A few weeks back, I got together with a group of friends from high school. We went back and forth about where to eat before the movies, and my vote for Hooters was vetoed. What can I say? I’ve never been, didn’t know there was one so close by and I’m certain this is a good “bucket list” item to cross off my list of restaurants to visit. I did, however, get promised a raincheck. So where did we eat? Chipotle. Another place I’ve never been to before.
We grabbed a table as soon as we walked in, and since there were a lot of us, we opted to go order in shifts so as not to lose our table. When it was my turn to go, Beth offered to help me out.
“I need a chaperone to order?” I asked.
“Well, you might.”
She was right. I was completely lost when I looked at the menu board, It’s not exactly self-explanatory. After I figured out the basic concept, it reminds me a little of Quiznos and Subway. Even though you might order an Italian sub, the employee waits as you tell them each item you want in it, you know?
Chipotle is a Mexican restaurant (as if you didn’t already guess), with an emphasis on fresh and clean flavors (holla!). Everything is made to order and not sitting around congealing. A+ for that. They have burritos, burrito bowls (same concept, but without the tortilla), salads and tacos, along with the requisite chips, a variety of salsas and guacamole.
I opted for a salad. Heck, the whole table did, we’re such good girls. And I piled it with kidney beans, carnitas (braised and shredded pork), fresh salsa and a sprinkling of cheese. No dressing. And so not needed. I might have inhaled the whole bowl. It was so good, and completely guilt-free clean eating. Love.
Now the chips. I do believe the chips deserve a mention all on their own. They were sitting in a warmer, in individual brown bag servings, and they were so good that we might have had four bags at the table. They are sprinkled with a sea salt, which totally speaks to the saltaholic in me. More flavor impact, less salt needed.
This is a Coke joint, and drink refills are free. There is a very reasonably priced kids’ menu, with four meals available, only one of which was over $4, and they include a side item, chips and a drink.
The first Chipotle restaurant opened up in 1993, and they have a heavy slant towards sustainability and integrity when it comes to food and its producers. All their pork and chicken is 100% naturally raised (and 85% of their beef), and six years before it became trendy, Chipotle started using zero trans fat frying oil. Their black beans are 40% organic, and as of 2007, they stopped using cheese and sour cream that contains rBGH. When it comes to “fast food,” you don’t often see a restaurant (let alone a chain) with such a commitment to food, the environment and the people (both who they serve and who they employ). And the fact that the food is good after all that? A definite bonus.
Project 365
October 18, 2010, Photos #180, 181 and 182
I couldn’t let National Chocolate Cupcake Day go by without celebrating appropriately, could I? I will say, however, that I was highly disappointed that the TWO cupcake shops in town were both closed today. We had to make do with cupcakes from the grocery store. Madeline picked them out. Mine was three shades of disgusting, although it was awful pretty to look at it. Next time, more advance planning and making them myself. In the meantime, we did our part.
I have heard oh so much about chipotle but we don’t have one of those around where I live. We used to have Moe’s, which I think is SIMILAR but not near as fresh. It just sounds so good!!! I got some cupcakes from the store the other day and they were pretty gross, too. Oh, well! Didn’t need them anyway. But that chocolate face…too cute! :-)
Chipotle is one of the few fast food restaurants I’ll allow myself to eat in. The chicken is actually REAL, you can order pretty fresh ingredients, and it tastes GOOD. Glad you got to experience it.
And yeah. Supermarket cupcakes are the WORST.
WOW. i love the dirty pics of Madeline. how does she do it? she must be saving some for later thats why its all over.
I love love Chipotle. We used to get lunch from the one in Clifton. The Husband wants to go to the one in East Hanover. He’s never been.
Sounds like a great place to eat. I would have voted against hooters too (have never been to one and don’t care to go to one).
My friends daughter works at a hooters and she’s a boob-la-con…….If she’s a standard of their help – count me out.
For 6.25 bucks for burrito I feel visit to chipotle is not worth it. More than half the content of the burrito is rice. So why is chipotle food considered healthy?
THE ONLY THING I KNOW I LOVE CHIPOTLE AND MY TWO UNCLES IS TOP MANAGER FOR CHIPOTLE!!!!!!!!!!!! GO CHIPOTLE!!!!! QUE VIVA MEXICO Y A TODOS LOS PAISES HISPANOS
Does anyone here know if the Chipotle restaurants use GMO corn in their chips or use GMO beet sugar in dressings, mean marinades, etc.? The salad sounds wonderful and without salad dressing would eliminate GMO soybean, cottonseed, or canola oil (all these are 95% GMO’s now). Olive oil is not GMO. Regardless, it does sound like they are trying to serve healthy food. Love the fact that they are using only non-rsbt milk/cheese products! Thank you for your review! Way to go Chipotle!!!
Chipotle in Hyannis mass I can’t say enough about the food and the staff are AWSOME Please bring on to the MASHPEE COMMONS BELIEVE ME IT WILL BE A BIG HIT !!!!
Very unprofessional. I used to love to eat at chipotle and thought this would b a good place for employment. I was so excited to become part of the chipotle team and worked there for two days. The manager had hired 4 people for 1 position without the knowledge of the four employees hired. I was put on a trial basis for two weeks and only worked for two shifts before I was let go for no reason ( which is fine) But the real problem comes in when I NEVER got paid for the hours I worked. I must of just been taken completely out of the system because I also never received a w-2 form showing I even worked 1 hour there. I’ve never experienced this with any other employer even if I only had done an orientation I still should of been paid for that time and I WOULD of received a w-2 form showing this. It’s very sad to me because as I said earlier I loved to eat here and was convinced by chipotle managers this was a wonderful organizations to work for. Boy was I fool. I will NEVER give them my business again nor will my family and friends. Just want to inform others of how wrong they did me and how unprofessional this company really is. DONT BE FOOLED like I was.