Random thought...

"Pessimippopotamus" (pessimippopotamus)
12/10/2013 at 22:33 • Filed to: Foodlopnik

I don't get Chipotle and why it's so popular. All I like it for is the fact that they can load you up with tons of food, but they have so many cold stuff that all their food come out with uneven temperature. One bite might contain warm meat and another bite might have ice cold salsa. That's no good, isn't it?

DISCUSSION (31)

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:34

Maybe your local one needs to get their shit together?

For Sweden > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:34

It's good. Not great, but good. I like that they have online ordering.

Pessimippopotamus > Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur
12/10/2013 at 22:35

I've been to several ones, geographically apart, and they're all like that. It can't be helped. Their condiments have to be in refrigerated containers for health issues.

AM3R > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:37

I like it because I can get it fairly quick, it tastes better than just getting a burger, and it fills me up. My local chipotle is great, I actually like the difference in hot meats/cold salsa because I tend to put hot sauce on it

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:37

I thought you were dissing Chipotle as a sauce.

I started sharpening pitchforks.

I don't know what this Chipotle TM is, but it sounds like nearly every franchised burrito joint I've been to. I normally oven heat burrito's when I get home to make sure everything is nice and hot.

Velocity- Peuguette Connoisseur > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:40

Well then.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:42

Ever eaten a burger with fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion?

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:42

I love Chipotle

Ian Duer (320b) > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:43

I prefer Qdoba which is basically the same type of psuedo-premium burrito/taco joint. I feel it has better flavor and I've never had this "cold bite" problem you speak of. Not like it matters too much when talking about wanna-be good food.

Grindintosecond > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:48

I'm more of a Qdobe fan. Where I live theres a Five Guys next to a Chipotle's in the same building. So it's really a toss up but either way you're getting a lump in your stomach. Qdoba or Moe's is my better choice.....but there's a Smashburger close by too and that is very nice.

midengineer > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:57

Been there once, their barbacoa was not barbacoa… That made me sad.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 22:59

Because Chipotle guts. That's why.

Their new chain, Shophouse , sounds a lot more interesting.

Manuél Ferrari > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/10/2013 at 23:01

I'm not sure why it's a big deal to have cold bites either.

My problem with it is how they seem to give you less meat now than they used to. I have to pay for double meat to get full. For $6 something plus tax it would be nice to not have to pay extra to be full.

GhostZ > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:03

They were one of the first restaurants to advertise around disclosing the locations they get their foods, bringing in as many local foods as possible, and using non-cruel methods of obtaining meat.

Combine that with the fact that quite a few first-time Chipotle goers haven't had burritos better than Taco Johns, and you've got a winning formula.

I don't know if any of it is true, or matters, but Chipotle's business model is designed to make people freak out about their food, similar to how Apple does it. It works on some people, doesn't work on others. I personally think their quality has suffered in the last 3-4 years, and more importantly, the quality differs greatly from store to store, more than you should expect.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Manuél Ferrari
12/10/2013 at 23:03

You have Hothead Burritos before? Fucking awesome.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:07

I kinda like the unevenness.

Idk, Pancheros is better.

VicVinegar > Grindintosecond
12/10/2013 at 23:16

Ah I love Smashburger, I had one nearby my school, but they seem to be virtually nonexistent in the Northeast.

GTRZILLAR32-Now saving for Godzilla and a condo > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:33

Give me Moe's or give me death

Regonomics Lamborghini > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:44

Maybe it's just not your thing and that's alright. Chipotle offers wholesome food at an affordable price, and they do it very well compared to other chains. Yes I know what you mean about the mixed temps but i think its more of a contrast, specially when it comes to spicy sauces. Also, the damn burrito bowl is amazing, more than enough for a regular meal.

EL_ULY > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:44

Chipotle..... the Starbucks of Mexican food (not a good thing). My fiance is from Mexico DF and we tried Chipotle for the first time together. LOL!!! Oh many LOL's were had. It's seriously like calling microwave pizza rolls "Italian food" Not saying it was bad, food is food and it was not bad tasting "food". The conclusion was set though. It's a total shame for its title of Mexican food. That's all, just wanted to share that for a while :] Tacos or tortas from the trailer at the gas station will always be ahead of Chipotle if we crave comida Mexicana.

Stef Schrader > Pessimippopotamus
12/10/2013 at 23:48

Freebirds is better. Qdoba is worse.

My trick for eliminating cold spots is to wait a little while for the heat to disperse throughout the tin foil wrapper.

I love a good, big burrito, but Chipotle just tastes like salt. Everything I've had there—salty poo. I don't understand it. Also, they don't have as many choices for ingredients and their spiciest salsas are pretty weak. I want to fart fireballs after my burritos. That weak sauce you hippie yankees call a "salsa" won't cut it.

Manuél Ferrari > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/11/2013 at 01:21

No. I just looked them up and no CA locations :(

Manuél Ferrari > Pessimippopotamus
12/11/2013 at 01:30

I get why you don't get why it's so popular. It has so much hype now that it's hard for it to live up to the hype. And it's not cheap so if you eat there and don't come away feeling like the food was awesome you feel cheated, because there are other places you can get a burrito for cheaper.

I like it and go there every week or two. I don't give it a 10/10. I do like the healthy ingredients and it being pretty quick as long as it's not crazy busy. What keeps me from thinking it's totally awesome is:

1. You don't get that much meat for how much you pay. You have to pay for double meat to get a lot. You should be able to get more meat for the same price if you forgo rice or beans.

2. It's crazy that they have different kinds of rice but neither are the Spanish rice that you get at most Mexican places.

3. Last time I checked you couldn't buy individual tacos. You had to buy 3. Which made no sense because they charge you about the same as they do for a burrito but it's less food. This makes me angry. The tacos should be cheaper and you should be able to just buy one or two if you want to. Sometimes I'm super starving and want a burrito and a taco. Or I'm not starving and just want one or two tacos.

4. They don't have breakfast burritos in the morning. They should at least have them on the weekends. Nothing is better when you're hung over than a breakfast burrito.

If they addressed all 4 of these items I would give them an 11/10 and go 4 times a week, at least.

SteyrTMP > Pessimippopotamus
12/11/2013 at 02:51

Huh. I eat there frequently, at one point I was eating there every day (for six bucks, I'm fed for the day. Hell yeah.), and I never had a problem with it. Do you keep your catsup out of the fridge or something? Almost all condiments are kept cold. I usually eat half a burrito bowl fresh, and nuke the rest later, and I'd much prefer to have the salsas cold rather than hot.

Methinks you are the only one.

But, if they're giving sub-standard food, email the corporation. They're pretty good on getting back, I've done it a few times, with fast responses, and usually a gift card.

Pessimippopotamus > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
12/11/2013 at 04:17

I've never had my In-n-Out burgers give me hot and cold bites.

Bricks > Pessimippopotamus
12/11/2013 at 07:42

try throwing it in the fridge for an hour or so, soooo much better

willkinton247 > VicVinegar
12/11/2013 at 09:37

There are Smashburgers in the DC area, not sure if that's considered the "northeast." Its in a weird grey area...

willkinton247 > Manuél Ferrari
12/11/2013 at 09:39

4.) Brace yourself, because I hear Chipotle has breakfast burritos in development. At the location in Dulles airport you can actually get breakfast burritos.

VicVinegar > willkinton247
12/11/2013 at 10:24

Well, I am in Rhode Island, so that is not quite as close as I would like.

Manuél Ferrari > willkinton247
12/11/2013 at 13:49

Haha I saw that the one at that airport has it. I researched it and joined the FB petition for them to roll it out to all stores.

I am braced and ready. There is nothing better than getting up on a Sunday morning, getting a huge breakfast burrito to go, and eating it at home while watching NFL red zone on DirecTV with a big mug of coffee.

DCM > Pessimippopotamus
12/11/2013 at 14:14

Moe's Southwest Grill pricing + Taco Bell quality and aftermath = Chipotle...