Chipotle Tofu Burrito Filling, 'Sofritas,' Gets Test Run At San Francisco Locations

Chipotle Tests Tofu
GLENVIEW, IL - DECEMBER 2: People enter a Chipotle restaurant December 2, 2005 in Glenview, Illinois. McDonald's Corp., owners of 92 percent of Chipotle, are preparing their Mexican-style eateries for an initial public offering. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
GLENVIEW, IL - DECEMBER 2: People enter a Chipotle restaurant December 2, 2005 in Glenview, Illinois. McDonald's Corp., owners of 92 percent of Chipotle, are preparing their Mexican-style eateries for an initial public offering. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Chipotle, concerned about rising meat prices and eager to shore up its popular support among vegetarians, is soon testing tofu as its newest burrito filling in a few San Francisco locations.

The Denver-based Mexican chain calls the new shredded tofu preparation "sofritas," which Google translates as "sautéed" or "braised." The new meat alternative is designed in part to combat rising meat costs, which have led the chain to mull raising prices across the board.

"Sofritas" isn't the first meat alternative Chipotle has tested, however. For the past several years, a few locations in the Northeast have been selling a "Garden Fresh" blend of vegetables and vegan protein that's gone over well with vegans and vegetarians. Plus you can always order a Chipotle burrito with peppers and onions rather than meat.

All in all, it's almost enough to make you forget that Chipotle once angered vegetarians across the country for failing to note that its pinto beans contained bacon on the menu.

Before You Go

A mockup of the exterior of a new Chipotle

Chipotle's Influence

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE