Chipolte's

RE: Chipolte's (Michael Hoffman)

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:30:45 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Davydd

If Wikipedia is correct, McDonald's basically made Chipotle. They took over interest when it was a small local chain of 14, had 92% ownership at one time and drove it up to 480 restaurants before divesting it. That had to be McDonald's expertise and money infusion for that to happen, not the original owner/creator in my opinion.

Oh, it was a great idea, but the owner was limited in what he could accomplish. That's where McDonald's stepped up to the plate and made the chain -- and lots of money.

Where they didn't do well was in buying Donato's chain of pizza places. They paid something like 25 or 30 million for it, kept it for several years and expanded it, and finally sold it back to the original owner for about three million.

RE: Chipolte's (Davydd)

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:56:42 GMT

If Wikipedia is correct, McDonald's basically made Chipotle. They took over interest when it was a small local chain of 14, had 92% ownership at one time and drove it up to 480 restaurants before divesting it. That had to be McDonald's expertise and money infusion for that to happen, not the original owner/creator in my opinion.

RE: Chipolte's (Woo)

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:53:39 GMT

Thank you Michael for pointing that out, I did not know that. Just read about it on Wikipedia - McDonald's made some money on that deal!

RE: Chipolte's (Michael Hoffman)

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:42:36 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Woo

Just wanted to correct earlier posts: this place has nothing to do with McDonald's. It is not a franchise or an offshootof McDonald's. It was started and owned by one guy who has turned it into the hottest stock option for fast food at the moment. At least he is in favor of animals treated humanely and buys from places that do, unlike most places that don't care.
BTW, It's Chipotle.

Exactly nine days after I wrote that Chipotle is owned by McDonald's, on October 13, 2006, McDonald's divested itself of Chipotle Grill. Prior to Oct. 13, 2006, McDonald's was the majority owner of the Chipotle chain.

RE: Chipolte's (Woo)

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:24:00 GMT

So true, Brisketboy. Should have been clearer that they only buy from people who humanely raise them, in that they give them room to move around and not in small cages so they can't, no antibiotics and fed vegetarian diets. I'm not saying the place is good or bad, I was just clearing up the misconception it is owned by McDonalds, and the guy who owns them seems like a stand up guy.

RE: Chipolte's (dannybotz)

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:04:43 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by desertdog

you're right, TJ. I know for a fact that Houston's uses mostly local suppliers.

Their ribs are Outstanding!! Ive' heard more than one person say they are the best they have EVER had!!

For me they were pretty close! No disrespect to some of the K.C. and Texas and Carolina Joints!!

RE: Chipolte's (brisketboy)

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 17:02:20 GMT

And by the way, how do you humanely kill something and then eat it?

RE: Chipolte's (brisketboy)

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 16:59:18 GMT

Pardon my intrusion but I have lived in San Diego, I now live in Texas and Chipotle my be fine but when all is said, it's a chain, just like Chili's, just like Chuy's and at the bottom of the pile Taco Turdo. I only deal with Mexican restaurants and all that implys. Like Jalisco in Imperial Beach Don Diego in Chula Vista you know the genre. Chains are just that. Can't put lipstick on a pig.

RE: Chipolte's (Woo)

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 16:34:49 GMT

Just wanted to correct earlier posts: this place has nothing to do with McDonald's. It is not a franchise or an offshootof McDonald's. It was started and owned by one guy who has turned it into the hottest stock option for fast food at the moment. At least he is in favor of animals treated humanely and buys from places that do, unlike most places that don't care.
BTW, It's Chipotle.

RE: Chipolte's (desertdog)

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 22:12:35 GMT

you're right, TJ. I know for a fact that Houston's uses mostly local suppliers.

RE: Chipolte's (TJ Jackson)

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 22:05:45 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

if you go national, you have to change from local vendors to a food supply company

Another generalization, and also incorrect as stated - as an absolute truth.

RE: Chipolte's (desertdog)

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:09:49 GMT

Houston's is a mid to upper level restaurant chain, NOT franchised. All products are fresh and top-quality. My brother was a chef with them for 12 years, the kitchen is spotless and quality control is excellent. The food from the baby back ribs to the burgers to the fresh fish are very above average and consistant. Same with the service.

Spinach Artichoke Dip is supposed to be a Houston's creation, and for my money it is still the best I've had. Give it a try sometime. I suppose they have a website showing locations, etc.

RE: Chipolte's (TheHotPepper.com)

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:13:09 GMT

No. Is it good? I know that is a generalization, but it's true because if you go national, you have to change from local vendors to a food supply company for consistency throughout the chain, and fresh homemade recipes go to frozen foods and cans.

RE: Chipolte's (desertdog)

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 18:51:55 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

All national chains suck.

Ever been to Houston's?

RE: Chipolte's (saps)

Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:12:38 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

All national chains suck.

Morton's Steak House is a national chain.

RE: Chipolte's (ann peeples)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:31:55 GMT

....and pigiron-I DO care-just making a point...you know what I mean...

RE: Chipolte's (ann peeples)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 22:30:20 GMT

twinwillow-i know I could be in trouble but ,My goodness-newcomers dont know things that the trolling police look for-just trying to help...

RE: Chipolte's (Scorereader)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 16:57:28 GMT

not all Chipoltles are the same. I've been eating at one in Crystal City (Arlington, VA) nearly every day lately. The salad is fantastic and a good deal for 6.45. I'm low carbing it, so I get the lettuce, peppers and onions, chicken, salsa, sour cream, cheese and dressing. It's a lot of food too. It's very good. And I've had the same meal at the Chipoltle in my old neighborhood in DC (Woodley Park) and the food is not nearly as good. Also, in Crystal City the staff is extremely pleasant, they smile, even the guys at the grill and the prep workers in the back, they all smile, are cheery, and you can tell they all get along. I dunno what it is about this particular location, but all my co-workers agree that the food and service at this one is ten times better than at other locations.

RE: Chipolte's (TJ Jackson)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 09:38:55 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

All national chains suck.

nice generalization. competely untrue, but hey, generalizations generally are.

pun intended, of course

RE: Chipolte's (TheHotPepper.com)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 01:20:54 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by TheHotPepper.com

All national chains suck.

But they're good when you want sucky food.

RE: Chipolte's (Twinwillow)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 01:07:30 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by annpeeples

This thread is not in the fast food because people just dont know better...I was never told the "rules"-besides-who really cares?

Uh oh, your going to be in trouble.

RE: Chipolte's (TheHotPepper.com)

Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:58:58 GMT

All national chains suck.

RE: Chipolte's (Pigiron)

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 23:33:14 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by annpeeples

This thread is not in the fast food because people just dont know better...I was never told the "rules"-besides-who really cares?

People do really care. A few people constantly scour these boards looking for misplaced threads and suspicious newcomers. The real question is, WHYdo they do this? I've never understood.

RE: Chipolte's (ann peeples)

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:48:04 GMT

This thread is not in the fast food because people just dont know better...I was never told the "rules"-besides-who really cares?

RE: Chipolte's (Michael Hoffman)

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 22:40:37 GMT

I'm still trying to figure out why this thread about a fast food chain is not in the fast food chain section. Does it have anything to do with being politically correct? If so, then I'd suggest that as long as McDonald's owns it PC doesn't work here.

RE: Chipolte's (desertdog)

Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:59:47 GMT

I always get the soft taco carnitas with the hot salsa. straight and to the point. no muss, no fuss, and pretty tasty. beats the hell out of taco bell!

RE: Chipolte's (HollyDolly)

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 15:56:04 GMT

I have heard of FreeBird's,but I don't think there are any in San Antonio yet.
When at the Chipolte in Live Oak,I have always gotten the tacos,carnitas and barbacoa with gucamole.
Gucamole was very good and fresh,and I like how the meat is seasoned.
Never been sick at the one by me.It's like all chains,some locations very good and others stink.
Have to go to Culebra Meat market and by some carnitas and make it myself.

RE: Chipolte's (Jaybomb)

Thu, 21 Sep 2006 22:35:03 GMT

I've only ever eaten at a single Chipolte's in Frederick MD that has been open for maybe a year.

They're quite decent.

Want to know WHY you don't like it? You get burritos. Losers. Who gets burritos? How boring can you be to want a burrito? I'm falling asleep here simply THINKING about tired burritos.

They make a good pork salad, and damn fine steak tacos. I haven't gotten anything else there. They provide heaps of guacamole, beans, salsa verde, and lime to sum of some damn efficient Tex Mex.

Some of you whiners need to dry your eyes and stop buying burritos.

RE: Chipolte's (pmrkr2)

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 17:46:58 GMT

had lunch at chipolte's in nyc (7th ave & 26th st) last thursday. looked pretty good but all i know is that i suffered for the next 36 hours and i've got a pretty strong stomach. think i'll stick to the taco truck on the corner of 96th and broadway around the corner from where i live. so i guess that's a "i would keep walking"

RE: Chipolte's (billyboy)

Sat, 29 Jul 2006 12:45:37 GMT

As much as I don't like the Scottish place, I've been to Chipotle's a few times a really liked it. I had the carnitas burritos and carnitas crispy tacos. The pork was moist and very flavorful. I liked the choices of salsas: a red tomtillo, green tomatillo, traditional, or a corn and roasted chile. Hot and tasty. But the deal closer for the was the guacamole. I'm really fussy about it and wouldn't eat it for years because most places made it in a blender or food processor and it was just a paste. But Chipotle had a really chunky style that is quite fresh. I hope their philosophy about supporting local and sustainable agriculture is true.