The LSU area Chipotle Mexican Grill at the corner of West State and Highland streets is applying for a zoning change that would allow it to serve alcohol.
The Metropolitan Council will consider the request at its zoning meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Chipotle has offered margaritas and beer to customers since it was founded in the early 1990s, and in 2013 began serving premium Patrón margaritas.
It’s unclear why Chipotle hasn’t pursued alcohol sales at its Baton Rouge location until now. As of October, an estimated 50% of Chipotle locations reportedly served alcohol.
Chipotle entered the Baton Rouge market in 2011, and the LSU area restaurant is the chain’s only location in the city. There are 10 locations throughout the state.
The Denver-based fast-casual chain has been fighting to recover from lapses in food safety that have plagued it for years, though both sales and stock shares have increased since Chipotle’s new CEO Brian Niccol assumed office in March.
Representatives of Chipotle did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
