Not a hater. Chipotle is fine (if way too much cilantro in everything), and it would definitely be a favorite if I lived in a place otherwise without access to good Mexican food.
But as with people waiting 45 minutes to eat at PF Changs in the Bay Area, I don’t understand San Francisco office workers standing in 20 minute lunch lines at Chipotle when there are a half dozen just as good or much better options around.
About McDonald’s:
I like their stuff but Houston has a huge array of Tex-Mex, Mex-Mex, Mix-Mex, etc. If I lived in an area without such riches or traveled a lot, I’d like Chipotle even more.
Bodega’s Taco Shop, in the Museum/Medical Center area, has a menu similar to Chipotle but with a few more options. And a full bar, where they make some excellent margaritas!
I enjoy Chipotle food although why I would want a burrito the size of my head is beyond me. So yes, the food is good but it’s no Nando’s. Nando’s is the future, people!
And the chipotle Tabasco sauce is indeed divine.
I don’t understand this either. The authentic places are probably cheaper, too.
I live in a area with a very large Latin population and I have no reason to ever go to Chipotle or the like. There are no Taco Bell’s in Mexico. There are no PF Chang’s in China. That is not an accident.
I quit going to Chipotle the first time they fucking charged me for chips.
Is there a burrito joint anywhere else on the planet that does this?
Chicken burrito. Extra rice, no beans, hot salsa, sour cream.
That’s my death-row meal if my mom isn’t available to make her Chicken Adobo.
I don’t really think it’s a matter of authenticity. Nobody here is claiming that Chipotle offers an “authentic” Mexican food experience (the definition of which can be endlessly debated anyway, and likely has been in other threads here).
They just make food that many people (myself included) think tastes really good. That’s all. I love a good real Mexican meal, and I love Chipotle burritos, and the two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Mmmm, Chipotle. Brown rice, pinto beans, some veggies, chicken, fresh salsa, cheese, guac, and lots of lettuce. Yum.
I usually either get a bowl that I don’t really finish, or a burrito to eat at home so I can save the second half for lunch the next day.
They do have Chili’s in Mexico, though, actually.
Chili’s is American food, though. Not that I agree with the premise on restaurant quality, but it doesn’t fit the pattern.
Lack of authenticity is a plus for me, I loathe real Mexican food usually. Chipotole is the only thing close that I can stomach, and not just stomach, but it’s one of the only fast food places I actually like (and like a lot).
You guys are all wrong. If you want an excellent burrito from a chain place, Freebirds is your only real option. I only go to Chipotle if there is no Freebirds in the area. A Monster Reved up is the only way to go. There may be better local places, but for a chain, the 'bird can’t be beat.
I’ve never had Chipotle’s. If I want fast food Mexican, I go to Taco Bell. Sometimes I go to Taco Time. I much prefer the real deal places. Javier’s, La Raza, and Super Burrito Express are some good places near where I live. Mexican is probably my favorite ethnic cuisine.
Freebird’s is one of those better Austin options I alluded to, but they’re barely in three states. Not an option for most folks. Pity.
I live in California, and I have never eaten at Chipotle because, well… I live in California.
The funny thing is that I really enjoy P.F. Chang’s. I just wouldn’t consider it “Chinese food.” It’s fusion. Then again, most places serving “chinese food” are even less authentic than P.F. Chang’s.
Not sure I’ve eaten at Chipolte’s before but Qdoba was nothing short of a salt lick with condiments on the side. I really tried to like it but it was just awful. Tried a number of them.
“how would you like that”? “rinsed off please”.
Slightly better than 5 guys-and-some-overpriced-peanuts which made me crave a Wendy’s meal and $5 of my money back.
I’m a Californian in exile on the East Coast, and I am not a fan. The meat has a nasty canned/dog foody texture to it, and the balance of ingredients just seems off. Plus, if you let them, they will stuff the thing 90% full with rice. Who wants a piece of bread full of rice?
Plus, I hate cold cheese on a burrito. You are supposed to steam that stuff along with the tortilla, so it is gooey and delicious. There is way too much cold stuff in a Chipotle burrito. The lettuce, sour cream and guac is supposed to be a nifty contrast to the gooey warm goodness, not the main event. If I wanted to much down on cold shredded cheese and chilled lettuce, I’d go to Taco Bell.
Nevertheless, I eat it once a week, It’s all I’ve got.
You can ask them to melt the cheese with the tortilla
But yeah, Chipotle is alright. I have better options around me though.