Chipotle.

I went to a Chipotle for the first time last week. To my surprise, it was actually very tasty. I knew nothing about the place, except that it's a chain, it's owned by McDonald's, and it seems to have some health consciousness about their food and some contemporary ideas about presentation and architecture. It took me a moment, but I soon realized what their model is -- the California-style assembly burrito, where you move along a counter and tell them what to put in your burrito. (I'm told that the assembly-line is a Southern California invention, mostly likely from San Diego.) I like that better than (say) High-Tech Burrito or 360-Degree Burrito (two competing modern chains) where you have to give the whole mouthful of an order at once. Another good point is that it's quick since all the meats are waiting for you, precut (yet the turnover is such they're fresh and hot). And the dining room is McDonald's sized, not tiny-takeout sized, which is a plus.

Downsides: small menu, just 4 meat choices plus vegetarian. (HTB also has shrimp and fish, which I like, and real Mexican places have la lengua and los sesos as well, although Mad Cow probably got rid of the latter. I like lengua, though.) No choice of tortilla (HTB has 4 tortilla choices including low-carb whole wheat). No self-serve salsas out on the counter, in fact, no condiments at all. (The salsas may be available by request from the counter.)

I had a steak burrito, no rice, no beans, with mild salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole ($1.40 extra) and I have to say it was pretty darn good. [Berch on Food]

He's right, you know. Yummy.

12:13:35 PM     leave/read comments []

Too close to too many chickens.

Kind of says it all.

11:22:34 AM     leave/read comments []