suppliers to ensure high standards and safety testing.
- Blanching romaine lettuce leaves before use, which helps kill potential pathogens.
- More stringent receiving procedures to inspect, wash, and sanitize romaine.
- Precise tracking of romaine from farm to restaurant.
- Routine testing for pathogens at Chipotle restaurants.
Chipotle has detailed response and reporting procedures in place as well if any irregularities are found. By taking extra steps to secure the safety of its romaine supply, Chipotle aims to serve customers lettuce with confidence.
Has Chipotle ever halted use of romaine lettuce due to food safety concerns?
Yes, Chipotle has stopped serving romaine lettuce on a temporary basis during certain past outbreaks and scares impacting the lettuce supply chain. Some examples include:
- November 2018 – Romaine suspended during an outbreak linked to California romaine.
- April 2019 – Precautionary romaine suspension following an investigatory alert about Yuma, Arizona romaine.
In these instances, Chipotle removed romaine from its restaurants or switched to other lettuce varieties until the concerns could be fully investigated. No Chipotle romaine was ever implicated, but the chain opted to pause romaine use for safety.
Chipotle typically provides timely updates on any lettuce supply decisions through its website and social media channels. Once the all-clear is given, restaurants resume serving romaine lettuce.
Does Chipotle offer any substitutes for customers avoiding romaine lettuce?
Yes, Chipotle makes it easy for guests to modify items if they prefer to avoid romaine lettuce. Some common substitutions include:
- Spinach
- Shredded green cabbage
- Kale
- Chopped iceberg or butter lettuce
Guests can request these alternate greens instead of romaine at no extra cost. Employees may also offer suggestions about lettuce substitutes that can provide a similar crunch or texture.
Romaine-free salad dressings are also available, so guests avoiding romaine can still enjoy flavorful salads, bowls, and sides.
Does Chipotle ever serve expired or old romaine lettuce?
It is highly unlikely that any Chipotle restaurant would intentionally serve romaine lettuce that is expired, old, or of poor quality. Chipotle has extensive procedures in place to prevent this.
Some of Chipotle’s safeguards to ensure fresh romaine include:
- Daily deliveries of produce to restaurants to maintain constant restocking of fresh ingredients.
- First in, first out inventory rotation.
- Stringent expiration date checks and regular removal of any expired product.
- Romaine lettuce kept refrigerated at optimum temperatures.
- Employees trained to visually identify and discard any tired or low-quality lettuce.
Additionally, romaine is used quickly after preparation, so there is little time for quality to degrade before serving. If any lettuce ever appears to be past its prime, employees are instructed to throw it away and start fresh with new product.
Does Chipotle take food allergy concerns seriously when it comes to romaine lettuce?
Absolutely. Chipotle recognizes that romaine lettuce allergies, while rare, can be very serious for those who have them.
To help safeguard customers with romaine allergies, Chipotle has detailed procedures including:
- Allergen information readily available for all menu items, including whether they contain romaine.
- Employees fully trained on allergen awareness and preventing cross-contamination.
- Precise tracking of special order requests due to allergies.
- Dedicated work spaces and utensils for allergy orders.
- Modifying recipes to fully remove romaine if needed for an allergy.
Chipotle also provides a dedicated phone number and email for customers to contact regarding any allergy concerns.
By taking food allergies seriously and promoting open communication, Chipotle tries to create a positive and welcoming experience for all guests, including those with romaine lettuce allergies.
Conclusion
As a fresh, hearty green that adds crunch and flavor, romaine lettuce has become a strongly identified ingredient in many Chipotle menu offerings. Chipotle uses romaine in salads, bowls, tacos, and more while upholding rigorous standards regarding supply chain safety, ingredient quality, and food preparation.
While periodic scares may temporarily interrupt supplies, Chipotle remains committed to serving customers delicious, high-quality romaine lettuce alongside its real, responsibly sourced ingredients. With customizable ordering and detailed allergy protocols, the chain also aims to satisfy individual preferences and needs when it comes to romaine.
So for burrito bowl and salad lovers who can’t imagine their meals without that satisfying romaine crunch, Chipotle continues to be a go-to destination to get their fix – romaine on the menu means romaine in the bowl.