Chipotle food will put you in your grave in no time flat; those burritos are over 1,000 calories apiece. And beware the 'vegetarian' options, some of their beans were flavored with pork. Anyone abstaining from meat on religious or moral grounds will find no solace in Chipotle vegetarian.

All that being said, they do make a tasty burrito. Just don't be surprised when you wind up fat and un-kosher.

Some say achilles heel - better to say opportunity to show response. No company is perfect, but it is what they do when criticised that really matters.

Actually they have two types of beans, the black ones which are vegetarian, and the other ones (forget what they are called) that are flavoured with pork. Obviously when you go for the vegetarian option, you don't get the pork beans with it.

David's right; Chipotle's food will kill you dead. The amount of fat and calories in one of their burritos is astounding. You could eat three Big Mac's and not equal the badness in one of Chipotle's burritos. Caveat emptor.

I cut mine in half and get two meals out of it. I also would question whether one burrito is the equivalent to even two whole big macs nutrition or calorie-wise. If you go to have dinner at a mexican restaurant and order something (an enchilada, burrito, chimichanga, etc) that comes with rice and beans it would likely be equivalent to or greater than a Chipotle burrito calorie-wise.

So, you actually are getting a tremendous value at Chipotle provided you possess self control.

The beans flavored with pork are called pinto beans. Using a meat stock is traditional in the cooking of pinto beans and any good vegetarian should know that. You can find them without but if you're eating at any mexican food restaurant chances are there is a meat stock.

Chipolte is disgusting. Moe's Southwest Grill is far superior.

Thanks for the info - I've been avoiding Chipotle 'cause of the McDonalds thing and was unaware of the company's positive aspects.

Upon moving to Atlanta, I hadn't ever heard of a Moe's or Chipotle; Moe's was good for a while but it seems no matter what you order, it all tastes the same. Add to my recent discovery that Moe's is a national chain instead of the local business I'd assumed it was, and I guess it's time to try Chipotle next time that burrito craving strikes.

You forgot the most important part. Chipotle is the only place in New York city where you can get a real margarita in a plastic cup for $4. A gem, really.

"was once owned by McDonalds"

ummm, they still are. Over 90% of chipotle stock is owned by McDonalds.

http://sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1058090/000114036106008200/0001140361-06-008200-index.htm

"McDonald's Corporation announced to reduce its ownership of Chipotle Mexican Grill in the near term and complete the separation of its interest by year-end."

From: http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/sigdev.asp?Symbol=MCD

Lines are out the door between noon and 1ish in Midtown NYC East of Grand Central.

I say great, they need to talk up their free range meats even more! And if McDonalds owns it, lets show them we are willing to pay a little more for a more responsibly designed meal.

These people are not revolutionary. They are rip-offs. The burrito business is an epidemic in the Southeast. With Willies, Moe's, Chipolte and others off the top of my head. Most their food is not FRESH, like they say. Moe's and Chipolte being the worst. Half of these places can't even wrap a burrito right. Willie's is about the only one that doesn't make my stomach churn. They use better quality food that is actually handled and prepared right. Chipolte sucks balls. It's owned By the Giant Evil Clown. 'Nuff said.

Living in Southern California and tasting what *real* burritos and Mexican food should taste like, I absolutely boycott Chipotle - it's so disgusting, fake and can't digest what business ethics they are stirring into their food. Plus, they are so expensive, even in this overpriced area! I won't sell my ethics for a quick $4 margarita that I can get anywhere (sorry NYC, I know what it's like there too - grew up there) or a lard-filled, well, turd.... YUCK!

Nothing is ever good enough for you people. Jesus.

The point of this post was not to discuss taste, or food value, but to indicate that a national chain of fast food outlets can be successful purchasing free-range ingredients. As we keep saying, TreeHugger is not some cosy clubhouse just for devotees. We want mainstream to move towards a greener and more just lifestyle. As there is no perfect product or business, we see our task as highlighting those making an effort to move in the right direction.

My preference is not for boycotts, but for Girlcotts. If you want change, be that change. Inaction we have plenty of, action is what is required. Contact Chipotle and tell them "I appreciate your free-range policy, but to get me as a customer I'd suggest you ..... ."

Businesses want customers. They can supply, but only if they have demand. Make those demands. You think Walmart is going organic on a whim? You think Home Depot stock FSC certified timbers for the hell of it? Hardly.

I've been a vegan for years, and it's places like chipotle where you can get vegan meals without a hassle and know that they're vegan and have them taste mediocre to great depending on when you come in (they really should cook the "fajitas" some more) that can just be such a load off my back on busy days. chipotle is a life-saver in the small town i'm going to college in. free range doesn't mean much to me, but i suppose it's a start. and who cares what corporate entity owns what? It's all about the bottom line. If chipotle were independent of McDonald's, it'd still be the same capitalists investing into the company with the same business practices and the same focus on the bottom line.

Can anyone point to the caloric and fatty death trip known as a burrito? People keep saying Chipotle Burritos will stop your heart... but I fail to see how.

I just read about the high fat and calories at
http://www.cspinet.org/new/200309301.html

Warren - your direction to contact Chipotle is a good. Do you have a direct contact?

http://www.chipotle.com/images/nutrition.pdf

There is the exact information. I calculated the burrito I normally get (vegan with guacamole) and it was over 1000 calories. Ouch. Oh well, I live a fairly "active" lifestyle. Also, one burrito there goes a long way in terms of food that day.

O come on with the Chipotle will put you in the grave. Lets not be silly.I understand eating it everyday is not the best but it's from from the worst.And there are only 2 beans to pick from pinto and black.And yes the pinto beans are cooked with pork not flavored with pork .Thats the only none veggie part of Chipotle and of course the meat..LOL...And mickey D's never owned Chipotle. If you had a small chain and someone like mickey d's offered to help get ya going dont tell me everyone would all of a sudden back down..Please people if your going to write something give all the facts...And as far as the comment from Cali of course there not the mom and pop mexican restaurant.

All the talk of high fat and calories is just goofy. Cheese and sour cream? Hello? I get the "bol" with NO rice, extra black beans and extra peppers/onions with NO cheese and NO sour cream (and no guac). I have no idea what the fat or calories are and don't think I need to care. People are so retarded when it comes to food consumption. You can't eat cheese and sour cream and expect to be healthy. Can there be a more obvious statement here?

I feel your pain, Shawn. The root of the problem is that everyone wants someone else to be responsible for their health choices rather than having to actually make proper choices themselves.

to start things off, i've been an employee of the chipotle team for a little over a year now. coming from the inside, i have a number to say in response to some of the posts.
FIRST OF ALL: chipotle WAS a subsidiary of mcdonalds for 8 years, but spun off last october.
SECOND: it's common for people to order a veggie burrito and get the black beans or the fajitas, which is grilled bell peppers and onions. however, if the customer says "VEGGIE" and orders pinto beans with it, most line workers will make it a point to notify them that the beans are, indeed, cooked with pork. to my surprise, this is often OK with the customer, who may be ordering a veggie because it's cheaper than the meats and INCLUDES guac, whereas otherwise they'd have to pay extra.
THIRD: i can say from experience that the ingredients are prepared fresh EVERY MORNING. during our closing shift, everything including the chips, tacos, salsas, and meats are thrown away at night and a fresh batch is prepared in the morning. ever wonder why the doors open at 11am, but workers get there at 8am?
LASTLY: just looking at calorie intake vs. actual nutritional value are completely different. i eat at chipotle about twice a day, usually 5 days a week. though i stay exceptionally active during the week (being a sports medicine major), i have found no problems and i highly doubt that chipotle, compared to some other foods out there, will take me to my grave.

These Burritos are AWESOME tasting. I moved to Western Washington and can't find them anymore and I dearly miss them, but they are huge on calories (since I do order all the cheese and guac and sour cream. But that's my own deal.), so I guess its better for my fat ass anyways. I didn't know McDonalds was planning on pulling out, that makes them even better for me! I know a lot of people that eat half and save half for later, which is a great idea, if you have the self control (which I don't). The employees are always super nice though and they have fun, upbeat music. It's really amazing and as soon as I visit Minneapolis again, I'm sure I will go have one.

I am very happy that Chipotle is stepping up with humane animal treatment but I would like to know if they use msg, "natural flavors" etc in their food. I seem to feel like I have been exposed to msg every time I eat there and I can't find any ingredient lists for their foods. The nutritional information on the web site is generic at best.

First off, there is NO "MSG" in Chipotle food. Check out their website...Personally, I really DIG the fact that Treehugger featured Chipotle's mantra of Food With Integrity. All the meats, at least in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic part of the country are gotten from animals that are:
1. Given NO Antibiotics. Animals with viruses are usually treated with antibiotics and eventually they morph into untreatable strings that end up in our food supply. Chipotle doesn't subscribe to that.
2. Given no Added Growth Hormones. People please research the Growth hormone rBGH that is shot into lactating cows to increase milk production and its adverse effects on the cow's health and impact on our milk and milk products (e.g. sour cream, cheese)intake.
3. Fed a vegetarian diet. Ever wonder how Mad Cow Disease got started? They were feeding cattle by-products to cows, that's right, cows eating cows...'nuff said.
4. Raised humanely. Animals are supposed to be raised consistent with their natural instincts, not locked up like they are on death row. The deletarious effects of industrial farming to the animals and the environment are staggering - buying into that food supply chain feeds that industry. Chipotle's abstinence from paying for that kind of ill gotten gains is a model to be followed by ALL restaurant chains.
Then, there are other things; the fact that they are using brown napkins and brown lining paper during service has increased recycling of those materials from 60% to 90% as compared to the previous white ones. There are certain Chipotle locations around the country that ask customers set aside glass and plastic for recycling, and from what I've learned, that will be rolled out nationwide soon.
Keep it up Chipotle - you are a role model!!

Although its 1000 calories+ a burrito, their is a great source of protein in this. My burrito is approx 75 grams of protein, and the fat is good fat. I have eaten at least 3 burritos a week for the past 2 months and I have lost 12 pounds.

Although its 1000 calories+ a burrito, their is a great source of protein in this. My burrito is approx 75 grams of protein, and the fat is good fat. I have eaten at least 3 burritos a week for the past 2 months and I have lost 12 pounds.

Don't get sour cream! Go easy on the cheese! Ordering healthy is up to the individual, and it can easily be done at Chipotle (and most other restaurants for that matter).

I wouldn't worry about the calories unless you eat it daily and don't exercise or burn calories. Everything, obviously, is bad in excess. If you exercise daily and veganize your burrito, you need not worry about eating one or two burritos a week! It's silly to think that you will die from eating chipotle burritos. I'd say the meat and dairy additions make the burrito unhealthy in mega proportions!

If you're watching your weight, nix the wrap, and you're left with rice, beans, and vegetables. There's nothing bad about those items. It's just combined and compacted that it boosts the number of calories. But that's only bad if you sit idle and don't do anything.

So easy solution, eat a burrito, run or bike, do some push-ups, and don't care about the calories!

I hate vegans.

as many people have said, you can keep your calories way under 1000+, especially if you're eating vegan. here's a really cool calculator that shows you the fat, calories, etc. according to the specific options you choose. enjoy...
http://www.chipotlefan.com/index.php?id=nutrition_calculator

In response to earlier comments about MSG, I want to add that I too feel like I've had MSG after eating Chipotle. I always get wicked migraines after having MSG, and I got one after eating Chipotle. And I never get them except from MSG. I'd like to know what makes you think there's no MSG in it...I can't find anything on their site about it.