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Culinary Connection
Chipotle
By Bruce Wildstein
“First national restaurant to use 100% naturally raised chickens”
Chipotle has a good thing going. They serve great tasting Mexican food served up fast, but not like fast food. And that's just the beginning of their story. Started in 1993, the chain now has about 730 restaurants and is the only nationwide restaurant that uses naturally raised chicken, beef, and pork. Their suppliers do not use antibiotics and growth hormones, and a pure vegetarian diet with no animal by-products is what the animals eat when raised. This policy is part of Chipotle's “Food with Integrity” campaign, which also focuses on “sustainable” food raising methods. In fact, they have been moving toward this goal for the past 15 years and it seems to be paying off in a major way. Indeed, all Chipotle restaurants in California now use only naturally raised chicken.
“We are changing the way the world thinks about and eats fast food,” said Steve Ells, Chipotle founder, chairman and CEO. “By making our food with great quality ingredients, including naturally raised meat, we are not only satisfying our customers with great tasting food, but raising the bar for an entire industry.”
The Chipotle story began in Denver in 1993 when Steve opened his first restaurant. He wanted to serve Mexican food using the freshest ingredients available and wanted to source his meats from farmers who raised their animals in humane conditions. He was opposed to animals that lived in confined, restricted cages. He also didn't want to use meats that contained anti-biotics and other artificial chemicals. He admired the “old fashioned”, natural way of doing things.
The Chipotle restaurants I've visited have all been packed during dinner time, with long lines of people queuing up. Burritos seem to be the most popular item, but tacos, salads, and burrito “bowls” are also quite popular. The ingredients are all right on the food line, so you can see the staff actually preparing your food item up close step by step. Burritos include vegetarian, beef, chicken and pork, plus there are a variety of beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and other ingredients you can add as you wish. And the value is there as well. These burritos are huge. I would guess they weigh in at close to a pound, so it's impossible to leave hungry!
For a limited time, Chipotle will also be serving a special item they call “Le Burrito.” This offering coincides with the Tour de France, and the burrito has their naturally raised chicken accompanied by black beans, cilantro lime rice, tomato salsa, and freshly made guacamole. According to Chipotle, this provides 65 percent of carbohydrates, 25 percent fat, and 15 percent protein. They call it an “energy boosting” mix for the cyclists.
“Professional cycling is incredibly grueling, and riders need to fuel their bodies with good, whole foods that will sustain them through their hours on the bike,” said Jonathan Vaughters, directeur sportif at Garmin-Chipotle, the Chipotle sponsored cycling team. “The combination of ingredients in 'Le Burrito' is an important part of what these riders eat to keep them performing at the highest levels.”
Chipotle marinates their chicken and beef for “hours” in their exclusive adobo sauce before grilling. Try their Fajita Burrito, which features sautéed peppers and onions in place of beans. Its also available “vegetarian” style with guacamole, sautéed vegetables and vegetarian black beans instead of any meat. Tacos are prepared with a soft or hard tortilla filled with a meat, plus cheese or sour cream, salsa and romaine lettuce. Their carnitas are also made with naturally raised pork, and then seasoned with bay leaves; juniper berries, thyme, and cracked black pepper. The meat is seared, and then braised for hours. Need some extras for your meal? Chips, salsas, and guacamole are at the ready. And don't forget Chipotle also serves beer and margaritas in addition to soft drinks.
Ready for a Chipotle meal? You should be. Check their website for a restaurant near you:
www.chipotle.com.