Some Shudder, Others Shrug at In-Your-Face Calorie Info

The New York State Restaurant Association is appealing a ruling by a U.S. District Court judge requiring NYC restaurants with 15 or more establishments nationwide to prominently display calorie information for all foods and beverages. But some establishments like Starbucks and Chipotle are already voluntarily complying with the new rule, and the Times sent out reporters to get some Man on the Street – or Man on the Feedbag – reactions.

Howard J. Moll, 83, a tourist guide sitting in a Subway restaurant: “I was not concerned about calories when I was 22 — why should I be concerned now?”
Jeannie Soto, a customer at a Starbucks: “I’m surprised, especially about the Iced Lemon Loaf. It’s 500 calories. That’s like a Big Mac. It’s like a meal.”
Ralph Arend, a diner at Chipotle: “The posting of the calories is just a craze to make us feel better.”

Arend was eating under the impression that his Chipotle burrito, with the extras, had about 1,000 calories. Not so fast, insists skeptical blogger Midtown Lunch, who's blowing the whistle on Chipotle’s misleading calorie information. The company claims the calorie range for a burrito, depending on extras, is 420-918 calories. But the only way to stay on the low end is to eat a single flour tortilla (290 calories) with black beans (130 calories). Yum!

Even a vegetarian burrito sans cheese weighs in at 740 calories, and according to the Post, the Mexican Grilled Chicken Burrito is way over Chipotle’s high end of 918, topping off at 1,179 calories. So who to believe, the tabloid of record or the chain restaurant? Anyone seeking a third opinion may want to consult the Chipotle Fan website (yep, of course there is such a thing), which features a handy and disillusioning Nutrition Facts Calculator.

Photo of Chipotle Float at Gay Pride Parade by RcktManIL.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on April 22, 2008 1:46 PM

Comments [rss]

Mott the Hoople

blah blah blah it has 1000 calories and 50 grams of fat. guess what? it's huge. eat one of those in the afternoon and, basically, you're set for the day. and really, isn't that the main point of eating-- to not be hungry anymore? to be able to keep livin your glamorous life? yes. yes is the correct answer. now do some push-ups.

Gouda

What do they cook the veggies in? Lard? 8 grams of fat (100 Cal) for a pinch of cooked veggies?

The salad is a joke since the dressing is loaded with fat (31g) and calories.

Perhaps Chipotle Fans should be asking for an overhaul in how these things are cooked. Sauteed Veggies really don't need a ton of fat/grease to be cooked well and taste good, especially not onion and green peppers.

Jenelle

That calculator is fab... in fact the whole website is fab!

Don't forget you can always get the Burrito Bol to skip the whole tortilla issue.

Anyone want to share their Burrito?

My usual is - Rice, Pinto Beans, Chicken, Tomato Salsa, Cheese and Lettuce

While the 923 calories is EEEK check out the sodium content - 2474mg!!!!!!!

Landor

Thanks for posting the Chipoltle Nutrition Calculator. It's far and away more useful than the idiotic calorie ranges that Chipotle HQ publishes.

R

JRod5417

The salad dressing at Chipotle is 330 calories! Holy sh*t!

JenChungsBaby

Another good fast food tip: Skip the mayo! On a Whopper for example the mayo makes up around 15 percent of the calories and around 40 percent of the fat. So tell them to hold that mayo.

I can eat basically anything and not gain an ounce but I would like fat content in addition to just calorie information. It's the fat that will kill me eventually if I'm not careful.

eyekantspel

I very much support the legislation to provide some idea of calorie count.

While I'm not so sure if the food calorie counts will result in different eating habits, I think the calorie counts on beverages might actually accomplish something. Most people were very surprised by the high calorie counts on some mixed drinks -- people might be more apt to change drinking habits. Hopefully this results in greater numbers of skinny drunk girls, as opposed to fewer drunk girls generally.

holla

Who cares what the numbers say. Everything in moderation is really the key, and if the fatties don't want to take care of themselves then so be it. It's their choice to do whatever they want, no one is making them do anything. Just like it's my choice to eat right and work out.

But I still reserve the right to make fun of them...

TK

You're correct but do they have corn tortillas @ Chipotle?

And I think not knowing how many calories is appropriate for you gives misleading results. I would guess because NYers walk more than other people in the US they would actually need more calories than the recommended 2,000.

And what's more, how do we know the calorie information is accurate? Who is monitoring the science behind the numbers?

smitty

i dont think they use corn tortillas at Chipotle.

gasoline serpent

I'm enjoying the bending dong-shaped Chipotle float in the picture from the gay pride parade, personally. Seems very fitting. Sort of like the shape Manhattan takes in the new subway posters up in the stations.

Politburo

TK: That is only flour tortillas. Corn tortillas, traditionally, are only made of lye-treated cornmeal and water.

schematic

I wish they had whole wheat tortillas. Burritos are good, but must be taken in moderation.

bklynd

You know, what I miss in all of this calorie talk is any kind of estimate as to how many calories you should be eating. I honestly have no idea. Psychologically, 500 seems to be the magic threshold between "fine" and "too much," for me. (For grams of fat, OTOH, anything under 2-4 seems good, above that its "Jeez, I'm sorry I looked.")

TK

Tortillas are high in calories and when, made traditionally, are high in fat (lard).

CR- guacamole is high in mono-unsaturated fats and is actually good for you.

Kevin Walsh

“The posting of the calories is just a craze to make us feel better.”

Exactly the opposite; it's supposed to make us feel guilty, and start eating tofu and broccoli.

Won't work with me.

www.forgotten-ny.com

JMH

And, of course, nobody is telling him NOT to eat anything he damn well pleases.

Rocknrope

More power to Mr. Moll, he's right. 83-year olds should eat anything they damn well please.

CR

The key to keeping the calories down at Chipotle is to ask them to put on half the amount of sour cream and cheese they normally do, and I never get guacamole - that shit'll kill you (altough it is freakin' delicious). It really isn't brain surgery here folks. They slather that shit on until your burrito is a huge mess and you can't taste the beans, veggies, etc. If you need something to cut the bean taste use the lemon or lime chips - much lower in fat than sour cream or cheese.

However, if you're the kind of person who somehow thinks that a burrito loaded with steak, sour cream, guac, and cheese is going to be healthy you probably should be put in a box and pushed off a cliff.

aveB4life

chipotle is tasty. but you'd be better off going to the China-Mex place (Taco Express) on 28th and Lex. the $5.75 lunch special is papoose!