Chipotle Mexican Grill

[Amber]

I saw a message come through Gluten Freeville on Facebook about Chipotle Mexican Grill. I headed up today for a late lunch to check it out.

Most of the patrons were getting burritos assembled on gigantic flour tortillas, though they also offer soft and hard shell tacos as well as tortilla-free burrito bowls. First they heat the soft tortillas in a large grill press, then fill them for you assembly-line style. There are not as many options as there are at the nearby sit-down Mexican restaurant La Caretta, but what they do they do well and I was impressed with their process.

As soon as I said gluten-free, the hot-food server changed his gloves and pulled out the corn tortillas, pre-portioned in a lined plastic basket. The downside: no soft corn tortillas, just crispy taco shells. The upside: they are very tasty (and never touched a surface that might have previously had gluten on it).

I ordered my tacos filled with carnitas, fajita-style (served with grilled peppers and onions). When my order hit the cold toppings guy, I reminded him they were GF and he moved to the nearby sink, removed his gloves, washed his hands and then put on new gloves before finishing the assembly of my order. Their chips are individually bagged and served with salsa or guacamole (I chose the latter). The chips seem to be dusted with lime-flavored salt, which was a nice touch. The guacamole was so good my preschooler licked the lid when she was done with it.

I'm not a food snob, so I won't comment on the quality (which was quite good) vs. Viva Burrito or Anna's Taqueria, but I will say that they go far and above their counterparts to eliminate cross-contamination and ensure safety for customers with food allergies.

[deanwo]

I've eaten at a Chipolte's in Orlando near the airport a few times and agree that the food is good and value oriented. Glad to hear they also take care of customers with food allergies.

[loucook]

Good food..very quick too. Kind of an industrial feel to the place. Not someplace I'd head out to dinner all dressed up. Oh and they need to have more selections of salsa!! Good for a quick eat though

[westford]

My sister was just telling about the one in Woburn (she liked it).

[Ghostdog]

I'll check it out of I'm in the area. The chain I wish had taken off as Baja Fresh. Great idea and really good food. They are still operating in other states but closed the MAss locations. La Carretas is my local pick. I spent some time in San Antonio last summer and sure miss the variety of superb Mexican and Tex-Mex places. The quality and prices were astounding at just about every place I went into.