I found out a couple days ago that they built a chipotle relatively close to where I live (New Jersey). I was pretty excited, since I hadn't been to one since I left Denver almost a year ago.
It was a bit different though, first there weren't nearly as many people there as there would be in Denver. I also noticed that the music was noticeably different, I think I prefer the normal mix of music they have. Lastly, when I got my burrito, it was about two-thirds the size they normally were. I'm not terribly upset that it was smaller (I could probably lose a bit of weight anyway), but the fact that it was still the same price was annoying.
Anyway, I'd just like to recommend that people check this restaurant out if they get the chance, which might be easier since they seem to be expanding.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
There was just a hep A outbreak at a Chipotle near me. Other than that, it's good.
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
Chipotle is great. They're basically In 'n' Out for burritos. You can order a quesadilla, but it isn't on their menu. Their ingredients are all really good quality, and the one near me gives free drinks to students. Good stuff.
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: Chipotle is great. They're basically In 'n' Out for burritos. You can order a quesadilla, but it isn't on their menu. Their ingredients are all really good quality, and the one near me gives free drinks to students. Good stuff.
Having never been to California, I wouldn't know what in 'n' out is like. I like to think of chipotle as the subway of burritos.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Where in Jersey? I'm Exit 9.
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
Relatively, the food quality at a Chipotle is better than that of a Subway. I made the In 'n' Out comparison because of the simplistic nature of the menu.
I'm not huge on In 'n' Out. Very overrated.
Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
I tend to prefer Qdoba, but Chipotle is also fairly good.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
Chipotle has far superior guacamole to Qdoba. It's some of the best guacamole I've ever had (including my mother's and she's from Mazatlan Mexico).
Posted by Jon Boy (Member # 4284) on :
Last time my wife and I were visiting her family in Denver, we got Qdoba and Chipotle for lunch and compared them. If I remember right, we all vastly preferred the Chipotle.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
If you find yourself going more than once a week, you might want to read up on their nutrition facts. I got a little concerned when I learned their expansion had been serviced by McDonalds, although there is no link between them now.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
Chipotle is amazing. There's one right by my campus and they too give free drinks to students. I love it. I can't wait to go back. It's on my list of my first meals back in DC.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
::commits acts of burrito snobbery::
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Okay, but seriously. Chipotle is only good in comparison with other fast food/national "Mexican" joints.
I recommend exploring Burritophile and seeing if you can find something better near where you live/work/visit.
I also recommend ditching burritos and becoming a taco enthusiast. Burritos are tasty, but tacos are divine.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
I live in San Diego. 'Nuff said.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Tijuana street tacos. Yes, there was a dude a few feet away barking and saying that we were eating dog, but you know, they were so good, I didn't care.
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
quote:Originally posted by Zalmoxis: Okay, but seriously. Chipotle is only good in comparison with other fast food/national "Mexican" joints.
I recommend exploring Burritophile and seeing if you can find something better near where you live/work/visit.
I also recommend ditching burritos and becoming a taco enthusiast. Burritos are tasty, but tacos are divine.
Oh, I agree. I live in Southern California and I will always pick the local shop for authenticity, but a lot of the time when I eat Chipotle it feels less like I'm going to have a heart attack. Even though I know there are still a ton of calories.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Emp, where do you live?
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
re: street tacos-- Now there's a great way to catch Hep A, especially in Mexico City
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Jim-Me:
Yeah, I wouldn't do that now. This was in 1990 and I was a clueless teenager.
But they were very good. I started with the shredded pork in a corn tortilla with pickled carrots and onions and ended with the flank steak, cilantro and salsa verde in a flour tortilla.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
There is a trailer making tacos for a soccer match on our way home from church every sunday now that it's nicer weather. I see them patting the tortillas by hand and think about not breaking the sabbath.
Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
quote:Originally posted by Zalmoxis: the flank steak, cilantro and salsa verde in a flour tortilla.
*drools*
that's good stuff right there...
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
I'm also a big fan of the classic shredded or ground beef, lettuce and queso in a corn tortilla that is then fried until the tortilla is crunchy. There's a place in Pacheco (Calif.) that serves those. Awesome. They also do a mean chile colorado.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I like pork. It's the only meat I really like at Chipotle and there used to be a carne asada stand near my husband's office that we went to once.
Posted by Mr.Gumby (Member # 6303) on :
quote: I like to think of chipotle as the subway of burritos. [/QB]
Except Chipotle can really advertise healthy choices. Have you seen them prepare their rice? Loaded with butter!
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
You know, somehow they seem a lot more keen on letting me see them grill the meat than showing me how much butter they put in the rice.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
The rice doesn't have butter in it. It's vegan.
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
quote:Originally posted by Mr.Gumby:
quote: I like to think of chipotle as the subway of burritos.
Except Chipotle can really advertise healthy choices. Have you seen them prepare their rice? Loaded with butter! [/QB]
Well, of course they're different. I was comparing them in the way the food gets constructed, you walk along a sneeze guard and pick out what you want in it from what they show. I like Subway for it's crisp fresh vegetables, and it's dietary menu.
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester: Where in Jersey? I'm Exit 9.
I'm off Exit 135 on the parkway.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
Are there really vegans who like to eat at Chipotle? I should think the racks of roasting meat would be a bit of a turn off.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
I'm vegan, and I eat there once every few months. Then again, most people on campus eat there a few times a week.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: I'm not huge on In 'n' Out. Very overrated.
TAKE THAT BACK!!
Living in vermont i wish i had an In 'n' Out, no one here has ever been to one, or to 7-11, or Wendy's, Panda Express, and so many more... i hate this place! can't they eunderstand i don't like BurgerKing..can't they see it?... can't they?
Posted by divaesefani (Member # 3763) on :
Big City Burrito is the best burrito shop there is, at least in my opinion! I think it's way better than Chipotle or Qdoba because I feel my burrito is more customized so it tastes better. There are also more unique items like the potato burrito and the breakfast burrito. The hot sauce bar is a cool feature. It holds probably 30 different bottles of sauce in different brands and spiciness. Anyone who comes to Colorado should definitely try Big City!
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
quote:Originally posted by Xann.:
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: I'm not huge on In 'n' Out. Very overrated.
TAKE THAT BACK!!
Living in vermont i wish i had an In 'n' Out, no one here has ever been to one, or to 7-11, or Wendy's, Panda Express, and so many more... i hate this place! can't they eunderstand i don't like BurgerKing..can't they see it?... can't they?
I will admit, for fast food, they're serviceable. But I hear most people proclaim them as the best burger ever, which they are not. Far from it.
And none of those other places you listed are cream of the crop, either. Try using yelp.com or something, man. I'm sure a good burger's around you somewhere.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: Chipotle is great. They're basically In 'n' Out for burritos.
.. Can't say I make the same comparison. Chipotle, to me, is a fairly generic chain that serves "mexican" for whitey.
Don't get me wrong, I kinda like "mexican" but it's wholly unremarkable food 'round here.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
The only thing that bothers me about the Chipotle near me is that it's the only place in the town I live where the employees are at all likely not to speak English.
I understand it's not absolutely necessary to speak a lot of English to serve burritos on an assembly line, but when you don't understand "a little sour cream," or "no lettuce," then I'd say you don't qualify to be a server. I speak enough Spanish to order that way, but that would just make me look like a jerk- I shouldn't have to do it.
Also, the salad dressing they have there is DIVINE. You can ask for it in your burrito or on your tacos, and I highly suggest that you do try it.
Posted by Xann. (Member # 11482) on :
Nope, no good fast-food(haha, reminds me of jumbo-shirp...whats the word for this?) around here, or anywhere near here. I used to visit california when i was younger, it was fast-food heaven there. We don't even have any arcades out here any more, or mini-putt. eh.
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
quote:Originally posted by Xann.:
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: I'm not huge on In 'n' Out. Very overrated.
TAKE THAT BACK!!
Living in vermont i wish i had an In 'n' Out, no one here has ever been to one, or to 7-11, or Wendy's, Panda Express, and so many more... i hate this place! can't they eunderstand i don't like BurgerKing..can't they see it?... can't they?
You've got to be kidding about Wendy's and 7-11, those are everywhere.
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I had Chipotle for lunch today. Darn you kids!
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
I have never understood why people think that "authentic" mexican food is so good. It is basically beans and corn tortillas prepared the cheapest way possible. Oh, and an occasional goat...nasty!
It is, I suppose, good cheap food, but doesn't hold a candle to a great steak...
Posted by EmpSquared (Member # 10890) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: I have never understood why people think that "authentic" mexican food is so good. It is basically beans and corn tortillas prepared the cheapest way possible. Oh, and an occasional goat...nasty!
It is, I suppose, good cheap food, but doesn't hold a candle to a great steak...
I'm not actually a big fan of a straight up "great steak".
That's a bit oversimplified too, and seeing as how a great steak isn't in the realm of good cheap food, I call shenanigans on your comparison.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
quote:Originally posted by MEC: I'm off Exit 135 on the parkway.
Clark! That's maybe 20 minutes from my door. I'm by Rutgers.
Posted by Architraz Warden (Member # 4285) on :
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: The rice doesn't have butter in it. It's vegan.
Correct, the liquid they pour 1/2 a cup or so into the rice is Margarita Mix.
Chipotle rice = white rice, cilantro, salt, sugar, and lime.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: I have never understood why people think that "authentic" mexican food is so good. It is basically beans and corn tortillas prepared the cheapest way possible. Oh, and an occasional goat...nasty!
It is, I suppose, good cheap food, but doesn't hold a candle to a great steak...
You've obviously never had real Mexican food. My husband and I frequent a Mexican/Salvadorian taqueria that is simply out of this world (El Charrito Caminante for anyone in DC). Comparing Chipotle to a good taqueria is like comparing Panda Express to a proper noodle shop in San Francisco's Chinatown. And I do like Chipotle, but it's not the same.
And what's wrong with goat? I typically get a goat taco & a beef taco for dinner for all of $4, which is significantly cheaper than our local Chipotles. It's SOO good. Goat, like lamb, is really bad if it's cooked poorly, but it's probably the tastiest meat (again, with lamb) if cooked well. You can always tell a good restaurant by how they cook their goat/lamb.
Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: I'm not huge on In 'n' Out. Very overrated.
quote:Originally posted by EmpSquared: I'm not actually a big fan of a straight up "great steak".
Wow, me and EmpSquared are like twins in this thread.
By the way, I live in San Francisco, so I mock all your taqueria options. Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Do I get to mock yours, because I am in SD? I don't mock them, I pity them. I pity the foo! Of course, I can only basically have the beans, but still... There's a brilliant vegan restaurant that is east asian/burrito fusion.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I've found the food options here in DC almost as good as those in the Bay Area. Really, all that matters is getting a large enough immigrant population to support real restaurants. There's fewer in number, but those that exist are nearly as good. I'd say any quality issues are more due to having lack of farm-fresh produce than anything else. Prices are higher, though.
Do pity us for lack of In-N-Out.
Posted by Saephon (Member # 9623) on :
I'm stuffing my face with food as I read this, and this thread is STILL making me hungrier. I love Chipotle, but I also adore the smaller burrito places we have here. Comparisons are futile as I simply have different moods when it comes to dinner. ("Mmm I want some junk, fake Mexican tonight!" )
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
quote:Originally posted by lobo: I have never understood why people think that "authentic" mexican food is so good. It is basically beans and corn tortillas prepared the cheapest way possible. Oh, and an occasional goat...nasty!
When you ate this "authentic" mexican food were you perchance actually sampling actual mexican "prison" food?
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tante Shvester:
quote:Originally posted by MEC: I'm off Exit 135 on the parkway.
Clark! That's maybe 20 minutes from my door. I'm by Rutgers.
That's awesome, I'm assuming that you live by the Newark campus then? What do you do there?
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Newark campus? I said Exit 9. That's the New Brunswick campus.
[suspiciously] Are you sure you're from New Jersey? [/suspiciously]
I don't do anything at Rutgers, I just live near there. I'm a night nurse at a nursing home in Hudson County. I live in Middlesex County. And you live in Union County, you Exit 135-er, you! My son goes to high school off Exit 137.
Posted by MEC (Member # 2968) on :
Sorry, I reversed the order of exits on the turnpike around exit 11 in my mind.
I live in Westfield for now, though I'll probably move out once I get my associates in Engineering. I've been taking classes part-time at UCC while working in Morristown. I'm not sure where I'll go from here, possibly NJIT.
Posted by lobo (Member # 1761) on :
I have had "authentic" mexican food. I am not saying it is nasty, but it is not great...
To each his own. Some people really like "authentic" food from Scotland, and Norway too.
I really don't understand the goat thing though. It must be an aquired taste...
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
Well I mean it's just that "basically beans and corn tortillas prepared the cheapest way possible" only fairly describes a minimum of real mexican fare.
Posted by scifibum (Member # 7625) on :
The most mouth-watering movie I ever saw was "tortilla soup" which demonstrated some high end mexican cuisine. This would be a more valid comparison to a great steak.
If you don't like the cheapest authentic mexican food, it doesn't mean you wouldn't like other authentic mexican food.
cheap mexican tacos compared to Kraft mac & cheese? Or a McDonald's cheeseburger? I'd take the tacos.
Posted by Samprimary (Member # 8561) on :
I guess you can give the el cheapo eats that much — the mexican menu can go far on a limited budget because it makes such good use of basic foodstuffs.
But the two types of messkin I really like are
1. The kind you get at a genuine mex oasis where they serve margaritas in bell jars and make their own sauces and chile verde to put on everything.
2. the fruity high-end mexican 'fusion' dishes where they export everything that works for mexican food and use it to revolutionize haute cuisine.
This is actually a subject I could blabber on about more than I used to blabber on about politics, so, I best be careful.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
'Nuff said.
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I don't mock them, I pity them. I pity the foo! Of course, I can only basically have the beans, but still... There's a brilliant vegan restaurant that is east asian/burrito fusion.