If you're not familiar with Chipotle, The restaurant first opened in 1993. It was initially described to me as the "Subway of Mexican food." You step up to the counter in similar fashion as the "Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld. You are usually greeted by an upbeat young person and the assembly begins... Burrito or Bowl? Then you move on to white or brown rice. Pinto or black beans is the next question asked. Then you have your choice of beef, chicken or veggies. You move on to hot, medium or mild salsa. They offer sour cream, guacamole, cheese and lettuce to top the dish. With each topping you find yourself taking a step to your left as you look through the window protecting the food. The grill is usually hissing with fresh veggies or other ingredients being prepared. They offer a list of other dishes as well. The menu isn't overwhelming like some Mexican joints.
So why is Chipotle one of my favourite fast food places? Besides the taste and the food portions are filling, the food is ALL NATURAL!!!! Chipotle is known for investing in safer, more humane ingredients. And, although I don't eat meat, that's a plus in my eyes. But for me personally, I like that THEY USE NO GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS (GMOs) in their menu. They are the ONLY fast food restaurant to ban GMOs in their food!! They decided in 2013 to use organic, non-GMO tofu and followed up with the rest of their ingredients as well. I have blogged about GMOs and the main crops being soy, corn and cotton. More than 93% of domestic corn and soy grown in the US in 2014 came from genetically modified seeds! Their corn tortillas, cooking oil, and corn in their salsa... all GMO free.
Last December, they found one of their pork suppliers was not meeting their standards for raising pigs. Co-CEO Steve Ellis told CNNMoney, "Chipotle is really showing that there's a better way to do fast food," he went on to say, "They say these ingredients are safe, but I think we all know we'd rather have food that doesn't contain them.''
GMO crops are engineered to withstand high doses of pesticides such as Roundup. Roundup has been linked to antibiotic resistance, gut disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and fertility problems among other issues. (Learn The Shocking Truth about Round Up). Chipotle reps have said they are removing GMOs because the long term health implications aren't clear.
Steve Ellis is quoted saying, "It's relatively easy for us to have non-GMO ingredients because we don't have many ingredients in the first place," Ells said. "Like artificial additives, preservatives—we'd just rather not be a part of that." A standard fast food burrito has about 80 ingredients. Chipotles has about 40! Their simple approach to good food was what first caught my attention. Their conscientious effort to offer food that is healthier cost's them more money to produce but that isn't really seen in the price of their dishes! Their portions are large enough to fill me... and again, if you know me, you know I LOVE TO EAT!
Way to go Steve Ellis and your crew! Every time I have gone into any of their restaurants, whether I had my order to go or to eat in, I have always been greeted with up beat and courteous staff. I find the veggie bowl is a great post workout meal for me. The only caution I offer to my friends and clients... be aware of the calories you consume. The veggie bowl I usually get runs me about 780 calories. You can drop the calories substantially by leaving out various toppings. I usually get the veggie bowl because the burrito itself has around 300 calories.
Some Information compiled from rodalenews.com and https://chipotle.com/nutrition-calculator