Reader: I'd rather see Chipotle succeed than another precious farm-to-table bistro

Chipotle got its start in Denver, when founder Steve Ells opened the first Chipotle at 1644 Evans Avenue in July 1993. There are now 74 Chipotle locations in Colorado -- and another thousand around the globe -- and yesterday all of this state's stores introduced the first new protein in...

By Patricia Calhoun

September 24, 2013

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Chipotle got its start in Denver, when founder Steve Ells opened the first Chipotle at 1644 Evans Avenue in July 1993. There are now 74 Chipotle locations in Colorado -- and another thousand around the globe -- and yesterday all of this state's stores introduced the first new protein in two decades, the vegan sofritas.

The announcement was met with the usual quibbles about fast-casual food, as well as some comments about the hazards of soy. All of which prompted this from monopod:

Compared to most fast food or fast-casual food, Chipotle is the French Laundry. What other national chain uses high-quality meat that's grilled right in front of you, and can still sell you a ginormous burrito with it for $6? Personally, I'd rather see them succeed than yet another precious farm-to-table bistro that charges $18 for three bites of food.

Would you rather eat at Chipotle than at a farm-to-table bistro? And do you plan to try sofritas?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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