In the midst of gradual leftover-ameliorated turkey withdrawal (because, unlike the Orren household, my Austin in-laws went the traditional route, baking up a big-breasted bird - with the Peruvian-inspired twist that this one was injected with a modicum of Pisco for added juiciness), I came across this glowing WSJ writeup on one of my favorite lunchtime eateries: Chipotle.
I probably brave the slings and arrows (and multi-tonned give-no-quarter SUV missiles) of Central Expressway about once each week to make the trek from PegNews HQ (at Walnut Hill) up to Forest Lane, the location of the nearest Chipotle. The turnaround from the northbound Central service road onto the southbound side - with cars entering the traffic flow from three directions - is probably on a par with taking up a particularly unhealthful habit such as chain smoking or... well... driving during lunch hour on Central Expressway, in that the odds will eventually catch up with me and I'll become another sad statistic for the actuarial tables - but I've always found the ingredients in the burrito bols I order to be fresh and delicious, and the marriage of their flavors to be something worth trekking toward.
So now I find myself at home in Old Lake Highlands jonesing for some free range chicken chunks on a bed of rice and black beans, smothered in cheese, sour cream, hot salsa and crisp lettuce - and there's nothing for it to be found on this side of White Rock Lake (unless you count the restaurant near Town East Mall, which - for purposes of my sanity on this most insane of shopping weekends - I don't).
According to the article, the Chipotle group is planning to add 130 locations next year (to join the 670 existing eateries already in the chain). I'm hoping they'll put one up in... let's see now... Casa Linda, perhaps? How convenient would that be? (Answer: VERY.)
Comments
FoodCzar Anonymous
I agree with you. Burrito bowls are the way to go. (For those not in the know, Chipotle features build-your-own burritos, but also will give you the same ingredients in a bowl, which cuts the calories in half and is every bit as delicious without the tortilla. Try it!)
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kirk Anonymous
Your numbers are way off, FoodCzar. A "typical" carnitas burrito with sour cream and guacamole has about 1,400 calories (about 600 from fat). The flour tortilla represents about 300 calories, so the "bol" still has more than 1,000 calories (about 500 from fat).
Here's a calculator to figure out Chipotle nutrition: http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?...
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
CastleHills Anonymous
Oh, thanks. I just figured out that my favorite burrito combo has almost 1700 calories--700 of which are from FAT.
Now when I visit Chipotle again--and I will--I'll be feeling guilty.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Considering when I eat a burrito, that's at least half the food I'll consume that day...I don't feel so bad about my 1,200 calorie selection.
And I'll continue eating 3 Chipotle burritos a week, on average.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
FoodCzar Anonymous
Thanks, Kirk. That's a very handy calculator. I was able to create a Chipotle bol with carnitas, black beans, red tomatillo sauce, lettuce and cheese, which came to "only" 500 calories. Much better! It also helps if you don't eat all your food at one sitting. That's why God invented doggy bags!
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Anonymous
If I have to eat a Mission-style burrito, I prefer Freebirds to Chipotle. My typical combo ("monster" size, flour, steak, jack/cheddar, rice, refried beans, two hot sauces, salsa, pico, cilantro, jalapenos, avocado slices, and sour cream) adds up to 1,775 calories (and 77 grams of fat).
http://www.freebirds.com/PDFRepor.pdf
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
FoodCzar Anonymous
Scott, I also prefer Freebirds to Chipotle burritos. If you're ever in West Plano, you should try Planet Burrito. Their signature Southwestern burrito with Diablo sauce takes carnitas to a whole new level!
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Different Scott, btw.
Not sure what the hype of Freebirds is all about, personally. Having a selection of tortilla doesn't outweigh the tastiness of everything else, imo...and Freebirds just didn't do it for me.
Planet Burrito intrigues me, though.
If you're in Denton and jonesin' for a burrito, try Hooya just south of UNT campus on Ave C. I rate it fairly high (tough to say if I prefer it above Chipotle, but it's at least worth a visit).
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Scott Doyle Verified
Huh, didn't even think to check and see if PegNews had a Hooya page...but I'll be damned!
http://www.pegasusnews.com/places/hooya/
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
Mike Orren Staff
For those whom this conversation is making hungry, find your nearest:
Chipotle
Freebirds
Planet Burrito
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
kirk Anonymous
For what it's worth, I think Planet Burrito is inexcusably bad. True, they do have a wide selection of crap with which to flavor the meal. But it doesn't matter whether you dress a pig in "Indonesian" or "Thai" or "Polynesian" clothing (just a few of their "global" taste sensations); it's still a pig.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
eastside Anonymous
Man, What I would give to have another selection around Casa Linda.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
luniz Anonymous
I'd rather eat at Tin Star any day.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
John Meyer Staff
Tin Star Bacon Bleu Cheeseburger Tacos?
Mmm, mmm, good! (Screw the calories.)
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
FoodCzar Anonymous
Sounds like everyone here is ready to throw out whatever Thanksgiving leftovers they have left, if any. I personally can eat those leftovers only once before I feel the siren song of Tex (or whatever)Mex calling me back to the burrito shack.
8 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
mrbmctx Anonymous
I went to Planet Burrito and their BYOB's are fantastic. But you have to try the fish tacos!
7 months, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )
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