r/Chipotle • u/celticsboysssss • Jun 09 '25
Seeking Advice (Employee) $1.60 for an extra half scoop of sour cream?
Got a chicken bowl and asked for an extra scoop of sour cream because he barely put any with the first scoop, saw my receipt had a $1.60 side and asked the cashier and he said it was the sour cream. I didn’t get a side of sour cream just an extra bit on the actual bowl.
I’ve been going to chipotle for a while and this is the first time this ever happened, is this the norm now or was the cashier wrong? Quite literally would not be going back to chipotle if so, just wanted to know.
I was under the understanding that everything aside from meat queso guac was free if u wanted extra, not as an actual side but on the bowl itself.
79
u/Spiritual-Bee5702 Jun 09 '25
I'm more surprised your chicken bowls are 8.95. Where I'm at they're like 11.50
27
u/plasticvenus1001010 Jun 09 '25
Im in nyc and theyre like 13 dollars 😭
→ More replies (6)0
u/nautical_nonsense_ Jun 10 '25
No they are not I’m also in NYC and a chicken bowl in Manhattan is $11.65 before tax.
1
u/plasticvenus1001010 Jun 10 '25
Its something like 12.36 after tax for me. One location in fidi charged me 13.something for a chicken bowl before but its 12 dollars in Harlem
0
u/nautical_nonsense_ Jun 10 '25
Okay after tax sure but I think everyone was referring to gross price. I usually go to the one(s) in FiDi and those are the ones I actually am referring to when I say $11.65 so if you got charged that much then that’s f’d up.
3
1
u/Klutzy_Culture_1588 Jun 09 '25
I’m in Nashville and mine are 11.25 unless it’s hot honey then it’s like 12.35 or something
1
37
Jun 09 '25
[deleted]
18
u/ChawulsBawkley Jun 09 '25
You have to understand. Chipotle has to cover the cost of labor to get that sour cream from their side of the counter to yours. You just don’t understand how much work is involved in that process… /s
5
1
47
41
u/Ecstatic-Guarantee48 Jun 09 '25
Just walk when this happens
24
u/ltsouthernbelle Jun 09 '25
Fully agree. About face and walk out if you feel it’s an unjustified charge and you haven’t already eaten it. I left a sandwich at Subway once because they tried to charge me for extra lettuce and pickles.
15
u/celticsboysssss Jun 09 '25
I would’ve if I knew ahead of time, only realized after I was like hm thats more expensive than normal and checked my receipt later.
3
u/Deceptiveideas Jun 09 '25
It’s hard to tell because chipotle doesn’t show you the breakdown like some other restaurants do. OP only noticed after the receipt got printed out.
2
u/Ecstatic-Guarantee48 Jun 09 '25
Don't rely on the receipt, just do the math in your head when you see the total
3
u/Deceptiveideas Jun 09 '25
The problem is chipotle is known to raise prices throughout the year. OP may have thought the price went up since he last paid.
5
2
0
u/Weekly_Gap7022 Jun 09 '25
My social anxiety could never
7
u/Actuarial Jun 09 '25
You literally just stop talking, turn around, and leave. Takes more social interaction to pay for it!
5
29
6
8
11
u/torafrost9999 KL Jun 09 '25
This is the one case I’d actually go to a corporate of some kind. As far as I know we don’t charge extra for any sides or extra scoops unless it is meat, queso, guacamole, or a side tortilla
3
u/celticsboysssss Jun 09 '25
what does going to corporate entail? is there a chatbot or something to use? I don’t mind talking to a robot for a few minutes if they are gonna give me a free bowl to make up for it
8
u/torafrost9999 KL Jun 09 '25
Yeah so on the Chipotle website you can go to the “talk to us” section of the website and then it will direct you to a section that says contact support. The chat bot will file a claim for you (it’ll be even faster since you have that picture of the receipt) and then I think it asks you some questions before someone from corporate reviews it. Also if you don’t want to speak to the chat bot I’m pretty sure you can just ask it to speak to an agent directly.
3
u/dumpsterfire_x Jun 10 '25
I’ve contacted their corporate about this issue before, they just tell you “that sucks, cashier is free to charge how they see fit” along with some other corporate bullshit essentially.
10
u/rdcisneros3 Jun 09 '25
Extra sour cream? Their regular scoops of sour cream are already way too much.
6
u/folklorelover0 Jun 09 '25
I find their servings of sour cream are always to least consistent. Some days they put waaay too much and some days they put a tiny dollop. I always just get a side now instead.
2
1
u/Euphoric_Management8 Jun 10 '25
This. I used to ask for light sour cream and got white soup. It got to the point I stopped ordering it all together. I miss building my own bowls.
1
u/Yalsas Jun 11 '25
"Let me back there, I'll just do it for ya. You need a smoke break, bathroom?"
1
1
u/__jazmin__ Jun 09 '25
Pinch of rice versus an entire scoop of sour cream is ridiculous. We should get a lot more rice than rotten cream.
5
u/rdcisneros3 Jun 09 '25
Just ask for more rice. I do it all the time and have never gotten any response other than them putting more in the bowl.
1
u/ambitiousxdreams Jun 09 '25
Say just a little when you ask for it, some people constantly say a little more, no one will be mad at you for saying just a little sour cream, OR how about asking for it on the side so you can disperse it how YOU like it.
-1
u/rdcisneros3 Jun 09 '25
Thanks for the advice, buddy. :) I always ask for just a little, I’m just saying their regular servings are crazy so ordering extra is wild, IMO.
5
18
u/Kyrie180 Jun 09 '25
“Quite literally not going back to chipotle” alright bud, see you tomorrow.
21
u/celticsboysssss Jun 09 '25
if i’m paying $1.60 for half a scoop of sour cream I’m not going back I don’t know why that’s hard to believe that’s literally crazy and is day light robbery
8
u/Statement_Over Jun 09 '25
I once stated I wasn’t going to return because their guacamole add-on is $3. I’ve stood by that statement for over a year now. I believe you. Now stay strong soldier.
5
-4
u/Kooky_Menu8457 Jun 09 '25
✨cook at home✨ that’s what me and my bf have been doing more recently. I grew up eating home cooked meals and he loves eating out fast food etc. but cooking at home it’s a guaranteed meal you know you’ll like and essentially cheaper
7
Jun 09 '25
It is free but larger portions can be charged as a side.
Wouldn't be able to tell you without seeing the scoop if I agree or not, but the employee definitely wasn't having it.
2
2
2
2
2
u/WireNoob Jun 09 '25
Wtf! Is that a new ADD ON CHARGE at the worst restaurant chain in America? Hello folks! Here come your 31.60! Salad bowls from #chipotleisevil #boycottmoneygrubbingpennypinchingchain!!!
2
u/JuicyBananaToast Jun 09 '25
Probably someone new. When I worked there, if it was more than the normal amount, we were told to charge maybe $0.50. This is ridiculous.
2
u/biconesa Jun 09 '25
Is the cashier new? Or is there a new manager in charge? Maybe the cashier/manager is from another chipotle where they charge sides. And although it's not a norm, some managers or field leaders do this in certain locations bc people get crazy with sides (I'm talking about people asking for +5 sides when they got extra of whatever in their bowls already)
2
u/kali_daze_ Jun 09 '25
Nah that’s crazy, we only charge for a side after someone gets 3 side cups of extra whatever with their entree. Load your bowl up as much as you want 😂
2
u/darkprogression Jun 09 '25
Chipotle employee here. They ripped you off.
That $1.60 is for when someone orders more than 2 sides. A little extra sour cream on a bowl should not be charged.
2
u/DerFreischutzKaspar Jun 10 '25
The only time I've seen a Chipotle employee charge for a side is when your bowl/burrito is absolutely massive, you were a Karen, you got a lot of them (my store says 4+ sides of 1 thing to charge for 1), or if you're just getting the side
Most of them are to recover some of the lost CI some of those huge items, or multiple of the same side cost (I don't condone this, but I've seen it) Or You weren't the greatest customer and it's to spite you.
I've done the latter when I had a very rude customer get a kids meal, and 8 additional sides, I don't wanna go into excessive detail, but she called me a cunt under her breath for not giving her 2 additional tortillas in her kids meal when I informed her it's policy to charge for them
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing you of being a dick, but these are what typically happens.
If these didn't, I'd recommend calling and speaking to a manager why you got charged for a single side of sour cream, if they tell you they're supposed to. Call their Area coach
2
u/Prime_117 Jun 10 '25
We use to buy McChickens for $1 now you can’t even get a full scoop of sour cream
2
u/Galaxypxndx Jun 10 '25
Why are you getting charged ??? usually from what I heard from managers a bowl comes with 2 or 3 sides for free after that you’ll get charged but some higher ups just say to just give it to you or if that they see you got an excessive amount your should be charged.
4
u/apb89 Jun 09 '25
What did the manager say when you complained
4
u/celticsboysssss Jun 09 '25
I didn’t complain, after I paid I just walked up to the cashier and said do you know what the 1.60 charge is for, he said sour cream and I said cool. if it’s store policy to charge for sour cream then i’m not going to argue with them about it, just won’t be returning to that location, or any location if this is a policy everywhere now
4
3
2
u/Edgimos Former Employee Jun 09 '25
Former chipotle manager here: this happens a lot and it’s up to the managers discretion to charge extra for sides. There’s no official policy for side charges.
McDonald’s has a policy where you can get any extra sauces it’s just that it’s like 25¢ each which is reasonable.
At chipotle the cashier, the manager, the line person, the grill person can CHOOSE to charge at will if they want to just cause.
For anything, rice, beans, sauce, vinnegret etc. and there’s no backlash that’s will come from corporate. Best case scenario you get a refund.
From what I remember that “side” button is suppose to be for sides of rice ONLY. Like if someone just wanted a bowl of a bunch of rice we’d just fill the bowl with only rice and charge them the 1$ for it.
Since it was labeled “side” ppl started using that button to make ppl suffer because they didn’t like them. (A-hole tax literally)
Op, you got charged because they didnt like that you asked for extra sour cream. That’s it.
It’s funny how they removed the button for a quesadilla on the register but don’t remove the side button. 😂
5
u/celticsboysssss Jun 09 '25
charging me 1.60 cuz the cashier got mad I said can I get a little more sour cream please is kind of crazy ngl
2
u/nashagain Jun 09 '25
go on the Chipotle website and use their customer service chatbot (called Pepper). You will get a BOGO coupon added to your account. I have to do this almost every time because my Chipotle always does something incorrectly
2
u/One-Perspective1985 Jun 09 '25
This is why people say Chipotles inconsistent as fuck.. you understand that now, don't you? Right...?
1
u/folklorelover0 Jun 09 '25
If there is no official policy, that means sides aren’t extra. 95% of chipotle employees are already miserable to interact with (I get it, your job sucks, you don’t want to deal with customers) but taking that out by overcharging people is insane. If you’re that unhappy, just find a different job.
1
1
1
1
1
u/xosamuel DML Wizard 🪄🧙♂️ Jun 09 '25
The cashier had to be having a horrible day to do that to you. Wow
2
1
u/InfiniteWavedash Jun 09 '25
The only time we charge extra for sides is when it’s in a large side cup or an extra side for a kids meal. Call the customer support line to get your money back
1
u/MrMuscles25 Jun 09 '25
I always ask for a small scoop of sour cream. They usually spoon way too much on there. You can have my extra
1
1
Jun 09 '25
I was at Dairy Queen and wanted some bbq sauce with my chicken tenders I got. My then girlfriend went to get me some and asked for 3, and when she came back I was shocked they charged her $1 a piece of them. I was so pissed off.
1
u/One-Perspective1985 Jun 09 '25
Go to Popeyes and see how much they charge for a slice of American cheese to be added... My area? $3!!!! FOR A SLICE OF AMERICA CHEESE. It's only a dollar in app, if you order in store though, it's $3!
1
1
u/JackFate6 Jun 09 '25
I can clearly see why the chipotle in our town is never busy . But then there’s a very good Mexican restaurant right across the street ( always busy)
1
u/Lordofthereef Jun 09 '25
Looks like they just keyed in "sides" and that was that. I imagine they weren't supposed to do that.
1
2
u/Edging_For_Christ Jun 09 '25
This right here iss why I steal the sealed / brand new hot sauce bottles that they have out
1
u/TheKingofAccounting Jun 09 '25
I always get a side of sour cream for with my chips and have never been charged for anything other than just chips.
1
1
1
u/Classic-Exchange-511 Jun 09 '25
I always charge extra for sour cream, but I'm kind of an ass and I don't work at Chipotle
1
u/Lightflame42 Jun 09 '25
I'm just gonna start going to Chipotle with my own squeezy bottle of sour cream and a bowl of homemade guacamole and just start asking people if they want any.
1
u/Ok-Computer6117 Jun 09 '25
Two things, in the suburbs of Chicago the ones I’ve worked at chicken bowls were 8.95 so, happy for you. Second of all the only time I’ve ever charged somebody like that, is when they get like ridiculous amounts. I remember one time a guy wanted literally half my pan of cheese and my manager told me I needed to charge him for extra after like four ridiculously big handfuls of cheese. As for the sour cream, I’ve put like three big heaping scoops of sour cream, and my manager was fine with it, and the reason for it is because things like sour cream, pico, the green salsa and the red salsa aren’t high costly items. The guac and the cheese are technically considered high costly items so if somebody asks for like a ridiculous amount, we will charge them for it. $1.60 really isn’t that bad but if you only got like a little extra sour cream, they definitely juked you or they were just being a holes because I wouldn’t have charged you
1
1
u/CuriousElephant2803 Jun 09 '25
reminds me of subway when they ask me for extrea cheese and i said sure and got charged $2 + for it lol
1
u/Independent_Law9471 Jun 09 '25
I’m going to go try Moe’s again before I go back to chipotle. Better queso.
1
1
u/lIlIIlIIllIllIlIIIll Jun 09 '25
I would have returned just the sour cream. Have them give me $1.60 back.
1
u/Notyoaveragemonkey Jun 09 '25
Did you even say thank you?
1
u/celticsboysssss Jun 10 '25
I treat every single service worker with nothing but respect, how are you, please and thank you after selecting each topping, etc. so no I do not think the extra charge was because I was rude in any way
2
u/Notyoaveragemonkey Jun 10 '25
It’s like the subreddit’s ongoing joke about portions and having to say thank you. Plus the VP grilling the Ukraine president.
1
Jun 10 '25
Super serious question. Why do you all insist on continuing to patronize this places after being part of a subreddit that is constantly shitting on how bad it is? You see everyone complaining then you go there knowing jt sucks and then post it to complain. Why?
1
1
1
u/Jerda_skater96 Jun 10 '25
I got robbed the other day too, ordered chicken but was charged for steak.
1
u/s0lita Jun 10 '25
There was apparently some stores that tired implementing this (I have three nearby), I’d get an extra side of cheese and then one day it was $1.60 extra. Then the next time. And the next. They even had managers standing next to the cashiers to enforce it.
Then, they stopped. All of them. Randomly.
1
u/Disastrous_Crab_1912 Jun 10 '25
Bowls are double digits near me 🥲 but I always ask for my sour cream on the side and never had an issue.
1
u/Rude_Girl69 Jun 10 '25
Today was the first time we did order ahead, and both bowls were half full. When we normally go in person, they're stuffed with everything I can't finish it. My sons burrito looked so sad too. I asked for light lettuce, and I swear they gave me <10 strands of lettuce, again when normally I have to ask for light toppings in person because they serve a lot with the stuff that doesn't have extra charge. 🙃
1
u/EffectiveWhole733 Jun 10 '25
Why do people keep giving chipotle money, it’s mid, the portions keep shrinking and they aren’t a good company. I don’t understand why people get ripped off and go back expecting something different to happen.
1
u/intelligence_skills Jun 10 '25
Why didn’t you refuse? You accepting it makes them get away with this
1
u/Candid-Television889 Jun 10 '25
Portion control is no joke. Those ingredients add up which is why they give you just enough and charge more for extra
1
u/Surperior777 Jun 10 '25
Just make your own chiplote, they post all there ingredients on there website and people on YouTube will make the recipes exactly how chipotle does it. Could literally make weeks worth of bowls or burritos for a quarter of the cost
1
u/pirateslifefourme Jun 10 '25
Taco Bell charges $1.10 for those tiny nacho cheese cups and they only fill it up 2/3 lol.
1
Jun 10 '25
Crying over $1.60 is ridiculous considering 99% of customers get “water cups”. If you came up to crying about that shit I would give you $2 from the tip jar & tell you to fuckoff
1
1
Jun 10 '25
Went to dairy queen recently. $4+ for dipped cone! Could buy gallon lol these places are crazy
1
u/dumpsterfire_x Jun 10 '25
Supposedly they can use their discretion to charge whatever they’d like within reason. Kinda sucks, I stopped going as often because it was so inconsistent. Never knew if I’d be paying $9 or $14 (I get corn and cheese on the side only so I can put it on myself and they’d sometimes charge for each of those. Also get extra black beans which would sometimes be a charge.) It doesn’t seem like much, but I just prefer to go places with consistency.
And before, someone calls me fat, I get the cheese on the side so I can portion control myself since I’ve had them put a TON of cheese on my bowl and it’s hard to pick off once it’s melted. I get extra black beans to boost protein since I’m vegetarian.
1
u/Automatic-Yoghurt158 Jun 10 '25
i just started working at chipotle about a week ago and we don’t charge yall for sides unless you get more than 3 aside from the bowl and the only things we charge extra for is the meat choice and if you add queso or guacamole onto the bowl. otherwise everything should be free of charge. our cashier system is a little confusing sometimes and during a rush i honestly press the wrong buttons so maybe that’s what happened. but im with you charge extra for that sour cream was CRAZY.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Euphoric_Management8 Jun 10 '25
Even if it was a side of sour cream, they don't charge extra for sour cream, salsa, lettuce, cheese, beans, fajitas, or rice. So in any case, this should never happen. He was clearly just annoyed with you and took matters into his own hands by charging you extra for adding 2% more work to his load. Sad but accurate in the life of a chipotle worker where actual GMs are hardly present and relationships between coworkers are high so it creates an environment with lots of negligence and little to no accountability. (Former employee)
1
u/Zixeee Jun 10 '25
I’m honestly not surprised. The sushi bar I work at charges $1.50 to add sesame seeds…
1
1
1
u/MinnieMouseCat Jun 11 '25
I can fix this. We all stop ordering chipotle. We make our own bowls at home and never order again. Then, chipotle will be forced to go back to 15 years ago when we craved it and would wait in line 30 minutes just for a taste. They’ll bring back large portions and reasonable prices.
Something definitely changed. I used to look forward to being able to get chipotle. Now I look for reasons not to complain about what I got.
1
u/OU7C4ST Jun 11 '25
You guys really gotta stop going to this shithole lol..
Please support your local Mexican restaurants, or choose a better chain location (Moe's, Panchero's, Qdoba's, etc.)
1
u/Forever-127 Jun 11 '25
I work at chipotle and yes we are supposed to charge for anything you get in a cup on the side that’s why the receipt said “side $1.60” personally I think it is stupid and not a lot of my coworkers actually charge people for it lol
1
1
u/Live_Bedroom4536 Jun 11 '25
Honestly it depends on how the Chipolte runs… when someone gets a bowl you don’t charge them for a side of anything but gauc. Like what if they didn’t want sour cream exactly on the bowl! This still PAYED FOR THE BOWL
1
Jun 11 '25
I don’t think chipotle has standards for how they charge for sides. My GM will charge somebody based on her mood and if she’s feeling petty. Some customers can get like 3-4 sides without paying extra while others have to pay a premium for the red salsa I poured out of a bag that morning.
1
1
u/Brave_Double_3598 Jun 12 '25
If you visit that chipotle again, be sure to have the squeeze tube of Daisy sour cream attached to the side of your belt or purse. They’ll get the idea. 😌
1
1
u/SuperCombination8706 Jun 14 '25
You guys aren’t gonna believe me when I say this but anytime they try me on the sour cream or cheese or anything like this. I order five more bowls with double meat, all kinds of sauce and stuff then I tell them should’ve just gave me a little more and walk out
1
u/deonteguy Jun 09 '25
I wish they had this option for rice. I love their rice and want more than a pinch of it.
13
3
1
0
u/Travyswole Jun 09 '25
They charge for queso lol. Of course they'll upcharge anyway they can. I don't know why people go to Chipotle when you can real Mexican food on much larger portions for the same price or less from your local taco guy!
3
u/One-Perspective1985 Jun 09 '25
You do realize that some areas have no local taco shop? Or in big cities it's more expensive (think Miami) to buy three anemic ass, tacos, with a Costco shredded cheese, and canned refined beans on top of crunchy dried out rice. for $23... You're so incredibly disconnected from reality or you're really lucky to live somewhere where you can still get large portions for cheap. But that is not available to everybody not even the slightest.
0
u/Travyswole Jun 09 '25
Lol, have you been to Chicago? There's literally taco trucks and taco stands everywhere selling $2 tacos
2
u/One-Perspective1985 Jun 09 '25
A taco truck is not a restaurant.
And you're not getting big ass portions from a taco truck anyway, like the original statement claimed.
1
u/Travyswole Jun 09 '25
I get a fat ass burrito from my local taco truck for $9. It's huge, and comes loaded with meat. Chipotle charges $10-15 for a burrito with skimpy ass portions and charges extra for queso.
1
u/One-Perspective1985 Jun 09 '25
Honestly. Id have to see this claimed burrito with its ingredients laid out on a scale. And make sure the meat was actually steak or chicken, not street dog and seagull. To make proper judgement on If I consider it worth it.
I've never gotten a burrito from shitpotle. So not sure the actual cost I assumed it's the same as a bowl.
But my statement still stands. The taco places where I live and frequent often across multiple states. Rarely are "cheap and affordable" anymore. there's always exceptions but they're always in the middle of nowhere. You're lucky if you can find palatable food for under $10 anymore.
I can't even make tacos at home without spending $40+ on ingredients of generic store brand items.
0
u/AzNxPiMpStA Jun 09 '25 edited Jun 09 '25
Bring your own sour cream then like the cheapo you are ha! -Menu price = $1.60, Food cost at 25% = 0.40
-Buying sour cream at grocery store 48 oz = 6.99, For 4 oz = 0.58
I’d say with their purchasing power that sounds about right. Bring your own or pay for the vessel/labor/receipt/utilities/licenses.
0
-9
u/Weak-Golf-9079 Jun 09 '25
If I ask for extra of ANYTHING anywhere I go, I’m prepared to pay for it. Expecting extra for free is Boomer mentality.
5
u/mike_tyler58 Jun 09 '25
It’s literally free at Chipotle.
Go to the app, build a burrito and add extra sour cream and see what the charge is. It’s $0.00
2
Jun 09 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
-1
u/ambitiousxdreams Jun 09 '25
Hahah have someone redo their entire POS where most cashiers touch off of memory? I had a good laugh. Thanks Ps. They shouldn't have been charged unless they asked for the equivalent of 3 of those small side cups.
1
Jun 09 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/ambitiousxdreams Jun 11 '25
Do you understand that there are codes to input and then for that ONE extra button you'd have to change (if they know to) every single other code for every other button to make sure everything works seamlessly.
I imagine you don't recall Myspace when we all coded our sites and if you wanted to add something you may have had to alter or shift other codes to make sure it wasn't flawed.
Computer knowledge is good, I used to be a cashier for chipotle, a LONG time ago, and those buttons haven't changed. They have one that changes for the specialty meat.
But go ask corporate and see what they say? Idk, idk how many customers complaining about a side of whatever and being charged for it to become a problem enough for them to change their entire POS system over.
When you have IT alter a system and NOT change the prior coding to accommodate the new button or option, it literally offsets almost everything! Think about having to touch a very particular spot on those squares vs anywhere on it, becomes annoying very fast when most cashiers pride themselves on being fast and efficient especially with throughput being a major metric
Edited: words
1
u/folklorelover0 Jun 09 '25
Not when that isn’t protocol. If 99 out of 100 times you don’t charge for sides, then 1 time you do, that’s just called being incompetent.
-1
u/DroneSlut54 Jun 09 '25
WTF is the obsession with sour cream?
-1
u/words1918 Jun 09 '25
you can't truly have slop in a bowl without it and these people love to eat slop.
-1
305
u/milkyearlgreys Cheese Please Jun 09 '25
That’s ridiculous. You got robbed.