Chipotle Mexican Grill

Denver is the fast-casual restaurant capital of the country, and it has Chipotle to thank for that honor. Steve Ells launched his burrito chain in a former Dolly Madison ice cream parlor back in 1992, marrying high-end culinary technique with Mexican flavor and counter service. It’s now commonplace to move down a line and assemble your own dish from vats of ingredients on offer, but when Chipotle first rolled out its steam table of such high-end meats as barbacoa beef and carnitas, black and pinto beans, freshly made salsa, and guacamole that garnered a cult following, it started a dining revolution, eventually birthing an entire industry of good food made fast. The original Chipotle at 1644 East Evans Avenue recently underwent a remodel to bring it in line with its more modern siblings around the world; it’s worth a visit to see where it all began.