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Chipotle gives smoked brisket a limited menu run, Banza & Beyond Meat’s new pizza

Yahoo Finance’s Brooke DiPalma details Banza’s team up with Beyond Meat for its new ‘Banza Supreme’ pizza and taste tests Chipotle’s smoked brisket.

Video transcript

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ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Time now for today's Brooke's Bites. And we have got Beyond Meat coming to the frozen pizza aisle. Brooke DiPalma here now with all those details. Hey, Brooke.

BROOKE DIPALMA: Now this would be available at Kroger, as well as a slew of online websites, including Amazon, Thrive Market, Market Basket, as well as FreshDirect. Now this vegetarian option is made using, like I said, that Beyond Sausage, but also a slew of different ingredients, like tomato sauce, mozzarella, white cheddar, provolone, and of course, onions and peppers, a unique topping for any New Yorker.

But this is now the fifth pizza that Banza is introducing to the frozen pizza aisle. Since it introduced last October of 2020, it's seen a 300% increase in retail footprint, that is. And this is just the latest win for Beyond Meat, as US consumers are still awaiting that [INAUDIBLE] plant, which is currently being tested in both the UK and Ireland. But this is not Beyond's first apple. They also have an ongoing partnership with Pizza Hut in which they are introducing a Beyond Pepperoni.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: OK, all right. Well, look, they're trying. They're trying all different things. Now I don't know. Have you tasted it yet? I have not.

BROOKE DIPALMA: I have not tasted it, but that chickpea texture and pizza does have a bit of a chewier taste to it. But we'll definitely have to see with that Beyond Meat added.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Yeah, just like that cauliflower stuff, the cauliflower pizza. I'm personally not a fan, but to each his own. I want to get to Chipotle, because I know they're putting some of their plant-based plans on pause because they are rolling out that long awaited smoked brisket on the menu. And I believe it's for a limited time only. And you actually have one. You're going to taste it right now.

BROOKE DIPALMA: Alexis, that's right. So I have this smoked brisket, that is. This was actually tested last fall as well in both Cincinnati and Sacramento. Now, it is a Mexican inspired brisket. It's charred on the grill and then-- well, smoked first, charred on the grill-- and then seasoned with both fire roasted jalapenos and Chipotle chili peppers.

Now, they're doing a unique rollout here. Beginning today, it's available for reward members. And then it'll roll into restaurants later on this week, and then available on third party app delivery. So certainly for that limited time, taking advantage of the rollout. As you can see, it is quite covered in spices. First bite here. I think it might be spicy, so stay tuned. OK, Alexis. The fire roasted jalapenos certainly do kick in, [INAUDIBLE] for sure.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: I can see it in your eyes.

BROOKE DIPALMA: It's pretty good.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: [INAUDIBLE]

BROOKE DIPALMA: My eyes widened right away.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: All right, but I mean--

BROOKE DIPALMA: And this is a burrito bowl.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: Is it overpowering? Because sometimes the hotness, you know, it sort of, like, masks the actual flavor of the food.

BROOKE DIPALMA: I do have to say, I had to uncover the smoked brisket in my burrito bowl. It's a bit overpowering. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. I didn't get too much in my Chipotle bowl, but maybe there's more under all of this. But I do want to say that this is really just the latest menu innovation coming to Chipotle. Year to date, shares are up nearly 37%. So Main Street and Wall Street alike are certainly loving this menu innovation there.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: You know who else is loving it? Our producer, Nick. He already said he's going to run out and get it. He loves the spicy. Brooke DiPalma, thanks so much for bringing us Brooke's Bites.