Recently, Chipotle added a secret menu, adding themselves to the list of restaurants have been adopting the new secret menu concept in their businesses.  Businesses that currently have a secret menu include major chains, such as Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King.

A hidden or secret menu is a menu that restaurants can create that is not posted publicly in the store.  It is spread by word of mouth and the internet where there are websites with secret menus from many restaurants.  They usually have items on them that someone might otherwise come up with themselves.  Each menu is different, some require that the order is described while other things can be ordered with the secret menu name.

Adding a secret menu not only offers more menu options, it also gives customers ideas of ways to customize their order by adding ingredients or having it served in a different way, and make it something better that may not be available normally.

“Every time I go, I look at the menu and wonder what to pick,” said junior Jake Cover.

The new menu gives many more options and allow visitors to mix options to what they want.  Items on the new Chipotle secret menu include a “Quesorito”, which is a cheese quesadilla instead of a tortilla wrapped around a regular burrito.

“I would like to try the Quesorito,” said Cover. “I want to see a Cayman Combo, pico shrimp, pulled pork, lime, lettuce, paprika, bell peppers and jalapeños.”

Other restaurants have recently revealed secret menus.  The most popular and recent one to be discovered was Starbucks.  Their menu included different sizes for drinks and new flavors of teas and Frappuccinos.

“They probably have these to attract more customers and meet with competitors.  One person starts it and they all think, ‘hey that’s cool, let’s do it too,’” said Cover.

SAHS students can receive a little known discount from the local Stillwater Chipotle as well.  It is a buy one get one free deal available only to students.

The trend of restaurants with secret menus will probably keep on growing over the next few years from the many restaurants that currently offer this type of menu.