Chipotle opening downtown tomorrow

[Robin Garr]

Yeah, it's a chain. Who's going?

Chipotle Mexican Grill to Open First Louisville Location
Gourmet burrito restaurant set to open Wednesday, March 13

Chipotle Mexican Grill will open its first Louisville location on Wednesday, March 13. The critically acclaimed burrito shop will serve its gourmet menu of burritos, tacos, salads and bowls downtown at 315 S. 4th St.

Distinguished by fresh, premium-quality food from sustainable sources, an iconic look and speedy service, Chipotle offers a new perspective on food. Today, Chipotle serves more Responsibly Raised™ meat (meat from animals that are raised in a humane way, never given antibiotics or added hormones, and fed a pure vegetarian diet) than any other restaurant company; more than 120 million pounds last year.

Quality ingredients are the hallmark of Chipotle. In addition to Responsibly Raised™ meats, Chipotle serves an increasing percentage of organically grown black and pinto beans, and sour cream and cheese made with milk from cows that are not treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH. Chipotle is also the only national restaurant company with significant commitments to purchasing produce from local farms when seasonally available, serving more than 14 million pounds of local produce in 2012.

“We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food,” said Steve Ells, Chipotle founder, chairman and co-CEO. “There was a time when only the most demanding chefs in the best restaurants were using the same quality of food we are using, but we’re committed to making better food affordable and accessible so everyone can eat better.”

All of the fresh food is prepared in open kitchens in plain view of customers. Customers can choose from a variety of delicious ingredients to customize their order – cilantro-lime rice, whole black or pinto beans, grilled marinated meats or braised and shredded meats, freshly sautéed fajita vegetables, house-made guacamole, aged shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and a choice of fresh salsas.

The design of each Chipotle also mirrors Ells’ food philosophy – simple ingredients used in creative ways can elevate the ordinary to extraordinary. While all Chipotle restaurants use similar materials to achieve a sparse, clean, urban look, no two are alike.

Hours at the restaurant are from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. The phone number for the new Louisville location is 502.584.8606.

<shrugs>...We had a Chipotle within walking distance of our home in Minnesota...The place was packed for the first 6 months it was open...once the "Next Big Thing" cache wore off, it was kinda-sorta pretty much dead most of the time. I prolly ate there 4 or 5 times over a period of 2 or 3 years and never was impressed...at all.

I just so happened to have Chipotle for the first time last night in Columbus - it was convenient and fast and I was in a land of chains on a major time budget and empty stomach. I got a chicken bowl, and while the chicken was somewhat tasty (pretty sure there is a use of cinnamon in the rub), the dish was totally boring, didn't have NEARLY enough beans, and not hot, at all. That's part of the problem with some QS steam-table restaurants - they can't let the components get very hot because they will be ruined too quickly. So your "hot" components meet the standard for food safety, and the cold ingredients just chill the warmth right off of them. So my preference when I do eat at places like this, at least when it's cold outside, and I don't want all of my food to be cold, is to get something else that's actually hot to compromise - i.e. queso or soup. Your side options at Chipotle are: Guac (extremely salty, as well as the chips), and salsa. So swing by and get your choice of 8 items that are luke warm or cold and salty - you should be good to go! Good effort on their sustainable practices, though. I might go back some day if they start serving some friggin' soup.

This is a variation of the same theme--Moe's and Qdoba. Anybody expecting something other will be disappointed. For those used to eating Subway, Panera, Qdoba, pizza slices, etc for lunch downtown during their break, this will fit well in the rotation. Same for out-of-towners who are looking to grab a cheap lunch upon exiting their hotel room. Don't let the snake oil salesmen, a.k.a. marketing team, fool you. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Taco Bell was gourmet mexican food according to their PR campagn.

Chipotle's is what it is, but it beats Qdoba and Moe's and the lamentable Tijuana Flats.

If they could figure out a way to offer their tacos on grilled corn tortillas, I would be fairly content with their grub.

I am of the opinion that Chipotle is the best of the Mexican self-serve chains. It has the best quality ingredients and even sponsored the movie Food Inc. when it was released. Hey they just have the best tasting food. Q'Doba and Moe's are not even close and you can forget about Cantina Style from Taco Bell. For me over the years Chipotle has become the quintessential "don't want think about dinner" place. If you are hungry and want fast healthy and delicious food just go to chipotle.

If you are hungry and want fast healthy and delicious food just go to chipotle.

No, walk down to Market street to the locally owned Bazo's if you want the best of this genre of food. Or better yet, try both and compare.

Meh. We stopped at the one by the Florence Mall once and I was sufficiently underwhelmed. Personally I didn't think the fillings were of any better quality than Moe's or Qdoba which I'm not a big fan of either. A huge portion of cheap, average at best food, served fast is essentially what the draw for most people seems to be. Kind of reminds me why the Olive Garden is always packed.
I'd much rather go to Taco Punk.

I'm still in the Qdoba camp (for this genre of fast casual chain fare), for their broader menu selection and better flavors. All of the Chipotle I have experienced has been woefully under-seasoned.

Local alternatives like Bazo's are much preferred.

I prefer Chipotle to Qdoba (and both to Moes) but I aint driving inside the Watterson for it.

Chipotle is very good.....they do use good quality ingredients.....I know the word "chain" on here, is a no-no....but some of them know what they're doing, and they do it well. Chipotle falls in that line.

[Robin Garr]

Chipotle is very good.....they do use good quality ingredients.....I know the word "chain" on here, is a no-no....but some of them know what they're doing, and they do it well. Chipotle falls in that line.

Did you catch my review on that this week, Rob?
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/louis ... potle-w00t

While you may be "guilty" of said accusation, that I claimed, sometimes.....your review was very pleasant and fair.....well done.