Some of the most popular posts on the data-sketchy social media platform TikTok are insider tips, “secret” menu items, and “hacks” to popular QSR chains like Starbucks, Mcdonald’s, and Dunkin’.
The latest so-called menu hack from TikTok targets burrito chain Chipotle.
Users on TikTok are manipulating Chipotle’s online menu, ordering a fully-loaded taco with plenty of salsas on the side and extra burrito tortillas. Since Chipotle typically doesn’t charge for sides, even multiple cups of the same side, the end result of this latest hack is essentially a $4 burrito with about a third of the meat of a regular burrito you have to put together yourself. But the savings are substantial over a typical burrito, which can cost between $9-12.
But, hey, in this economy, a deal is a deal, right?
The only downside is that this hack makes you a total dick.
Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against sticking it to Big Burrito, but this hack creates more work for an already overextended Chipotle staff. Instead of rolling all the ingredients into a single tortilla, weary Chipotle line workers must portion most of the fillings into individual cups. Even if you’re a bit of a Karen and are indifferent to making staff work harder on your behalf, you’re also holding up the line for customers, dude. Not cool.
Using this hack also means extra packaging—and lots of it. All those little cups of salsas are typically plastic, as are the lids. Nothing is truly free in this world, and the monetary savings come at the expense of additional single-use plastic going out into the world and likely hitting a landfill or major body of water.
Dieline reached out to Chipotle for comment with no response as yet.
Update: TikTok users flew too close to the sun. According to internal emails sent to store managers, Chipotle has since disabled single taco orders online and in-app starting Wednesday evening.
