Chipotle Yanks Carnitas Over Poor Pig Treatment
Carnitas are delightful. And at Chipotle, you can order them in a burrito, or a taco, or atop something with lettuce that menu-writers have cleverly disguised as a “salad.’’
But not today. And maybe not tomorrow.
The chain has yanked carnitas off its menu at hundreds of its locations after one supplier violated the company’s standards. The supplier in question did not meet Chipotle’s “responsibly raised’’ guidelines which regulate the well-being of the cute little pigs that eventually grow up to become delicious carnitas.
As the restaurant put it: “These are farmers whose pigs are raised outside or in deeply bedded pens, are never given antibiotics and are fed a vegetarian diet. It’s the way animals were raised before huge factory farms changed the industry. We believe pigs that are cared for in this way enjoy happier, healthier lives and produce the best pork we’ve ever tasted.’’
So in theory: Happy, healthy pigs = Tastier carnitas. Sounds right. And they do lookpretty pleased.
Chipotle spokesperson Chris Arnold told Boston.com by e-mail that the cease “impacted approximately one-third of our restaurants, and restaurants on the Boston area should not be affected at all.’’
But that does not seem to be the case.
We called the 13 Boston metro locations, and all confirmed they had stopped selling carnitas except the Kendall Square’s 2 Cambridge Center location which declined to comment. Locations that confirmed carnitas were off the menu said they stopped serving them on Saturday.
When carnitas will return to Chipotle is unclear (Davis Square said Jan. 23, but a request to Chipotle’s corporate office for confirmation has not be returned), but Arnold told Boston.com those locations “should be restocked tomorrow or possibly the next day.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com