Chipotle used to be considered the top spot for slop bowls, burritos, and fast-casual Mexican food. The company dominated social media throughout the 2010s and even the early 2020s.
Then things took a turn, as people started to say that Chipotle was no longer worth the price.
One content creator posted a video reflecting on how the restaurant chain has shifted. Joann (@joannimal) went to a Chipotle in Trinity, Florida, only to leave feeling stiffed.
She got charged full price for a kids’ meal with a paltry portion of rice, beans, and sour cream—no protein. When she asked Chipotle employees whether it was possible to add protein to her meal, she was told that she would have to pay $6 for it.
The situation made the content creator ask whether she should just cook at home. Commenters generally agreed with Joann’s point and said that in this particular circumstance, Chipotle was “stingy” with portion sizes and offerings. Then, they debated whether it’s even worth going to the chain in the first place.
As of this writing, Joann’s post has more than 2,500 views.
What happened at Chipotle?
Many people—regardless of age—love Chipotle’s kids’ meals. It’s both a realistic option for individuals who need less food and a popular item for budget-friendly dining. Food Republic notes that the kids meal, which can come with a taco or quesadilla, is less than $6, which can make it a steal.
But according to Joann, the kids’ meal she ordered was not all it cracked up to be. The content creator went inside Chipotle to place an order for two kids’ meals, one with a quesadilla and one with the “build your own taco” option.
She also ordered a bowl for one of her children. She received her items to-go, but decided while at Chipotle she’d rather sit down and eat. She picked out a table, sat down, and opened up her order. That’s when Joann realized that the “build your own taco” kids’ meal she ordered for herself didn’t have any protein in it.
In her video, she highlighted that she only received “rice, beans, and sour cream.” So she went back to discuss the issue with the Chipotle workers.
The first employee she discussed the issue with assumed that she wanted Chipotle to assemble the tacos in the kids meals she ordered. When Joann explained that she knew they came pre-assembled, but that she was missing a protein source, the employee told her they “rang it up as veggie.”
Regardless, Joann asked whether she’d be able to get protein with her meal. That’s when the Chipotle employee let her know she’d have to pay $6 for a protein. “ So now my kids’ meal is a $12 kids’ meal. That’s more than a burrito, right?” Joann said.
Joann seeks a second opinion
Joann went back to her table and sat down. She received some protein from the bowl she ordered for her child. But the issue still bothered her. She decided to get a second opinion from the woman running the to-go orders.
Joann walked up to the woman and asked, “ Hey, I’m not looking for money. I’m not looking for food. I just want a conversation here. What do you think? Does this kids’ meal… Does this kids’ meal look correct to you?”
The woman replied, “Well, they counted the queso as one of your sides.”
Joann never received queso as part of her kids’ meal. She explained in her video that the Chipotle employee may have mistaken the sour cream she received as queso, but she was still confused by the employee’s response. To her, even if she did receive queso, it should’ve been an upcharge rather than a side.
The employee offered to get her manager, and Joann agreed. Joann discussed the issue for a third time and said the manager understood what she was trying to explain. Regardless, Joann never received protein with the kids’ meal she ordered. “Rice, beans and sour cream” constituted her entire meal.
@joannimal The @Chipotle in Trinity, Fl tried me again last night. ??♀️#chipotle #trinityflorida #fyp ♬ original sound – Joann
Does Chipotle actually serve small portions?
Across the United States, thousands of consumers have said that Chipotle has lost its touch. Or rather, that Chipotle has lost its market domination by not providing ample portions. In 2024, a trend started where individuals would walk out of Chipotle locations if they did not feel their bowl was getting properly filled. Prior to the trend’s popularity, there had been some rumors that the chain was cutting back or skimping on portions.
Zachary Fadem, a Wells Fargo analyst, even ran a test of Chipotle bowls. Fadem and his team purchased “75 burrito bowls with white rice, black beans, chicken, pico de gallo, cheese and lettuce across 8 Chipotle locations in New York City,” which revealed that the bowls varied greatly. Some locations offered bowls that weighed up to 33% more than others on average.
Then an earnings call seemingly verified what many people suspected. Then-CEO of Chipotle, Brian Niccol, confirmed that at least 10% of Chipotle locations had reduced portion sizes at select locations across the country, according to Forbes. That led to further media attention directed at the company, which popularized the idea that Chipotle has reduced the quantity of food it offers customers.
By 2026, Chipotle’s leadership had changed. The current CEO, Scott Boatwright, has publicly stated that portions have not shrunken. Boatwright specifically recommended that those who are concerned with portion sizes “ask for more” in their bowls.
But that hasn’t necessarily stopped the company from receiving scrutiny.
What did viewers say?
Some of Joann’s viewers slammed Chipotle for its paltry portion sizes. A few even said they had similar experiences at the chain and have since sworn off ordering any food from it.
“CAVA, Moes and SOOOO many more places are sooo much better,” one viewer said.
“They charged me $2.95 for guacamole for each of my 3 tacos. Never again,” another added.
But some viewers told Joann that she should have paid more attention when ordering her food.
“You got sour cream, rice and beans because that is what you ordered,” one person said. “As a chipotle worker, we NEVER put ANYTHING in the tortillas unless they specifically ask BEFORE they pay. You get 2 tortillas and 3 sides, one is usually meat( if that’s what you want not everyone gets meat) and then whatever else you want. That is very very normal looking kids meal.”
Then, another person said, “Yeah that’s normal babes,” with a crying emoji.
The Mary Sue has reached out to Joann via TikTok direct message and Chipotle via email for comment.
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Rachel Thomas
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