You may have heard of the “Chipotle Camera Trick Challenge” that’s been trending on TikTok, where people walk into Chipotle stores filming the workers to pressure them into giving bigger spoonfuls. For the past four months, there have been widespread complaints about Chipotle cutting down on their portion sizes, particularly in their burrito bowls. Today, we’ll be taking a bite of the truth, no matter the cost!

First, let’s take a look at the allegations from enraged customers. One commented, “I had a server actually take some chicken out.” Food critic Keith Lee says, “It’s going from a 10 to a 2.5 out of 10. I used to love Chipotle but something changed. Portions been crazy low.” This is a bold statement considering he had a partnership with Chipotle. Famous TikTok influencer Jack’s Dining Room complains, “Chipotle kind of has been off their game recently. I will call them out.” Many accusations come from TikTok, with the hashtag “Chipotle Small Portion” having millions of posts. Across other platforms there are videos about this issue, amassing thousands of views.

Constant filming caused outrage among staff, who even took to Chipotle’s Reddit forum to rant about it. One staff member says, “I’m not even on TikTok… but I’ve been noticing people recording and it’s starting to feel like harassment. Our staff doesn’t skimp on portions. I’m already tired of these dumb customers.” So is chipotle cutting back on portions?

A curious man named Zachary Fedam did an investigation. He and his team ordered 75 bowls of Chipotle from eight different locations in NYC. Each order was the same: white rice, black beans, chicken, pico, cheese, and lettuce.

The results of this experiment varied: For the most part, store and online orders weighed the same. But overall, portions were inconsistent: some bowls weighed 33% more than others. One was 26.8 ounces, while another was a whopping 13.8 ounces. The heaviest online order was 87% heavier than the lightest one.

These discrepancies suggest that some locations skimp on portions, and how much you get really depends on which store you go to. As for HSMSE students, the closest and most frequently visited Chipotle is near 138th Street, a 20-minute walk at most. Many pictures on Yelp show orders filled to the top. Reviews say, “Huge burritos” and “Best Chipotle in Harlem, they don’t skim[p] on your order!” MSE kids who eat at this location say they get decent amounts of food, including meat and cheese. It’s common to see people return to the campus with full bowls of Chipotle with enough meat for almost every one or two bites they take. Benjamin Otto (‘27) reports that his, “orders always come filled to the top.”

So, if you want to grab Chipotle, definitely go to this location! However, remember that the same may not apply to other places. The most important takeaway is the fact that corporations can be greedy for money and try to gaslight the public into believing that they’re getting their money’s worth. In reality, Chipotle’s portions are proven to be inconsistent, showing that they don’t align with service standards. CEO Brian Niccol can deny it all he wants, but disappointed customers say otherwise.