NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF. — Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is introducing the Hand-Crafted Quesadilla, a new digital-only menu item. The quesadilla marks the first customizable entree Chipotle has added to its menu since it debuted a salad option 17 years ago.

The Hand-Crafted Quesadilla features Monterey Jack cheese and responsibly raised chicken, steak, carnitas, barbacoa, sofritas or fajita vegetables folded into a preservative-free flour tortilla. The quesadilla is pressed using a new custom oven in Chipotle’s Digital Kitchen, which melts the cheese and enables restaurants to make quesadillas more quickly and conveniently, Chipotle said. The quesadilla is cut into triangular pieces and served in 100% compostable packaging that allows customers to choose three salsas or sides.

“We’re so excited to answer the call from fans and introduce one of the most highly anticipated menu items in our brand's history,” said Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer for Chipotle. “The Hand-Crafted Quesadilla brings so many new possibilities to our menu, and fans will love exploring fresh flavor combinations through its sides and salsa options.”

Chipotle began testing a quesadilla as a digital-only menu item in the summer of 2020. This pilot, conducted in Cleveland and Indianapolis, was part of the brand's stage-gate process, which allows Chipotle to study customer feedback and iterate before deciding on a national launch strategy. Chipotle previously leveraged its stage-gate process to introduce Cauliflower Rice, Carne Asada, Supergreens Salad Mix and Queso Blanco in 2019 and 2020.