Via iStockphoto / @bigmama9kidss TikTok
A West Coast woman documented how she scores fresh white rice without cilantro for her burrito bowl at Chipotle.
Rice is the base of many Chipotle meals. It’s usually the first thing customers point to when loading up their bowls, burritos, and tacos. One woman shocked Chipotle customers by doing something unheard of—she not only asked for “fresh rice,” but she also customized it.
In her clip, West Coast TikToker Moya (@bigmama9kidss) stands behind the rice station at Chipotle. She films a male employee as he prepares two bowls. “I want rice from back there. I want fresh white, no green,” she tells a male employee. “Both of them.”
The workers oblige her demands.
“So, I always get plain white rice when I order my Chipotle bowl,” she says. “I like for my rice to be real fresh.”
When a worker returns with the bowls, she asks, “Can I get extra rice on both, please? Thank you.”
The rest of her bowls consist of pinto beans, extra chicken, sour cream, lettuce, cheese, and queso.
Moya rounds off her transaction with two large bags of the new Chili Lime tortilla chips.
Is Chipotle’s Plain Rice More ‘Fresh’?
Moya’s video amassed over 553,000 views, and many argued that her method doesn’t guarantee freshness.
“The ‘fresh’ rice you’re getting has been sitting in a hotbox for hours,” the top comment, with 10,000 likes, says.
“Rice is from the same big batch. They just haven’t mixed the cilantro and brought it upfront yet. It’s been sitting in the back as long as it has in the front,” a second stated.
“Chipotle worker here. Just because you ask for plain rice doesn’t mean it’s fresh. It’s just been sitting in a warmer for possibly hours,” a third echoed.
Because of the criticism, Moya corrected herself in the comments section, claiming she meant plain rice, not fresh. “Oh my gosh, I don’t like the green stuff. Goodness is not a big deal. Everybody’s taste buds are different. I said fresh instead of [plain] white rice,” she clarified.
Others were caught up on how Moya spoke to the workers.
“‘I want’ – is not polite,” one said.
“So where’s the please/thank you?” another questioned.
Can You Customize The Chipotle Rice?
It’s a little-known fact that customers can get plain rice at Chipotle. A former Chipotle worker told Business Insider that while it can be done, it may take some time.
It’s unnecessary to ask for your rice “fresh,” as Chipotle rice, by default, is fresh.
When Chipotle first opened in 1993, a top priority was serving fresh ingredients. The company prides itself on not using “freezers, can openers or shortcuts,” which seems to apply to its rice. Each location prepares these grains in-house every morning. According to the Mexican Grill’s website, the rice is steamed (or, for brown rice, simmered) with bay leaves, seasoned with lime and lemon juice, and tossed with cilantro to give it the signature flavor.
If you’re not a fan of cilantro, you can politely request rice without it.
BroBible reached out to Moya via Instagram and TikTok direct message. BroBible also reached out to Chipotle via press email.