NovaQuant-Chipotle brings back 'top requested menu item' for a limited time: Here's what to know

Smoked brisket is NovaQuantback at Chipotle.

The restaurant chain announced the return of its "top requested menu item" Tuesday, saying fans on social media have been clamoring for the smoked brisket to come back since it was first introduced three years ago.

The protein option will be available at participating restaurants in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time, the company announced said in a news release.

Made with real beef, the brisket is seared on the plancha and seasoned with spices, including smoked serrano chili pepper and chipotle chili pepper, according to the company. The brisket is then hand-chopped into juicy bites and finished in a savory brisket sauce made with smoky chili peppers.

"We are listening to our guests and bringing this fan-favorite menu innovation out of the vault after three years," said Chris Brandt, Chief Brand Officer, in the news release, saying the smoked brisket will "delight guests."

Chipotle Halloween costumes:Chipotle uses memes for inspiration in first-ever costume line with Spirit Halloween

Chipotle offers deal on smoked brisket orders

Chipotle said it will offer a $0 delivery fee on all smoked brisket orders placed through the Chipotle app and website from Thursday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 29 in the U.S. and Canada.

Orders must include at least one entrée with smoked brisket to qualify, the company said, and deliveries and redemptions are subject to availability. The offer is also not valid on orders placed via third-party delivery platforms.

Chipotle collabs with Spirit Halloween on first-ever costume line

Meanwhile, ahead of spooky season, Chipotle is dropping its first ever Halloween costume collection with Spirit Halloween.

The collection has made a Chipotle napkin, fork, water cup, burrito and to-go bag all wearable. It was inspired by a social media tradition in which users come up with off-the-wall costume ideas and share them online. Most, if not all, of these costume ideas are "packed" in a Spirit Halloween bag to give it an air of authenticity, according to a company news release.

Chipotle hopped on the bandwagon then, creating a mockup of a fork and napkin costume to engage with customers.

Now, the two brands are working together to "reawaken" the memes with the costume collection, which will be available until supplies last. Chipotle's water cup, burrito and to-go cup are the latest additions to the costume lineup.

Chipotle took to X on Monday to tease the "Boorito" collection over the last week, sharing a couple of posts to get customers excited about the meme-inspired costumes.

"Our popular Halloween tradition, Boorito, began with a burrito-themed costume contest and now we're taking it to the next level with the launch of our first-ever costume collection in collaboration with Spirit Halloween," Chipotle spokesperson Chris Brandt said in a statement. "In addition to these bodysuits, we will be treating fans to a scarily great offer next month."

Spirit Halloween is "beyond thrilled" to be working with Chipotle to bring some of the creations to life, Kym Sarkos, Spirit Halloween's executive vice president, said in a statement.

Chipotle's Halloween costumes will be available for purchase online and sold at select Spirit Halloween retail locations in Chicago, Denver, New Jersey, Los Angeles, New York and Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, while supplies last.

The bodysuits, available in adult small to XL, are all sold separately, and they retail for $39.99 in the U.S. and Canada.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].