Taco Bell vs. Chipotle, by the numbers

Taco Bell publishes nutrition for 42 items and Chipotle for 93. The typical Chipotle item is lighter (median 130 calories vs 240), Chipotle has the single highest-protein item, and Chipotle has the most protein-dense order. Below: the numbers side by side, then the lightest pick in each category both chains sell, all from the chains' own nutrition guides.
Menus:
Taco Bell menuLow-calorie Taco BellChipotle menuLow-calorie Chipotle
Items with published nutrition
Taco Bell: 42
Chipotle: 93
Median calories per item
Taco Bell: 240
Chipotle: 130
Real meals under 500 calories (15 g+ protein)
Taco Bell: 4
Chipotle: 5
Lightest real meal (15 g+ protein)
Taco Bell: Chili Cheese Burrito (380 calories, 15 g protein)
Chipotle: Steak (150 calories, 21 g protein)
Most protein
Taco Bell: Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito Steak (560 calories, 26 g protein)
Chipotle: Chicken (180 calories, 32 g protein)
Most protein per 100 calories
Taco Bell: Grande Toasted Breakfast Burrito Steak (4.6 g)
Chipotle: Chicken (17.8 g)
Keto meals (under 10 g net carbs, 15 g+ protein)
Taco Bell: 0
Chipotle: 5
Median sodium per item
Taco Bell: 470 mg
Chipotle: 140 mg

Lightest taco

Taco Bell ›
Crunchy Taco
per taco · 7g protein · 13g carbs · 9g fat
170 kcal
Chipotle ›
Flour Tortilla (taco) (Kids)
per 2 ea · 5g protein · 27g carbs · 5g fat
170 kcal

Lightest burrito

Taco Bell ›
Cheesy Toasted Breakfast Burrito Potato
per burrito · 9g protein · 44g carbs · 14g fat
340 kcal
Chipotle ›
Flour Tortilla (burrito)
per tortilla · 8g protein · 50g carbs · 9g fat
320 kcal

Questions people ask

Which is healthier, Taco Bell or Chipotle?

By the numbers, Chipotle has the lighter typical item and Chipotle the better protein per calorie, so it wins both. Real meals under 500 calories (150+ calories, 15 g+ protein): 4 at Taco Bell and 5 at Chipotle.

Which has more protein, Taco Bell or Chipotle?

Chipotle: Chicken has 32 g. For protein without the calories, Chipotle's Chicken leads at 17.8 g per 100 calories.

Which is better for keto, Taco Bell or Chipotle?

Chipotle has more meals under 10 g net carbs with 15 g of protein (5 vs 0). Each chain's keto page lists them.

Where do these numbers come from?

Taco Bell's and Chipotle's own published nutrition guides, reviewed before import. Portions differ between chains, so compare calories and protein, not just item names.

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