I had the plant-based chorizo the other day. I can't really say I tasted the chorizo except that there was some added spiciness to my burrito. Maybe I'll do a half sofritas/half chorizo going forward.

The brisket is reheated on the grill at a high heat which makes the brisket dry with a burnt taste but not like burnt ends. I would not buy again.

Had Chipotle twice recently. While on the go in Sarasota, FL, I tried the guajillo steak. It was very tasty, much better than the regular steak, but not sure if it's worth the higher cost compared to regular steak (and even higher cost compared to my usual sofritas).

Last night near home, I tried the chicken al pastor. I enjoyed the heat with a hint of sweetness that the regular chicken lacks. If they keep it on the regular menu, it would become my second choice if I don't feel like having sofritas.

That said, whenever given a choice, the kids will choose Qdoba over Chipotle 90% of the time.

I agree with your kids. I would choose Qdoba over Chipotle 90% of the time.

For a burrito, it's Chipotle 10 times out of 10.
For nachos or quesadilla, it's Qdoba 10 times out of 10. (pretty much because Chipotle doesn't even offer them)
For a burrito bowl, probably a toss-up. Slight lean towards Qdoba since they offer so many more ingredients.

Chipotle offers the quesadilla in the app only.

Most Qdobas in my area are temporarily, if not permanently closed. Is it the same everywhere else?

Not in my area with a new location opening last year

I’ve been in the US staying in hotels without in-house options. I’ve had chipotle 5 times in the last 3 days.

I also appreciate the new steak.

The flavors on the new steak are good but it always seems way over cooked, like it sits there for hours waiting for people to buy it.

I’m also mad at chipotle… entrees now cost 1625 points up from 1250… fine, story of everything these days… but if you redeem a free entree reward, they apply it to the cheapest eligible item in your order. Order a $12 guajillo steak bowl by itself and you’re good to go. Order a $12 guajillo steak bowl and a $8 tofu bowl and guess which one it’ll apply to. I didn’t even notice at first because I’m usually buying for two… way to stick it to couples and families that are buying a lot from you Chipotle.

I think that's how most rewards work. They apply it to the least expensive item. You do have the option of placing two orders.

Starbucks at least makes it easy to pick which item to apply stars to when you order in the app.

Pretty much Starbucks was the only one to credit the more expensive item (I'm sure that's going to go away in February). I had a BOGO coupon from buying a $30 Chipotle gift card, and our cheapest item was reduced to $0.

Far from it. Looking through my phone apps, Starbucks and Dunkin credit the highest eligible item, as does Wawa. Taco Bell and McDonalds are slightly different in that you get to (or really, have to) pick exactly what to want to apply the promo/free item to. But Chipotle is the only one I know that says oh, if you just buy one item you can use your reward for it, but if you’re a better customer and buy more stuff at the same time, then we’re going to cut your reward value by a third and hope you don’t notice or care. It’s a poor practice.

McAlister’s, Schlotzsky’s and Chili’s apply to the lowest priced item. Place 2 orders to maximize the value.

There is a small QSR chain (started in Utah, but now mainly west of the Mississippi in mostly metropolitan areas) called Costa Vida that serves up pretty good burritos and such. A great alternative to Chipotle or Qdoba in my area.

"Chipotle has developed robots to ensure all its servings are the same size. "
 

Article in the Daily Mail describing how Chipotle is automating its restaurants:
Chipotle has found a creepy way to ensure all serving sizes are the same - and workers are not happy

Their avocado processing robot is called the "Autocado".

I went to Chipotle yesterday for the first time in months. I had a salad with smoked brisket. It was incredibly good. However, not cheap, but the despite what it says above, it was huge - the kid loaded on the meat, beans, fajita veggies and cheese. With a side of guac and a small soda. $20+

The one perk of Qdoba is that guac is included in the price. I also love their pickled onions and jalapeños. (But their burritos are just meh.)

Barbacoa has replaced the smoked brisket. Good, but not as good as the latter. The woman who served me said that the next special will be, IIRC, honey chipotle chicken.

Too bad there is no Chipotle on Saipan. :(

Between 2010 and 2018, I used to enjoy their two locations in Dublin, CA. The newer one was near Whole Foods, within reasonable walking distance of the Dublin / Pleasanton BART station. :cool:

The other was in West Dublin, across from Recreational Equipment, Incorporated (REI), near the Safeway supermarket, and a "slightly" longer walk from the West Dublin BART station. :)

While I prefer taquerias and Mexican restaurants in sf area, our son and his friends all love CMG. I don’t fully get it and I just don’t say anything. He spends most saturdays with his future ex and I think her mother has even gone to fetch chipotle for him and the future ex.

Four years later, it's still true. We've gotten Chipotle twice in the past three weeks.

The newer location is much cleaner, brighter, and they make the food right. The only knock is that they charge an extra 50 cents for a double-wrapped burrito.

The older location is dirty, and the employees working the line all look like it's their first day on the job not knowing what to do nor how to properly wrap a burrito. I'll be avoiding this location going forward.

I'm glad I found this thread. I love Chipotle. My spouse and kids are not fans. I travel 100+ nights a year for work, so I eat at Chipotle at least once per trip.

Pros:

• Better food quality than competitors (Moe's, Qdoba, etc.)
• Quicker service, typically.

Cons

• Becoming scarily inconsistent
• Staff ranges from friendly and engaged to "absolutely could not care less"
• Must be eaten immediately. Not good for UberEats, DoorDash, etc.

What gets me the most is the inconsistency. The food products are always the same. The portion sizes, customer service, and cleanliness are almost laughably inconsistent. I've been in spotless locations with staff that are just short of counting out the corn kernels they're spooning into your bowl. On the flipside, I've seen several busy locations just trying to catch up building 4-pound bowls, but the countertops and tables look like they're 3 months overdue for a pressure wash. But man, when they're "on", there's no better place for a quick meal.


It's a coin toss is the ice/soda machine is working fully. It's a coin toss if the chips are fully cooked. My preferred protein is chicken. Steak can easily dry out from being overcooked or sitting at the food prep station.

The new red chimichurri is insanely good. Their guac is simple... avocado, onion, salt, cilantro. Same recipe I use at home. So good... no unnecessary ingredients.

One of the best things about Chipotle is the guacamole. It's fresh! When guac tastes like lime or lemon it's a pretty good indication it was made yesterday or two days ago or last week or worse!

I have never been to a Chipotle...on one hand you guys are making me want to try and on the other, you are scaring me away!

Neither have I. The pictures of their food I've seen have kept me away.

Live a little! ;)

I think the pictures on their ads look good!

IDK...it might be a gateway drug. Next thing you know I'll be trying a McRib. 😜

I find Chipotle food to be bland but I usually buy at the taqueria less than a half mile from the closest Chipotle location.

If you think fresh is a gateway to processed.

BTW, their salads are great.

Meh. It doesn't look anything like Mexican food. The biggest single turn-off for me is the abundance of white rice everywhere. Really? White rice? :rolleyes:

I'm not sure I'd be offended by white rice, when brown is available or none at all. Anyway, I know where I'm going for lunch tomorrow (already have plans for today). :D

I know that & I have plenty of fairly authentic places to go for Mexican food....this is Southern California! But it looks good for American Mexican-ish food. And I have no problem with white rice...isnt that how most Spanish rice dishes start out? I do see brown rice as an option though.

It just seems wrong to someone who eats a LOT of Mexican food. LOL.

I love the McRib, I wish I could find a way I could buy a similar product or find a decent chopped pork patty that I can add McD's Nugget BBQ sauce with sliced onions and pickle chips.

Being in South Florida, I can drive 40+ miles to Homestead and get authentic Mexican food from places opened to serve all the migrant workers that work the farms down there.

When it comes to Chipotle, I usually just get 3 Crispy tacos with steak (you can ask for it off the grill, but there may be a wait), easy lettuce, mild pico de gallo, and lots of shredded cheese, with a side of chips and guac.

this - in the sense that I wouldn’t eat at chipotle myself. Yet I’ve gone because my son loves it. He eats normal burritos and quesadillas… and he’s a wannabe athlete so he definitely is mindful of healthy dining. So chipotle works for him because of how he customizes the bowl. I’ve gone to fetch it for him while mentally shaking my head. They do have a great online order system.

Given what you routinely admit to ingesting on a regular basis, I think this comment quite precious. As you yourself might say, "Bless your heart." :D

Here is my healthy salad from Chipotle today: Greens (Romaine, baby kale, and baby spinach), chicken al pastor, fajita veggies, fresh tomato salsa, pinto beans, corn salsa and cheese with a little chipotle honey vinaigrette and guac.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bbd22bc76.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b1b6e53e6.jpeg

And, it was delicious! :)

If I wanted healthier eating, then CMG makes sense as I already stated that my son eats it for his goals for a healthy athletic diet. Bless your heart yourself with this healthier meal.

I am pissed off at Torchy’s for changing their kid’s menu this week and making everything a “combo.” Now, if I want a grilled chicken and cheese taco, I have to pay full price, which is absurd as I can eat at a full-service restaurant for the same price and get more food. Perhaps, I’ll start adding Chipotle to my rotation as I generally have liked their quesadillas and accoutrements.