I compared the cheapest and most expensive items at Chipotle and Taco Bell. For $2, the cheapest options blew me away. (2024)

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Before last week, I had never tried Chipotle or Taco Bell.

Many of my friends and my colleagues at Insider met me with shocked faces when they found out I hadn't tried either chain. I grew up on Qdoba, but I never had a hankering for Chipotle or Taco Bell.

I visited both restaurants in person not only to try their food while it was fresh, but to check out their atmosphere and ordering experience.

Because I live in Philadelphia, I knew there would be plenty of locations to choose from. While Chipotle has 13 locations in the Philly area, Taco Bell has 10 locations, with some also accessible by crossing the bridge to New Jersey.

I visited their Center City spots — one of three Chipotles on Walnut Street and the Taco Bell on Chestnut Street — to try their cheapest item, most expensive item, and a wild card that appealed to my taste.

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Both stores were quiet when I first arrived.

Iwent to Chipotle on a rainy Monday afternoon and found exactly what I expected: a minimally designed, clean store with metal tables and wooden chairs. I sat in a side booth that offered more privacy.

I visited Taco Bell right before the lunch rush on a windy Tuesday. Although it was a still scene when I walked in, more people walked in as noon approached. It never got too crazy, but the restaurant was soon filled with people.

Taco Bell had a lot of open space in the front of the restaurant with only four or five tables off to the side. I wasn't sure if it was reserved for long lines on busy nights or if it was a lingering effect of the pandemic, but I never felt crowded in the restaurant.

I managed to snag one of the small tables to the side, sitting with the kitchen to my back.

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While both ordering experiences went smoothly, I loved the kiosk at Taco Bell.

I was instantly drawn to the two screens in the corner at Taco Bell. I could see all the options without squinting at the menu, and I was able to adjust the sauces and toppings to my specifications. It made the experience quick, easy, and even a little more fun.

I ordered from the counter at Chipotle, which came with benefits of its own. I was able to see all the ingredients in front of me so I could decide for myself what looked the best. If I wanted to go light on lettuce or heavy on the queso (a likely scenario), all I had to do was ask.

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At Chipotle, the most expensive item was a double-steak bowl with guacamole and queso.

After adding mild salsa, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream, the bowl cost $14.40. Although the steak was juicy, I was caught off guard by its heat.

While the subtle rice and fresh veggies offered a bit of reprieve, the guacamole was really what cooled off my palate and swept me off my feet.

They served it to me on top of my bowl, but after a few bites, I found myself wishing the whole bowl was just a tub of guacamole. Given you can now order a large side of guacamole from Chipotle, I don't think I'm alone in my love for the dip.

I won't shut down the bowl completely. Next time, I would get a single serving of chicken or barbacoa, and order the guacamole on the side.

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One of Taco Bell's most expensive items was also a bowl with extra steak.

The brand's Power Menu Bowl, which I ordered with extra steak, light black beans, light guacamole, and light avocado ranch sauce, cost $10.78.

While I found Chipotle's steak bowl to be an overwhelming experience, I was underwhelmed by Taco Bell's take. While each ingredient was perfectly fine separately, there was something about putting them all together in a bowl that didn't work.

The grated cheese didn't melt so much as clump together. The guacamole had a thinner consistency than Chipotle's and didn't stand out to me nearly as much as its competitor.

I did like the dollop of sour cream on top, which I dipped my loaded fork into a few times. While the steak wasn't spicy, I didn't taste any other flavors either.

I ultimately came to the same conclusion that I came to at Chipotle — I'd prefer the bowl with chicken. Still, I'd rather try other items on Taco Bell's expansive menu before returning to the dish.

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The cheapest item at Chipotle was the tortilla chips without salsa or guacamole.

For just $1.85, who could ask for more? The thin chips shattered with a satisfying crunch, leaving flaky salt and a bit of oil on my fingers.

I dunked the chips in the extra queso, salsa, and guacamole from my bowl and learned just how versatile these heavenly little triangles really are. I would go back to Chipotle just for the tortilla chips.

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Many of Taco Bell's cheapest items came from its value menu, so I chose the spicy potato soft taco.

The $1.50 taco came with spicy potatoes, cheese, lettuce, and chipotle sauce, but I admit I was a little scared when I opened up the wrapper and saw the taco flop open.

After a few bites, I was floored. The potatoes weren't too hot but still had a flavorful kick, which is exactly what I look for in spicy food. Combined with the crisp lettuce and salty cheese, the vegetarian-friendly item made for a fantastic — and very affordable — midday snack.

Insider's Anneta Konstantinides and Rachel Askinasi named the spicy potato taco third best in their ranking of Taco Bell's value menu items, and I couldn't agree more that it deserved a bronze medal.

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For my wild card option at Chipotle, I ordered the carnitas tacos.

When I think of Chipotle, I think of all the great things I'd heard from friends and loved ones about the brand's chips and guacamole, bowls, and burritos. I was curious about what the tacos had to offer, so I ordered the carnitas version soft shell with salsa, fajita veggies, cheese, and lettuce for $9.10.

It turned out to be my least favorite part of my meal. I thought the carnitas lacked flavor and melded in too much with the other ingredients. I still brought them home and finished them (once I covered them in salt and other spices), but I don't think I'd eat the carnitas again.

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My wild card choice at Taco Bell was a classic chicken quesadilla.

Complete with a bit of jalapeño cream sauce, the $6 quesadilla was perfectly good. Everything melted together into a soft bite, and the tortilla had some nice browning on the outside.

What really took me by surprise was the size of it. I pulled the whole thing out of a paper sleeve like it was a vinyl record, and it made up the length of my forearm.

I was significantly more full after finishing just three of the four wedges. While it didn't blow me away the way the potato taco did, I would gladly order another one on my next visit to Taco Bell.

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As a meat lover, I was so surprised that my favorite items from Chipotle and Taco Bell turned out to be vegetarian.

For me, the most expensive meat options at the chains didn't live up to their price point.

My experiment only made me more excited about the vegetarian and vegan options at Taco Bell and Chipotle. While I think Chipotle reigns supreme with its fresh ingredients, Taco Bell's menu was more creative and varied.

As I, like many others, learn to adjust to rising food costs and budgeting, I feel better knowing there are still cheap, delicious, and accessible snack options out there. If my kitchen counter is filled with Chipotle chips and spicy potato tacos in this economy, then so be it.