Chipotle - 2760 S Colorado Blvd

Nothing but goodness again from this location. Like last time, I went in during a slow hour and the whole staff greeted me like I was the manager. I encountered no issues with the gym rat parking for the 24 Hr Fitness or whatever the heck that place is. 


For me, a great Chipotle is one that serves up a burrito exactly like the one I had in 1999. One that wooed me into Chipotle's grasp as long as I have a hand to hold a 20 oz burrito.


Dined February 29, 2012.


Written by B.

Chipotle - 820 S Monaco

Unlike last time I visited a Chipotle, I ordered my regular burrito with Chicken, white rice (fully cooked this time, but that tends to be a problem with their brown rice), black beans, a mix of salsas, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. 

I tried to look up the address of this Chipotle on the restaurant's website and found that it's not listed. The location (in a strip mall near a King Soopers) is not the best, it sort of makes the restaurant isolated. If you are coming from the west and turn right on Monaco, then you have to weave through the KS parking lot and dodge shoppers. That can be an inconvenience if you don't know to turn in just east of Monaco allowing for quicker access to Chipotle. 

Another thing I have to say about this location is that the sunlight can be unbearable. At times it is hard to find a table that isn't in direct sunlight and even if it's 40 degrees outside, the Colorado sun can roast you in five minutes at one of these tables, especially with their metal tops. Bring your sunglasses into the restaurant if the sun is out.


Dined February 6, 2012.


Written by B.

Chipotle - 371 E. Alameda

Yes, Chipotle again. We weren't planning on going out tonight, but we were up north and driving back into town and we didn't want to start cooking a meal at 7pm. 


I had never been to this location. Right next door though is Lucille's, one of the best brunches in town. I changed it up a bit tonight, ordering steak in my burrito. I was reminded a few bites into the burrito (once home) that Chipotle's steak has the tendency to be quite gristly, to the point that it can distract from the rest of the goodness before you. It made me miss my typical chicken burrito. 


K got a burrito bowl, which was only okay because the brown rice she ordered (Chipotle introduced brown rice in 2011) was about halfway done. It was nearly crunchy. Had we stayed, K would have definitely ordered something else with white rice, which I have never found to be undercooked, but the brown rice has been undercooked on more than one occasion. Not just on this visit. Some rice cookers out there obviously don't remember that brown rice always takes longer to cook. 


So, it wasn't the best visit to Chipotle. The other two visits in January were better. 


Dined January 30, 2012.


B.

Chipotle - 2760 S. Colorado Blvd

Chipotle at S. Colorado was my second visit to this chain in 2012. I’ve been to this Chipotle many times before. It has a big interior and a decent outdoor seating area that wraps around its northwest corner.

On this particular visit, I stopped by around 4:30, a very slow time at Chipotle. There was no one in line and every single employee immediately said hi to me when I walked in the door. It was a bit overwhelming, but pretty cool. I get that a lot at Chipotle and it helps the place feel like a local joint even though the chain is massive and in nearly every major city in the US now. A picky drawback to this place is the parking lot. Located near a massive fitness center, it can be a bit tricky to find a spot, but look along the northern edge of the parking lot, these spaces are reserved for Chipotle customers only, not gym rats.

Dined January 26, 2012.

B.

Chipotle - 1644 East Evans

Chipotle does a few things very well and that's pretty good considering there are only a few things on their menu. I first heard of the joint when I still lived in Fort Collins and the holiest of holies was Big City Burrito and nothing, not even a burrito sent by God, was going to dethrone Big City. But in 1999, when I had my first Chipotle burrito, I bit into something that was so good it came dangerously close to knocking Big City off its perch. I must clarify that when I say Big City, I am referring to its first location at College and Mulberry. I am not referring to its other locations. Perhaps it's nostalgia, but Big City still holds a special place in my heart. That said, Chipotle's expansion plans have just gone a lot better than Big City's plans. Chipotle is nearly everywhere I go, so I frequent it much more than Big City. 

The first Chipotle at 1644 East Evans is within walking distance of DU, where I am a graduate student. It is the perfect place to go for a late lunch after the crowd dies down because there is no room for a crowd in this Chipotle. It's packed into a room smaller than many apartments. There are three to four small tables and bar seating available. Instead of working down the line of burrito ingredients, one stands in the same spot and shouts their order to the burrito lady, or man, because the burrito ingredients are perpendicular to the ordering line. This, its size, and its basement storage room are unique to this location. Perhaps there are other Chipotles with basement storage rooms, but I am unaware of any. Take a look at the pictures on the wall next time you are inside a Chipotle. There is a picture of the first store at every location. 

I haven't had something bad at Chipotle. I have my preferences (Chicken or Steak) but most of the menu is spot on and very customizable. They even serve a decent margarita. Their chips are delicious and their guacamole is better than most pricy Mexican restaurants. I've done my best to duplicate it at home. 

Perhaps I shall touch on the Chipotle v. Qdoba debate at some point on this blog, but it has astounded me that there is even a debate. Qdoba has never threatened Chipotle. Qdoba loyalists always bring up the queso sauce as a sticking point. I just don't see how Velveeta can be a sticking point. But I digress...

Chipotle at East Evans is a great place to eat at if you are interested in visiting the very first Chipotle. The food's just as good, maybe even a little better just because you know you are where it all started. I recommend avoiding the rush of DU undergrads and eating at a non-traditional dining hour at this location due to its limited seating.

Dined 18 January 2012.

B.