Ode to Chipotle

It's spicy! It's addictive! It's fresh, and today it was FREE! I discovered Chipotle about 3 years ago. A friend asked if I'd like to go there after we had seen a show together. I have to admit I was afraid of the spicy factor. I like a little spice, but I'm definitely a mild salsa kind of gal. I ordered the steak tacos. Yummy! A little spicy, but really tasty. I didn't go back very often, because, let's face it, I'm getting older, and my body doesn't love spicy but every so often. Now, let me say right now that I am not a bean lover, legumes to be specific. I don't eat limas or navy beans or baked beans or black-eyed peas or black beans or pinto beans, and refried beans? FORGET IT! So imagine my horror when I was at a rehearsal for a show and dinner was being provided from Chipotle, and it was Burritos! All I could think was BEANS!!!!, but I was hungry so I graciously took one and ate it. First of all if you've never had a Chipotle burrito, they could feed a small village. It's huge and stuffed to the max with rice, beans, meat, lettuce, cheese, pico de gallo, and sour cream. To my astonishment, I really liked it, and don't tell my daughter, but I couldn't even taste the beans. The other thing is that anyone who knows me knows that I don't eat food together. I eat one thing at a time, and usually in separate bowls, so mixing all of those things together and wrapping them in a tortilla was a real stretch for my palate. Don't think that I did a complete 360 the next time I went to Chipotle, I still didn't choose the beans, but they have this thing called a burrito bowl. It's pretty much everything that's in a burrito without the tortilla, burrito innards, so to speak. I ordered the burrito bowl with white rice, NO BEANS :), steak, mild salsa (which is really the freshest, most delicious pico de gallo you will ever taste) sour cream and cheese. My taste buds were doing the happy dance! Chipotle became my go to "fast food" place, although you can't really call it fast food, eventhough they are very quick in serving you, and you do go through a line, but it is FRESH, like cooking all the meat on a huge grill right behind the serving line FRESH. If you haven't guessed by now, I love Chipotle, so I was thrilled when my oldest gave me a gift card for Mother's Day. Pay day isn't until Friday, so I am a little low on funds at the moment, so today I was going to use my gift card to get lunch. I left to go to the brand new Chipotle that is the closest to my work. When I pulled into the parking lot I noticed that there was a man standing at the front door speaking to people as they came in and opening the door for them. I thought, WOW! talk about customer service! but then I noticed a sign on the door that said that the store would not be open until tomorrow. I was disappointed, but I thought I'd get out and ask anyway. I mean, other people were going in. As I got out of the car I said, "You're not opening until tomorrow?" He said, "You can come in." So in I went and got on line. I was greeted by a wonderful smile and very upbeat server asking me what I would like. Each server on the line was just as friendly and courteous. As I got to the cashier and she rang up my order, steak burrito bowl, chips, side of mild salsa and a large drink, she said $12.30. I started to hand her my gift card, and then she threw up her hands and said, "It's mock day! Everything is FREE!" I was thrilled, and so was everyone in the restaurant. As I filled up my drink cup at the fountain, two other ladies and I discussed how the experience made us feel. The one lady told me as she was leaving to have a great day. I was smiling from ear to ear as I got in my car. Today, Chipotle not only nourished my body, but my soul as well! Something I sorely needed today! Bravo Chipotle! Keep up the good work!