A Chipotle worker rang up a smoked brisket bowl with extra meat for $26.25 and told customers to ‘think twice’ before ordering it

Chipotle has brought back smoked brisket to its menu. For a limited time, from November 5 to November 18, customers can try the brisket as a protein option. However, one Chipotle employee is advising diners to “think twice” before jumping in.

According to a press release, Chipotle reintroduced smoked brisket throughout the U.S. and Canada just in time for football season. The chain describes the brisket as “seasoned with spices including smoked serrano and chipotle chili peppers, then smoked over mesquite wood to develop its deep, smoky flavor.” Chipotle’s regular protein options include chicken, steak, barbacoa, carnitas, sofritas, or just veggies.

But one employee is warning customers about the price. TikTok user Lupe Garcia (@lupegarcia7) shared an eight-second video showing a point-of-sale screen at a Chipotle location. In the overlay text, Garcia tells diners to “think twice” about getting extra brisket. The video shows a brisket bowl costs $15.20, and adding extra brisket increases the price by $8.45, bringing the total to $26.25 for a single bowl after taxes. As of publication, Chipotle has not responded to the video.

Some commenters say beef prices are to blame

Many commenters were stunned by the high prices, but some argued that Chipotle may not be engaging in price gouging. Instead, they said the steep cost of brisket could reflect the current high price of beef. “As a man who manages a local bbq joint i actually feel so bad when people come in for lunch and [their] meal cost $29 because beef prices are literally SO BAD,” shared a commenter.

Chipotle also points to its meat standards. The company says only about 5% of American beef meets its animal welfare and quality requirements, and that preparing brisket takes much longer than preparing other meats. Beef prices have also risen over the past year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, beef and veal prices have increased by 3.5% over the past year, partly because of a limited cattle supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that the country started this year with 300,000 fewer cattle than the previous year.

Chipotle has also reported revenue growth over the past year, according to Zacks Investment Research. The smoked brisket appears to be a hit with fans: when the item debuted in September 2021, the company said it sold out sooner than expected, according to NRN.

Not everyone is ordering the double portion, though. In the comments section of Garcia’s video, many say the high price of smoked brisket is leading to awkward moments at the counter. “I’ve been telling everyone who asks for double that an extra portion cost like 8$ and only one person has followed through getting it,” said a user. “Told a dude his double brisket is like 23 bucks and he … near[ly] leapt the counter,” recalled another.