Chipotle is adding a second steak option to its menu, and we gave it a taste test

In recent months, fast food companies have been making headlines for their new meatless dishes. Chipotle, on the other hand, is adding another meaty choice to its menu. The fast-casual chain will be introducing carne asada, its second steak option, to locations nationwide on Thursday, Sept. 19, but only for a limited time.

Photo: Courtesy of Chipotle Mexican Grill

The carne asada is seasoned with signature spices, fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. But while you might be wondering how it differs from the original steak option, it's mostly in the cut of meat used. Carne asada uses a more premium cut of meat, making it more tender, and it's sliced in small strips rather than cubes. Plus, it was made to be Whole30 and paleo diet compliant.

"There are very few options [that work with the Whole30 and paleo diets], especially ones that taste good, and so now having something that you're able to change up, so you're not eating the same thing every day, [can help] you stay on those diets," said Stephanie Perdue, vice president of marketing at Chipotle.

The chain's carnitas is currently its only Whole30-compliant option, while the barbacoa is paleo-compliant.

We were invited to give Chipotle's carne asada an early taste test, and we'll admit, it's not a new menu option we thought we needed, but we did appreciate it! There's no denying that the carne asada was much more tender than the original steak, but mixed into a burrito bowl with salsa and guacamole, it didn't taste much different. The tenderness alone, however, would make us order it again.

According to Perdue, chicken is the most popular meat ordered by customers at Chipotle, followed by steak. Nonetheless, being that Chipotle is a Mexican chain, having carne asada—a more traditional and popular dish in Mexico—on the menu seems like a natural next step. Before it's launch, the carne asada was tested in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fresno, California.

“Our Carne Asada steak is amazingly tender, hand cut and grilled fresh every day. It performed incredibly well in the test markets and we’re excited to be introducing this terrific, new steak nationwide for a limited time,” Chris Brandt, the chief marketing officer of Chipotle, said in a press release.

For those who are interested in giving the carne asada a try, but don't want to leave their house, Chipotle is offering free delivery on the remaining Sundays in September on orders over $10.

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