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Chipotle fans will be making a game plan after the Mexican chain announced the temporary return of a popular dish to celebrate football season.
The restaurant’s Carne Asada—its most searched-for item—will be served up across the U.S. and Canada from Thursday.
But it will only be available for “a limited time,” the brand said, without revealing exactly when the dish will vanish from menus again.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Why It Matters
Chipotle’s version of Carne Asada, a dish that it describes as “featuring tender, juicy cuts of freshly grilled steak, finished with fresh lime and cilantro,” has been around before. And it proved popular with diners previously, the chain said, noting that “according to Google search history, Carne Asada was Chipotle’s most-searched menu item and the second-most searched limited time offering among all national restaurant brands.”
Chipotle was launched three decades ago and, by last year, had grown to more than 3,700 restaurants worldwide, according to the number-crunching website Statista. It is believed to serve up to a million Americans each year.
What To Know
The Carne Asada comeback was announced in a statement on Tuesday by the company, which suggested it had been brought back after popular demand.
“Chipotle Mexican Grill today announced that Carne Asada will return in the U.S. and Canada on Thursday, September 4 for a limited time after continued fanfare from guests,” the statement said. “Chipotle’s Carne Asada was Chipotle’s most-searched limited time offer on Google in 2024 and the second-most searched limited time offer among all national restaurant brands. [It was] originally introduced in 2019, and this launch marks the fourth time it returns to Chipotle’s menu.”
The dish is “Keto and Paleo friendly,” the release added, for diners following those particular diets.
The menu has been updated to mark the U.S. football season, with the National Football League kicking off this month and running until early January.
What People Are Saying
Chipotle President and Chief Brand Officer Chris Brandt said: “Our Carne Asada is an elevated, chef-driven recipe that attracts new guests, reignites our Chipotle Rewards members and excites our restaurant teams. The protein’s rich flavor profile is the perfect pairing for any gameday whether you’re watching marquee matchups from home or tailgating at the stadium.”
The vice president of culinary at Chipotle, Nevielle Panthaky, recommends adding salsas to the dish. “The roasted chili-corn salsa adds a beautiful pop of sweetness, while the tomato salsa brings a burst of freshness that pairs perfectly with the savory and tangy notes of our juicy, tender Carne Asada,” he said. “It simply can’t be beat.”
What Happens Next
The Carne Asada will be available in Chipotle outlets from Thursday. But fans may want to hurry to buy the dish since the company has not revealed how long the limited-run promotion will last.
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