UPDATE: September 29, 2015 at 11:30 a.m.
Just two months after announcing the slow-rolling return of carnitas, Chipotle has officially brought back the slow-cooked pork to 90 percent of locations across the country—a big leap from the original 30 percent who were serving it back in July. This is great news for carnitas lovers, though the company did take some serious flack for its choice of pork supplier. The LA Times reports that Chipotle intends to complete the comeback at all outposts by November. So if your local burrito shop isn't stocked up just yet (looking at you, Florida, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania), be patient. Or you know, compulsively check the status of carnitas in your state online.
ORIGINAL POST: July 13, 2015 at 2:17 p.m.
Chipotle has solved its pork problem. Since January, the chain has battled with a carnitas shortage, unable to find responsibly raised meat to match its "food with integrity" standard. Because of this issue, more than a third of its restaurants have been operating without carnitas. And it has been heartbreaking. I mean, what's a pinto-bean burrito without salty, slow-roasted pork? Nothing, that's what.
But now a new supplier is answering our Tex-Mex prayers, with carnitas coming back to all locations by the end of the year.
That means by December you'll be able to gorge on spiced pork tacos and smother your burrito bowl with carnitas. The wildly popular fast-casual restaurant has decided its new source will be Karro Food in the United Kingdom. Curious as to why Chipotle has enlisted help from overseas?
"Upwards of 95 percent of pork produced in this country is conventionally raised, so the available supply that meets our high standards is relatively small, " a Chipotle spokesperson told CNN Money. However, the brand will continue to search for domestic suppliers and reiterates that the U.K. company is a short-term solution.
Do what you gotta do, Chipotle. We're just happy to see carnitas make their rightful return.
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