Ah, we get another chain restaurant?

Chipotle's Mexican Grill is opening tomorrow. I have never been to one. Anyone familiar with this chain and what do you think?
Oh, they are giving free food away on their opening day. Their comment to the reporter was that they don't want anyone to waste their money to "try them". Apparently, they feel their food is great and we will be back.

From what I hear, burritos. Especially if you are from areas of the country that have little-to-no Mexican population.

Chipotle's Mexican Grill is opening tomorrow. I have never been to one. Anyone familiar with this chain and what do you think?
Oh, they are giving free food away on their opening day. Their comment to the reporter was that they don't want anyone to waste their money to "try them". Apparently, they feel their food is great and we will be back.

We have one here in the triad, and they sent out cards for free food when they first opened. They have burritos, tacos, etc. We get the burrito bowls (without tortillas). The food is good, and we go there quite often for a quick lunch on the weekends. Read more about them here http://www.chipotle.com/#undefined

[Jenise]

Karen, all I know about them is from the Wall Street angle--very well-managed company, explosive growth in the last five years, and a standout in the fast food sector. Does that mean the food's good? Well, no....

I think they are owned by Mickey D's but don't hold that against them... heard good things but have not been there.

I've eaten there a couple of times....none recently. Had the barbacoa which was a very large, pretty tasty burrito-type treat. Of course, Cincinnati doesnt know real Mexican so my opinion has little weight.

I like the food. The carnitas is fantastic, the guacamole is tasty and the salsas range from mild to searing.

There's one in Rancho Cucamonga or the next town east from there whatever it is. I forget, but I ate in it once when I was traveling the Inland Empire . No great shakes as far as I'm conerned. Typical Cali-Mex fast food. Better than Taco Bell, less greasy and gloppy than Chevy's, not as good as Los Panchos in Pleasant Hill.

Only know about them as an investment. Former San Francisco chef starts up a SF/Mex restaurant, McDonalds starts with a small stake which becomes a controlling interest. Because of their backing, they go from a dozen outlets to around 500. The IPO was about 2 years ago in which the price doubled in one day. It's now at about triple that intial close price.

About the food... ummmm... I have no idea.

[Robin Garr]

One curious point not yet mentioned here: Chipotles, the corporation, was owned by McDonald's, which just divested it as an independent company last year. The Mickey D's connection doesn't particularly inspire confidence in me. but to be honest, I've never eaten in a Chipotles.

Karen,
(I've never been to one although there are several here in DC.)
I've read good thing about them, especially their purchasing. They tend to buy locally and avoid pesticides and stuff like that. I'll try to dig up the article and post a link.

[Jenise]

Karen, you should go, maybe you'll run into Merle Haggard there. I just read last night that he lives in your town.

Chipotle's Mexican Grill is opening tomorrow. I have never been to one. Anyone familiar with this chain and what do you think?
Oh, they are giving free food away on their opening day. Their comment to the reporter was that they don't want anyone to waste their money to "try them". Apparently, they feel their food is great and we will be back.

Just my two cents worth, but I have been to Chipotle's three times in my life to get the free burrito deal (once in Berkeley, California, once in Washington, DC, and once in Alexandria, Virginia). The fillings were fine, not memorable, but fine. But the tortillas they use were consistently pretty close to inedible for me--pretty much like eating a burrito that is wrapped in a huge rubber band. They get raves from major outlets like the Washington Post and the New York Times, but I know I would not pay to eat there. And how they could compete in the already burrito-dense communities of the Bay Area was beyond me.

Edible but boring and uninspired. I mean, they just make burritos and it's not too easy to screw one of those up; slop some stuff in a flour tortilla and roll it up. They use run-of-the-mill ingredients and produce obscene portions. But I have eaten there and would do so again in a pinch. I just don't go out of my way to eat there.

Keith, for what it's worth, pretty much anything wrapped up in a flour tortilla tastes like a rubber band. At least to me.

rwj

Keith, for what it's worth, pretty much anything wrapped up in a flour tortilla tastes like a rubber band. At least to me.

Not for me, Robert! A properly made burrito is an absolutely delicious experience . . . though filling to the point of being ridiculous!

Keith, for what it's worth, pretty much anything wrapped up in a flour tortilla tastes like a rubber band. At least to me.

Not for me, Robert! A properly made burrito is an absolutely delicious experience . . . though filling to the point of being ridiculous!

This is just bias on my part. I am a corn tortilla lover to the bone.

rwj

[Jenise]

This is just bias on my part. I am a corn tortilla lover to the bone.

rwj

We are soul mates!

Give a choice, I'll always choose corn over flour tortillas!

Both for me guys. I like the fact that both are out there and that I can choose between them depending on the mood I'm in.

[Jenise]

Sharon, you get fresh tortillas in England now? What a change from 20 years ago when I lived in Manchester. I used to have a friend send them to me from Los Angeles via interoffice mail. Always got there fresher than any other alternative!

Karen, you should go, maybe you'll run into Merle Haggard there. I just read last night that he lives in your town.

Yes he does, I even used to get pedicures from his beautiful daughter, Kelly. Then she went into hostessing at restaurants, and since then has left town. Don't know what she is doing now but she was a knock-out.

We used to have permission to dock our boat, at his private dock at Lake Shasta, but we no longer have that toy. He does have a following here in Redding but I'm not one of the followers. I did see him recently at the Branding Iron Cafe which is located at the stock yards. He is looking very elderly now....and I don't know if he ever performs anymore.

Well, I will have to give them a try when all the hoop-la dies down. They are in a brand new beautiful area where Kohl's and Trader Joe's are also opening. Thanks for all the comments. I like the idea of the taco bowl without the shell. We have a Bandito Burrito two minutes from our home and I love to get the "fixins" in a paper bowl. Their shredded chicken breast is very well seasoned. I have it over lettuce, black beans, tomatoes, peppers, topped with cilantro, a few slices of avocado, and more hot peppers. Then I splash hot sauce and green sauce over the top. Little calories and a whole bunch of flavor.

Chipotle's Mexican Grill is opening tomorrow. I have never been to one. Anyone familiar with this chain and what do you think?
Oh, they are giving free food away on their opening day. Their comment to the reporter was that they don't want anyone to waste their money to "try them". Apparently, they feel their food is great and we will be back.

Is it an Eastern based chain or Western based chain?


That will tell you plenty, IMHO.



[Native Californian...I was weened on Mexican food.]

You have to put Chipotle in perspective...it's market is the fast food market. It's not going to compare to legitimate dining establishments, but for what it is, and bearing that in mind, I think it is good. It does tend to be a little on the salty side (Ok, sometimes, even on the VERY salty side). But for $6, and the two minutes it takes to get your food, it is good.

I limit my fast food and I don't go to BK, McDs, etc....ever. But sometimes I just want something cheap and fast. For that I only have two places: Subway and Chipotle.

And as some have mentioned, I go for the "Bols" (not misspelled), too. No need for the flabby, tasteless tortilla they offer. Plus, one can mix the ingredients in the Bol and not have burritos with large patches of rice or beans, etc.