As a means of showcasing its revamped menu, Chipotle is giving away free food. That’s right. This Sunday (and April 26, May 3, and May 10), Colorado stores, with the exception of the Colorado Springs area, are giving away a kids meal with the purchase of a burrito, burrito bowl, or a full-size salad.

So why the blitz? For one, the 15-year-old, fast-casual restaurant has re-imagined its menu to include more variety, like a zesty vegetarian soup that’s a cross between tortilla soup and posole, as well as a version that’s served with chicken, cheese, and rice. Chipotle has also formalized the previously under-the-radar kids options, namely the single tacos and small quesadillas.

Chipotle has always been an appealing option for parents–the restaurants are usually noisy enough to cover for a wailing baby, the eats are mostly sustainable and easily customized, and the prices are right. And, now, parents can add the smartly conceived children’s Taco Kit to the list. The do-it-yourself meal comes with crispy or soft taco shells, the choice of antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, and two other ingredients (salsa, beans, etc.), plus chips and a drink.

The idea here is that kiddos assemble the tacos just the way he or she likes, and then they have a vested interest in eating them. As a mother of a toddler, I value any meal that both engages my daughter and encourages her to polish it off.

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.