Chipotle fans are going crazy over the return of its beloved Carne Asada.
The seasoned protein combined with lime and hand-chopped cilantro returned to menus on September 4.
Its triumphant return comes a year after being named Chipotle's most-searched limited-time offer on Google. It was also the second-most searched limited time offer among all US restaurant brands.
'Our Carne Asada is an elevated, chef-driven recipe that attracts new guests, reignites our Chipotle Rewards members and excites our restaurant teams,' said Chris Brandt, president and chief brand officer.
Consumers on Instagram agree, saying they 'can't get there fast enough' to place a 'dream come true' of an order.
'Only been waiting two years for this. Eating a bowl right now,' a customer said in a social media post.
This is the fourth time the hot menu item, which was first introduced in 2019, has come back to the menu at Chipotle.
The fan favorite return comes after reactions were mixed to the new Adobo Ranch sauce — the chain's first new dip in five years.
Chipotle's Carne Asada returned to menus for a limited time on September 4
The Carne Asada was Chipotle's most-searched limited time offer on Google in 2024
However, student athletes at The Ohio State University, University of Florida and University of Georgia have praised Chipotle for allowing them to score free food.
The Mexican grill restaurant chain is handing every athlete at the three colleges in question customized cards which entitles them to one free entrée per week for 15 weeks over the course of the season.
The Ohio State University students were already afforded this luxury earlier in 2025, with Chipotle now extending the partnership to include two more elite athletic programs in Florida and Georgia.
It is believed the initiative will help nearly 2,000 college athletes.
'Our restaurants near each of these universities are frequently filled with student athletes looking for a quick and nutritious meal that can help them thrive in the classroom and on the field,' said Brandt.
Chipotle has so far survived the effects of inflation and rising food prices.
The chain shocked the nation in April after confirming its first downturn in revenue in five years — a 0.4 percent drop in comparable sales. Sales dove again during its second quarter, this time by 4 percent.
While its expansion to Mexico could help boost profits, Chipotle is also beginning to count on technology to help improve the brand.
Chipotle's comparable sales dropped 4 percent during its second quarter
Chipotle unveiled a prototype of a collaborative robot back in 2023. Dubbed the Autocado, the machine could cut, core and peel avocados with no human supervision.
The chain is taking a step further by making a $25 million joint investment with Cava — known by some as the 'Mediterranean Chipotle.'
Both chains invested in Hyphen, a California robotics company that builds 'digital makelines' to assemble bowls and salads without human hands.
The setup looks normal to customers. At the counter, staff scoop toppings from bins to serve walk-in diners face-to-face.
But below the counter, hidden from view, Hyphen's robot glides bowls along a track, stopping under each bin so precise portions drop in for online or app orders.
The machines cannot roll burritos at Chipotle or assemble pita wraps at Cava, but they can quietly churn out a steady stream of burrito bowls, salads, and grain bowls without human hands.
Chipotle has not revealed how these robots could change the way it operates. However, Cava confirmed they will not impact wages or employee hiring.
