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Is it just us or is there suddenly a Chipotle sprouting up on every corner? Gothamist was walking home the other night when no less then three blocks away from our apartment we spotted a brand-spanking new Chipotle, its chrome accents glistening through the window. We hadn't seen any warning sign or anything -- one day construction, the next, Chipotle. In the past few months we've seen them creeping along Sixth Avenue, one between 21st and 22nd, and another under construction between 13th and 14th.
As Amanda Hesser pointed out recently in the New York Times magazine, Chipotle is certainly a steep cut above other chain fast food options. We're still not quite sure why they're proliferating so quickly, however. Apparently the big bucks of McDonalds can support this kind of growth even when the city can't even seem to be able to pull out a decent authentic taqueria.
Have you spotted a new Chipotle in your 'hood?
Photo by Mitchell Feinberg for the New York Times
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a new chipotle popped up on varick between houston and king a few weeks ago, conveniently just a block from my office. mmmm.
a new chipotle popped up on varick between houston and king a few weeks ago, conveniently just a block from my office. mmmm.
Theyve already taken over DC. NYorkers should lobby for Baja Fresh (owned by Wendy's). It's A significantly better tacqueria.
Like dorie said, a Chipotle just popped up on Varick between Houston and King not more than two weeks ago...two doors away from my office. We'll see how long it lasts, since, apparently all other food establishments that have been in that location previously have all gone down hill within the timespan of a year or less.
As for their food, it's alright, good for a quick lunch fix since I'm tired of everything else in that area. The rice leaves something to be desired, though. It's seems weird to have white rice on my burrito/fajita/tacolita. I'm not a fan of cilantro(soap), either.
Hilton: how about we lobby for no more corporate chains taking over our City instead?
The more the better. I love them, and I don't care what gothamist thinks. I love them for the burritos they want to be, and I love them for the burritos they almost are. I love them.
A Chipotle opened up on Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights a few months ago. I think their burritos are pretty good but I still favor my local place (Original California Taqueria at Court and Bergen).
Yes--8th St between Mercer and Greene. And then I saw the ones on 6th Ave yesterday too. They must have all arrived at the same time.
Of course, a letter to the editor in this week's NYT Magazine demonstrates how their burritos can still have up to 1000 calories in one burrito alone...(and this is definitely true about Baja Fresh too).
One recently opened on 42nd between 5/6, across from the NYPL as well. I also think Chipotle rocks -- ate lunch there today!
baja fresh (mmmm) is owned by wendy's?
Sure your chicken caesar can have 1000 calories as well.
I had never lived in a City that had Chipotle, until they came to NY. I'm glad to finally know what all the fuss is about. I love them! Been a fan of the one on 44th b/t 3rd and Lex for a year or so. Have also seen one on St. Marks Place... which I think is a sign of the apocalypse notwithstanding my love for their product.
There's a chipotle down here at bowling green.
Apparently Chipotle doesn't reveal nutrition information, so a nonprofit sent it to an independent lab and got the scoop. one barbacoa burrito = a quarter pounder, large fries and a large coke. yum.
I haven't even heard of this Chipooo..I will check it out when I get back to Manhattan.
actually, i emailed Chipotle for its nutritional info (because it wasn't on the website) and they emailed me a pdf with all the info. not sure why they don't make it more public, though.
I must be taking crazy pills because it seems everyone is giving 'Crap-otle' a big thumbs up? Am I the only one thoroughly unimpressed with both its limited menu selection, and its attempts to pass off its bland tasting food as good? I moved here from the Twin Cities 7 months ago hoping I would never see one again, and now not only are they starting to infect lower Manhattan, they are gaining acceptance as well. This is a most disturbing monday...
(If you want real good Mexican food, I recommend a trip over to Williamsburg and hit either "Bean," of "Buffalo Cantina.")
yeah, the new one on varick between king and houston is the one that sprung up near my apartment. oh boy, time for some mass-produced, chemically created, psuedo-mexican cuisine! yum! then i can run to the mcdonalds express half a block away and pick up some fries too!
We have this excellent place here in Colorado Springs called Monica's Taco Shop. They make a huge steak egg and cheese burrito (available 24 hours) for like $3.25. It is amazing, a great snack at any time. I wonder if they want to run a franchised operation in NYC?
Why isn't Chipotle uptown, ie UWS? Need fast Mex near 81st and Columbus. There isn't a single decent Mexican place in a 5 block radius from there.
mmm, i love chipotle. i went to the original one in denver years ago (when i was a mom and pop) because it was across the street from the hospital my grandfather was in for about 3 months. got hooked (and very fat) from my daily visits (to my grandfather--and not as frequent visits to chipotle). it was a cheap (nyc prices are NOT cheap in comparison) burrito fix. interestingly, the mass produced chain chipotle has maintained much of its original flavor and now that i am on a diet i cant even enjoy the damn burritos now that they are in nyc!
Ken - from the Baja Fresh web site:
Wendy's International, Inc., the owner and operator of Wendy's® and Tim Hortons® restaurant chains acquired Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill (operated by Fresh Enterprises, Inc., a privately held company) on June 21, 2002. The terms of the sale called for a price of $275 million in cash for 100% of the stock of Fresh Enterprises. Baja Fresh® Mexican Grill is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wendy's International, Inc. and will maintain its home office in Thousand Oaks, CA.
I ate at the Chipotle on Montague st. once. While ordering, I thought, "Hmm, a bit pricey." While eating, I thought "Mmm, not bad." Then when I became violently ill a few hours later, I thought "WHY did I eat that burrito? WHY?"
Mike, I was being a little facetious when I recommended people "lobby" for Baja Fresh. Though I prefer to see mom and pop businesses pop up, the proliferation of chain stores and restaurants is a worldwide phenomenon. But maybe its time for NYC to realize its not insulated from worldwide trends that it may itself not have created (i.e., what's with the new york city exceptionalism that so many seem to embrace or assume?)
Maui taco on Fifth just south of the Empire State Building has good burritos, too. Smaller chain than Chipotle. More fruity. I believe it's the only location in NYC.
Anyone got suggestions for good Mex in the Murray Hill/Union Sq area?
And another thought -- why is everyone always up arms when fast food chains enter manhattan, but the moment a whole foods or trader joe's comes to town, people welcome those corporate chains with open arms. Is it merely a question of the demographic of people who go to fast food stores and not organic mega-empires like whole foods?
Whither Burritoville ?!?!?
Burritoville is really in trouble. If they were smart they shoudl either sell out or redo their entire business model. Unlike Chipotle which makes all of their ingredients on site resulting it delightful fresh goodness, Burritoville makes all of their food in a central commissary and then ships it out in vans to their locations where it is heated up when needed. I know a guy who works with Chiptole and they actually hired some old Burritoville employees. It helped having them around because they were able to spot the Burritoville onwers, who were casing out the first Chipotle in New York City, to the Chipotle owners. What doesn't help Burritoville's case is that Chiptole now has the backing of the Golden Arches and the exposure on the Osbournes. Btw, Ozzy gets Burritos for life from Chipotle because of that.
I went to the 34th bet 7th & 8th and was impressed.
I got the bowl with pork and it was solidly very good. The ingredients are fresh and good quality.
The chips & guacamole were awesome. I can see that the chips would be addicitive in the way that McDonalds fries are.
It's basically fast food targeted to Yuppies.