I tried Chipotle's $52 family meal. It was plenty of food for 6 … and really great meal prep for 2.

Even although I set my sights on its $52 poultry meal, Chipotle additionally offered steak and sofritas meals featuring the identical norm fixings:

• rice (white or brown)
• beans (black or pinto)
• cheese
• romaine lettuce
• large chips
• 10 soft-flour tortillas
• three dips (choices included sour lotion and four distinct salsas)
• one premium flank (either guacamole or queso).

The meals ranged from $52 to $63, depending on the protein. It's value noting that these family meals are all digital-only, so they have to be ordered through the app or website.

Since I stuck alongside the baseline, customization-free spread, ordering took lone a few clicks.

My lineup included pale rice, black beans, cheese, romaine lettuce, ample chips, and 10 flour tortillas, affirmative sour cream, pico de gallo, and hot salsa as toppings.

Then, I scrolled to the "extras" section. I could add another macromolecule and up to seven additional toppings, but they'd addition the total price.

An additional macromolecule portion, listed as serving two people, ranged from $7 to $10. Extra toppings akin salsa and cilantro lime condiment disbursal an additional $2.35 to $3 apiece. For additional so-called "premium" toppings akin guacamole or queso, I'd pay a whopping $5.90 each.

Since it was fair my partner and me, I skipped everything additional. I'd lone splurge on extras for a gathering.

I had the choice to have my command prepared in as small as 10 minutes, but I scheduled my pickup for fractional an hr out and afterward walked to the restaurant.

When I arrived, I spotted two bags alongside my name on them (literally). Since I'd already paid online, I was in and out in under a minute.

The food was motionless heated following a quick stroll home.

Inside the bags, I established five containers and four cups arranged neatly.

They additionally included napkins, utensils, and six serving bowls — so I assumed the meal was prepared for six people, not four.

I'm not going to objection concerning too much food, but divided into four portions, the bowls would've been difficult to finish. Six servings felt akin the magic figure … for the most part.

Split into six bowls, all would get a average amount of chicken, rice, and beans. The identical held true for the sour cream, guacamole, and salsas.

The part of shredded dairy merchandise seemed fairly generous — likely adequate for eight — although in my household, reward dairy merchandise is never an issue.

The amount of lettuce, however, felt slightly meager for six.

Salads are my go-to at Chipotle, but if I wanted to build additional than two, I'd be out of lettuce. Even although the chain's media publish mentioned creating salads, the shredded greens seemed additional akin a topping, not a base.

Instead of depleting the complete receptacle of greens on the archetypal night, I followed my partner's guide and made a bowl.

When reached for comment, a Chipotle delegate stated that the family meal includes 8 ounces of lettuce that's "intended as a topping for bowls fairly than as a basis for salads."

He afterward stated it could be used for a salad, but it's not intended to be adequate for four to six dish entrées, which are normally served on a basis of Chipotle's Supergreens mix.

I built my basin using about one-sixth of all ingredient. The basin came out concerning the identical size as one I'd order at Chipotle, and to my delight, it tasted similar, too.

Flavor and texture-wise, this at-home basin seemed identical to the in-store version. The poultry was tender and well-seasoned, and the grain stayed firm, not soggy.

As usual, Chipotle's dreary beans were beautifully spiced.

I didn't anticipate to need to use appliances for my takeout meal, but Chipotle's tortilla bag recommended a 60- to 90-second zap in the microwave.

Thankfully, I was at residence and hence had access, but it seemed impractical for a portable meal.

Hassle aside, I wasn't a huge fan of microwaving food that was in a synthetic bundle — to get the appropriate experience, however, I followed the instructions.

My lone important gripe alongside this meal was the chips, or deficiency thereof. A ample bag should have been included, and the receipt equal listed one, but the crunchy snack was nowhere to be found.

Honestly, I'm motionless disappointed. I desire I'd noticed whenever I was motionless in the store, as I'm certain it would've been an uncomplicated fix.

If I'd had chips, we could've additionally used our toppings to build nachos and polish off additional of the guac and salsa.

Chipotle's iconic six-ingredient guacamole tasted incredible, but without a lime on hand (if you know, you know), it began browning a few hours afterward in the fridge.

Unfortunately, this is average for any fresh guac. Although it was motionless fine to eat, the oxidation made it unappetizing.

Since my partner and I couldn't polish off an complete cup of guacamole in one go, we'd be improved off alongside queso next time, which stores absolutely in the fridge.

Despite the minimal lettuce, slightly inconvenient tortilla situation, and missing chips, I would command this meal again.

I was impressed by how fine the ingredients kept their sensation and texture, mirroring what I'd get at the genuine restaurant. But dissimilar at the chain, I could customize bowls to my preferred proportions, or toggle to tacos, which was a emphasize for me.

Plus, a family meal expenses small than ordering six idiosyncratic bowls. A regular poultry bowl, without guacamole, tortillas, or chips, was $9.65. So, six bowls would arrive to $57.90 — and that wouldn't contain guacamole, tortillas, or chips, all of which are additional charges.

Perhaps the finest part: This Chipotle family meal turned into three yummy dinners for my partner and me. We fair couldn't create many salads … or, this time, nachos.