Chipotle Quesadilla Review: I Tasted The New Online-only Menu Item ...

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chipotle’s elusive quesadilla is going from the secret menu to the regular menu, but there’s still a catch.

Starting Thursday, the fast-casual chain’s new Hand-Crafted Quesadilla will be available as a digital-only item, meaning you can only order it online or in an app and not in person at the restaurant. The move makes sense-- who wants to the person behind the guy waiting on a quesadilla, which are pressed to order on a new custom oven.

“We’re so excited to answer the call from fans and introduce one of the most highly anticipated menu items in our brand’s history,” said Chipotle chief marketing officer Chris Brandt in a release. “The Hand-Crafted Quesadilla brings so many new possibilities to our menu, and fans will love exploring fresh flavor combinations through its sides and salsa options.”

The quesadilla’s arrival is significant. Chipotle is notoriously reluctant about making major changes to its menu. While the chain has introduced new proteins, toppings and sides here and there over time, this marks the first time in 17 years Chipotle has added a new entree option.

You can thank your neighbors in part for that. Chipotle tested the quesadilla in Cleveland and Indianapolis last year, perfecting the recipe before deciding to release it in the rest of the country. But was it worth the wait? Chipotle sent me one to taste and review.

Note: The quesadilla doesn’t launch nationally until Thursday, but some Cleveland-area locations are already serving them.

The details

Chipotle’s quesadilla is pretty standard: melted Monterey Jack Cheese and your choice of protein on a tortilla that’s grilled, folded and cut into two triangles. Protein choices include chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa, sofritas and fajita veggies. The entree comes in a box with three slats that you can fill with salsa or sour cream for dipping or a side like rice or beans. Guac and queso are options, too, but they’re extra, of course. The price varies depending on your protein choice and range from $7.60 to $8.60.

Taste test

I opted for the chicken quesadilla with tomato salsa, sour cream and guac as my three sides. As you can see from the photo above, the new entree passes the Instagram vs. reality test unlike my experiences with McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich and Wendy’s Breakfast Baconator.

Instead of repurposing the same press used to warm its tortillas, Chipotle invested in new ovens to make the quesadillas. The difference showed immediately as mine had a nice, even char. Biting into it, the texture was crispy and flaky in just the right amounts. In its typical form, Chipotle’s shredded Monterey Jack cheese is fine, but not really memorable. Melting it, however, reveals a rich, creamy and surprisingly flavorful product. The quesadilla’s simplicity gives the well-seasoned chicken, an underappreciated flavor often lost in an overstuffed burrito, a chance to shine. Topping the quesadilla with a spoonful of salsa or dipping it in the guac enhanced the taste even more. The only thing the sour cream added was guilt.

The verdict

Truth be told, I don’t eat at Chipotle that often. While the chain uses premium ingredients that are generally tasty (the queso being the notable exception), something inexplicable happens when you pile them on in a huge bowl or stuff them into a giant burrito. Less is more, I suppose. And when it comes down to it, the Hand-Crafted Quesadilla is essentially Chipotle’s version of a grilled cheese sandwich. I can’t think of any better compliment than that.

Try one for yourself

Chipotle is offering free delivery (with $10 minimum purchase) starting March 11 through March 21 when you order a quesadilla on the Chipotle app or Chipotle.com.