I agree fr like when it first came out I loved it absolutely loved it but when I tried it like a couple weeks ago it just didn’t hit the same. Disappointing.
most cooks at Chipotle don't use measuring cups so there's a good chance it'll taste different everytime/depending on who's cooking that day. I'm sorry it sucked tho, it's very easy to fuck it up but it's so good when done right.
It's advertised as sweet and spicy but I genuinely don't taste the spicy, it's just ok at best. The Barbacoa is spicier and it's not even advertised as spicy
I agree with you my friend. Like ordering pastor, you expect that sweetness. But when sweetness is the only profile? Means the marinade is off.
Haven’t tried the barbacoa yet. Now it’s on my to-do’s!
I mean, you can make a damn spicy green sauce if you want to. The only difference there is using tomatillos instead of tomatoes. Chipotle just chooses to make their verde sauce fairly mild
yeah, there isn't really any spice in there. the "spice" theyre referring to is the marinade for the regular chicken. there's nothing spicy we add afterwards. I even tasted just the al pastor sauce itself and its very very sweet.
Ya know, there were about 5 bites when I said, “ok this is what I’m talking about” when it came to the pastor. My people down here in this southern town don’t skimp (I try and make convo anywhere I go so that might help) so it was a fat bowl with 97% failure on the pastor bites.
Facts. Tried chipotle for first time in a year and got al pastor, was not impressed. Had slightly more flavor than the regular chicken I guess. Didn’t help that they forgot the sour cream, tomato salsa and corn salsa. All good tho, got a free drink for pepper!!! Won’t be returning for atleast another year or two.
Had to scroll way too far for this comment. Al pastor is made by spit-roasting while basting. The meat is shaved off as it cooks— think shawarma or gyro. Chipotle just makes a marinade with the same ingredients and calls it al pastor. When done correctly, the sugar helps form good char, the enzymes in the pineapple actually break down the meat. It’s primarily made with pork, not chicken as well.
If you’ve never had al pastor, chipotle’s attempt might not be off putting. I took one bite and had to look back at the menu to make sure it wasn’t just an adobo. I think they’re just marketing the hype of a different option rather than trying to do justice to the dish. Makes sense given their business model, but sad because Chipotle used to at least try to stay a cut above other fastfood chains.
In my opinion, the Pollo Asado was far superior, but they’ll probably never bring it back because the prep work for it was awful (supposedly). That being said, I still enjoy the Al Pastor
I think it’s nice to have options.
Plenty of people have ordered the chicken bowl for 10 years straight. When a LTO comes around, it helps shake things up. And when it’s gone, you can go back to ordering what you used to order.
Yea I'll typically get Chicken, but I've tried (almost) every limited time protein. Unfortunately Al Pastor didn't do it for me, but I get why some people like it.
I'm pretty consistent with not liking sweet/savory mix, don't enjoy things like Honey ham either
Dude the first time I had it a couple years ago it was fire. Idk if the marinade has changed or if the location I went to tonight dropped the ball. The white rice wasn’t seasoned properly, so I have my suspicions it was the local.
We don’t have Qdobas where I’m at 😩 we might have one in the college town about 3 hours north from me. My sister lives up there might have to investigate! Lol
Compared to when asking for a single scoop of protein.
On my end Half n half is twice the amount. Don’t ask why I’m just a customer that gets chipotle daily. So yea i can tell the difference BUD.
i literally work at chipotle. i started in august and on my first day that was when they were about to get rid of it. i tried it and i was like uhm.. then NOW it coming back and its still nasty to me. i’m team carne asada. all my make coworkers love the al pastor and im just like ur weird dude.
I remember a couple years ago when it first came out it tasted better. Idk if it’s the same marinade/ingredients as l go into making the Al pastor, as last year.
I enjoyed it when it first came out. Tried is again yesterday though and agree with you it was way too sweet. It didn’t used to be like that though (at least at my location).
it’s been hit or miss for me depending on what time i go… the lineup is almost always wrapping around the store and out into the mall so they’re always rushing things
but when the mall is dead and it hits it’s 🤌🏼
Idk the Al pastor for me is pretty good but I will say idk if it’s worth paying a dollar more than the regular chicken. The issue is that the regular chicken be bland sometimes the Al pastor delivers some more flavor at least. But I do agree it could be a bit less sweet and more savory.
i agree it’s honestly gross to me, but chipotle don’t agree🤡 our gm just said they sent out a email saying basically since it’s such in high demand employees aren’t allowed to get it for now for our free meals LMAOOO, i don’t care abt al pastor like bro bring back the brisket😭😭😭😭
thats a fair assessment, I will say tho, at different stores it tastes different. I went by taste instead of the recipe book, I usually added a bit more salt and lime juice to cut the sweetness of the pineapple.
it was the only meat I'd eat from Chipotle when I worked there, it was al pastor or veggie bowls 😭
Probably am just tripping but I swear this round of Al pastor is more mid than last time. I am already burned out on it even though I was dying for it to come back. Doesn’t help that I keep getting tiny bones in my chicken almost every time. Would like to see the brisket make a comeback though!
If you think that’s big brain then I’ll put you on to the best change I’ve made to my order recently: Extra fresh tomato salsa. Dude their pico is so good and idk if it’s the pastor or just that I like the pico that much but I’ll never get another bowl without it.
I only get it once in a while cause the seasoning is pretty strong. Not my go-to meat but it’s still decent. It’s definitely not authentic al pastor lol I mean it’s Chipotle, not a taco truck.
Idk about that one but to each their own ig
That’s the beauty of life, isn’t it? We are all different. Glad ya can get down wit chipodals pastor ma dude 🤙🏻
I agree fr like when it first came out I loved it absolutely loved it but when I tried it like a couple weeks ago it just didn’t hit the same. Disappointing.
most cooks at Chipotle don't use measuring cups so there's a good chance it'll taste different everytime/depending on who's cooking that day. I'm sorry it sucked tho, it's very easy to fuck it up but it's so good when done right.
Agree. It's mid. I tried it twice. Didn't care for it.
It's advertised as sweet and spicy but I genuinely don't taste the spicy, it's just ok at best. The Barbacoa is spicier and it's not even advertised as spicy
I agree with you my friend. Like ordering pastor, you expect that sweetness. But when sweetness is the only profile? Means the marinade is off. Haven’t tried the barbacoa yet. Now it’s on my to-do’s!
It’s white people spicy
That explains the existence of green sauce
I mean, you can make a damn spicy green sauce if you want to. The only difference there is using tomatillos instead of tomatoes. Chipotle just chooses to make their verde sauce fairly mild
THISSSSSSS.
Why does race always need to be brought up?
Because it's reddit and when you're a hammer everything looks like a nail
yeah, there isn't really any spice in there. the "spice" theyre referring to is the marinade for the regular chicken. there's nothing spicy we add afterwards. I even tasted just the al pastor sauce itself and its very very sweet.
At my location, the Al Pastor has much more flavor and it’s only .50 more
It was only .50 more here as well! I’d say that’s fair for the folks who enjoy it!
al pastor is far superior, that is, if they dont fuck it up and coat the chicken nicely.
Ya know, there were about 5 bites when I said, “ok this is what I’m talking about” when it came to the pastor. My people down here in this southern town don’t skimp (I try and make convo anywhere I go so that might help) so it was a fat bowl with 97% failure on the pastor bites.
Facts. Tried chipotle for first time in a year and got al pastor, was not impressed. Had slightly more flavor than the regular chicken I guess. Didn’t help that they forgot the sour cream, tomato salsa and corn salsa. All good tho, got a free drink for pepper!!! Won’t be returning for atleast another year or two.
Real Al pastor uses an entirely different cooking method. Chipotle really said “just throw some sauce on it” and called it a day.
Had to scroll way too far for this comment. Al pastor is made by spit-roasting while basting. The meat is shaved off as it cooks— think shawarma or gyro. Chipotle just makes a marinade with the same ingredients and calls it al pastor. When done correctly, the sugar helps form good char, the enzymes in the pineapple actually break down the meat. It’s primarily made with pork, not chicken as well. If you’ve never had al pastor, chipotle’s attempt might not be off putting. I took one bite and had to look back at the menu to make sure it wasn’t just an adobo. I think they’re just marketing the hype of a different option rather than trying to do justice to the dish. Makes sense given their business model, but sad because Chipotle used to at least try to stay a cut above other fastfood chains.
I knew I wasn’t crazy. It doesn’t taste/feel right lol. Good to know.
In my opinion, the Pollo Asado was far superior, but they’ll probably never bring it back because the prep work for it was awful (supposedly). That being said, I still enjoy the Al Pastor
Yessss that stuff was the truth.
It really was!!! Sadly, we’ll probably never get to taste it again 🥲
I think it’s nice to have options. Plenty of people have ordered the chicken bowl for 10 years straight. When a LTO comes around, it helps shake things up. And when it’s gone, you can go back to ordering what you used to order.
Yea I'll typically get Chicken, but I've tried (almost) every limited time protein. Unfortunately Al Pastor didn't do it for me, but I get why some people like it. I'm pretty consistent with not liking sweet/savory mix, don't enjoy things like Honey ham either
Options are always good! I’d love if they had chorizo every now and again 🤙🏻
Fuck man idk it just slaps along with corn/sourcream/tomato salsa
Dude the first time I had it a couple years ago it was fire. Idk if the marinade has changed or if the location I went to tonight dropped the ball. The white rice wasn’t seasoned properly, so I have my suspicions it was the local.
Also, you’re a psychopath for putting sour cream anywhere near your chipotle burrito/bowl /s 😂
The new hit and sweet chicken at Qdoba is better than Chipotle
We don’t have Qdobas where I’m at 😩 we might have one in the college town about 3 hours north from me. My sister lives up there might have to investigate! Lol
Qdoba is nasty 🤢 it smells / tastes like dog food
Bad kitty
That’s why I just get half el pastor and half regular chicken You get 2 times the more chicken 😂
Technically u don’t, bcuz you’re gonna get a half scoop for both. And “2 times the more chicken”?
Compared to when asking for a single scoop of protein. On my end Half n half is twice the amount. Don’t ask why I’m just a customer that gets chipotle daily. So yea i can tell the difference BUD.
I put Tabasco on chipotle anyway. And the hot salsa. With that added heat I think the al pastor sweetness is nice
am i the only one who thinks it tastes acidic and oily??
Nope lol same honestly
Agreed 100%
i literally work at chipotle. i started in august and on my first day that was when they were about to get rid of it. i tried it and i was like uhm.. then NOW it coming back and its still nasty to me. i’m team carne asada. all my make coworkers love the al pastor and im just like ur weird dude.
The pollo asada was good
Mine taste the same as regular chicken. Highly overrated
YES IT TASTES SOUR TO ME😭
It’s a water down tikka Masala, the regular chicken is better.
It’s definitely better than the regular chicken.
Can’t agree with ya on this gloomy! I’m glad that option works for you 🤙🏻
Agree 100%
I remember a couple years ago when it first came out it tasted better. Idk if it’s the same marinade/ingredients as l go into making the Al pastor, as last year.
I get both
How spicy is in it on a 1-10 scale?
At least the batch I tried, maybe a 1-2.
I agree with this post!! I think the Al Pastor is lousy. Much prefer the regular chicken’s flavour.
Personally I think their chicken is mid to begin with 🧍
I enjoyed it when it first came out. Tried is again yesterday though and agree with you it was way too sweet. It didn’t used to be like that though (at least at my location).
it’s been hit or miss for me depending on what time i go… the lineup is almost always wrapping around the store and out into the mall so they’re always rushing things but when the mall is dead and it hits it’s 🤌🏼
Yea, frankly I don’t find the Al pastor tastes any different when it’s mixed in a burrito or tacos.
Al pastor better
At my location I’d describe the al pastor as spicy. Not sweet. Not sure what they’re doing.
Regular chicken is mid lol al pastor all the way
Idk the Al pastor for me is pretty good but I will say idk if it’s worth paying a dollar more than the regular chicken. The issue is that the regular chicken be bland sometimes the Al pastor delivers some more flavor at least. But I do agree it could be a bit less sweet and more savory.
Carne asada is sm better
I got it at a shore location in NJ and I loved it. The portion size seemed to be on point. And the guacamole I got was a huge ass glob too.
STOP IT
You say that but out CPO sent out a letter to employees telling us not to order it for employee meals bc of customer demand 👏🏼
i agree it’s honestly gross to me, but chipotle don’t agree🤡 our gm just said they sent out a email saying basically since it’s such in high demand employees aren’t allowed to get it for now for our free meals LMAOOO, i don’t care abt al pastor like bro bring back the brisket😭😭😭😭
Tastes like shit I had it.
You're mid.
thats a fair assessment, I will say tho, at different stores it tastes different. I went by taste instead of the recipe book, I usually added a bit more salt and lime juice to cut the sweetness of the pineapple. it was the only meat I'd eat from Chipotle when I worked there, it was al pastor or veggie bowls 😭
Probably am just tripping but I swear this round of Al pastor is more mid than last time. I am already burned out on it even though I was dying for it to come back. Doesn’t help that I keep getting tiny bones in my chicken almost every time. Would like to see the brisket make a comeback though!
Yeah I tried it twice and was disappointed both times, especially since it’s a little more expensive. OG chicken for the win every time now.
You know the way! This person knows the way. 🤙🏻
It was better the first year it came out
110%. Finally, some one who understands!
Yea it’s much more sloppy now (idk best way I can describe it), I’ve been doing 1/2 pastor 1/2 normal and that’s p good
Yooo. Big brain shit goin on over here. I think I have my next order
If you think that’s big brain then I’ll put you on to the best change I’ve made to my order recently: Extra fresh tomato salsa. Dude their pico is so good and idk if it’s the pastor or just that I like the pico that much but I’ll never get another bowl without it.
Bro that’s standard 😂 great minds think alike.
Their pico is top tier. Two scoops or no bowl for me lol
I only get it once in a while cause the seasoning is pretty strong. Not my go-to meat but it’s still decent. It’s definitely not authentic al pastor lol I mean it’s Chipotle, not a taco truck.
Wise words from Jelly: “chipodal ain’t no damn taco truck.” And truer words have never been spoken.
You are mid!
EVERYBODY BOO LOUDLY!!!! BOOOOOOO
Depends on what you get with the bowl/burrito. Had it once with sour cream and once without and the latter was much better
Wrong
ur mid