I decided to go to Chipotle today, since I was at Freebirds so recently and could hopefully compare. I tried to order a burrito as close to the one I had at Freebirds as possible, in order to make a reasonable comparison. My Chipotle burrito was good, but I preferred Freebirds for reasons as follows: More than one tortilla choice. I really like spinach tortillas, and that is an option at Freebirds and not at Chipotle. I liked the rice better at Freebirds. I ordered the tomatillo sauce at both restuarants and while the Chipotle sauce was a little spicier, which I liked, the sauce was far less flavorful. The guacamole at Chipotle was cold, which dramatically dropped the temperature of my burrito, whereas it was room temperature at Freebirds. They were both good, and I think they're better than Moe's, although it's probably been too long since I've eaten there to compare well. May have to eat there next!

I ate at Chipotle last night, I too think it was better than Moe's or Qdoba, but only slightly. As someone above said, you can count the differences on one hand. I think the quality is just slightly a step above of the other places. I have yet to try Freebirds. I too think probably the only difference why others might think it is better (and it may be) because of more choices (i.e. sauces, tortillas, etc.) as someone pointed out. I personally think the quality of rice, beans, meat, guac, etc. can only get so good for a $6 burrito, other than that, it's just personal preference. Of course a person from Austin, is probably going to favor Freebirds more since it's local and what they know more, just like a person from Denver probably prefers Qdoba or Chipotle better.

I ADORE Chipotle. It's all about the meat to me. Their meat is great. Beans and rice are outstanding too. Haven't been to Freebirds or Qdoba, but Moe's isn't as good. Seems like the burritos are smaller there too.

Metro,

Freebirds didn't start in Austin or even Texas for that matter...

Freebirds World Burrito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebirds_World_Burrito)

For what it's worth, I think Chipotle has the highest quality ingredients and is the most fresh. So many people go there that the food never has a chance to sit around. I also think the cilantro lime rice is much better than the standard spanish-style rice. It's also nice that they have carnitas and barbacoa. The thin sliced romaine lettuce is really good too.

Did I mention that I own Chipotle stock? I probably have to disclose that.

That being said, Freebirds is really good and I live in Norman so, I will go there a lot. Mission Burrito in Houston is my favorite though.

Metro,

Freebirds didn't start in Austin or even Texas for that matter...

Freebirds World Burrito - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freebirds_World_Burrito)

Thanks for the clarification, although Wikipedia isn't a good source to use for references since you or I can edit it. In fact, it looks like we're both wrong, according to Freebirds own website (much more reliable than the Wiki), the first location was in Santa Barbara not Isla Vista. Freebirds World Burrito (http://www.freebirds.com/fast/contact.htm)

Most scholars don't consider it a reputable source. Either way, you get my point on its all about personal preference and geography of what is more common in your area.

Academia may hate it because it takes away their job, but Wiki is usually pretty accurate. Especially in non-controversial entrys.

Isla Vista is right next to Santa Barbara and is basically party central for UCSB. The Freebirds I've been to is in Isla Vista and is the one that my Santa Barbara friends took me to long ago. It's legendary, but it's possible they had one in SB first. However, I think the franchise chain is in name only. In any event, the IV Freebirds is definitely the best burrito I have ever had. Never been to Chipotle, though.

Painted on the window. . .in the strip center across from Baptist (close to Conn's). . .Chipotle # XXXX. Anyone know when they are scheduled to open?

Painted on the window. . .in the strip center across from Baptist (close to Conn's). . .Chipotle # XXXX. Anyone know when they are scheduled to open?

Yeah, just saw it this week! I'm pretty excited about it since that's really close to my office. Not sure on the open but it looks like they've got quite a bit of work to do. I'd guess 2-3 months at least.

I sent an email to Chipotle HQ asking about it, but not sure if I'll hear back anything. Will post if I do.

You guys who like Chipotle/Qdoba/Moes/Freebirds etc, what do you think about Taco Del Mar?

We have lots of em up here (not many Chipotle and qdoba just recently expanded here). But Taco Del Mar is sort of a favourite up here -

OKC has one in Midwest City. Give it a try/post what you think.

You guys who like Chipotle/Qdoba/Moes/Freebirds etc, what do you think about Taco Del Mar?

We have lots of em up here (not many Chipotle and qdoba just recently expanded here). But Taco Del Mar is sort of a favourite up here -

OKC has one in Midwest City. Give it a try/post what you think.


I went to the Taco Del Mar in MWC twice. The first time, my food was okay but not as good as the other places. The second time, we almost didn't order because the whole place smelled like rotting fish inside. The food tasted slightly better then than the first time, but nothing I would go back for.

HUH FRICKIN' RAY!!!!!! I was just telling all my friends the other day that OKC just doesn't have enough places that you can find everywhere else!!!!

...totally excited :dizzy:

OKC has almost every place we have in Seattle, I can only think of Jacknthebox and Dicks being the only two that OKC doesn't have. Yet, Dicks is a local chain so I wouldn't expect OKC to have it.

Yet, OKC has WAY MORE than what we have. We JUST NOW got Long John Silvers (and they are in Tacoma suburbs), for instance, and all Popeye's are also in Tacoma suburbs. We have no Sonic, no Carl's Junior/Hardees, and no Chili's (they just left). We also have no Ruby Tuesdays (tacoma does tho), no barrell (I forget the name), no furrs, etc.

Count your blessings, OKC is sort of a food mecca. Here, not so much.

i prefer ATOMIC BURRITO to CHIPOTLE.
i may be wrong, but i think it was atomic burrito that started in austin.

HUH FRICKIN' RAY!!!!!! I was just telling all my friends the other day that OKC just doesn't have enough places that you can find everywhere else!!!!

...totally excited :dizzy:

Oh, but it's SOOOOO good!

Isla Vista is right next to Santa Barbara and is basically party central for UCSB. The Freebirds I've been to is in Isla Vista and is the one that my Santa Barbara friends took me to long ago. It's legendary, but it's possible they had one in SB first. However, I think the franchise chain is in name only. In any event, the IV Freebirds is definitely the best burrito I have ever had. Never been to Chipotle, though.

They're both really good, IMO. When I go to Freebirds, I think it's better, and when I go to Chipotle, I think I was wrong about Freebirds. Glad I have the opportunity to go to both from time to time. It's probably not good for my waistline to have a Chipotle closer than Edmond.

Am new to this forum and love it. Have a question for anyone who might know. We thought we saw something in the paper about a Chipotle Grill opening in OKC and would love to know where and when. Driving to the one in Edmond is not easy.

Thanks for any info.

No idea on when it will open, but there will be one at Northwest Expressway and Independence, in the same strip center as Beverly's and Conn's.

No idea on when it will open, but there will be one at Northwest Expressway and Independence, in the same strip center as Beverly's and Conn's.

Thank you for the info! We'll be watching that area.

It looks like it still has quite aways to go, I'm guessing end of November early December opening.

Is there one supposed to be opening in the Midwest City Town Center?

FYI, the Expressway location opens on the 23rd of this month.

Whooooo

The NW Highway location has delayed their opening to January 28th, 2009.

This was in my email today




http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3231385523_0006d1eeb3.jpg

Already had been in for my burrito bol, and the new digs are nice. Looks like there is a nice enclosed patio with windows that will open for nice weather.

It looks like it would be much bigger than the Edmond location. Is that the case?

We went last night. It's about the same size as the one in Edmond.

Looks like Norman is finally getting a Chipotle pretty soon. They're looking for a general manager. Anyone know where the location will be? I thought Campus Corner would be great, but i'm not sure they'd want to do that with Freebirds being there.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Job Postings (http://www4.recruitingcenter.net/clients/chipotle/publicjobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=11804)

So why did Stillwater beat Norman to getting a Chipotle?

So why did Stillwater beat Norman to getting a Chipotle?

That's question many in Norman are wanting to know. Norman will now have the trifecta of burrito chains with Freebirds, Qdoba and Chipotle.

I don't think Chipotle is all that good...Moe's is 10 times better then them or Freebirds.

I don't think Chipotle is all that good...Moe's is 10 times better then them or Freebirds.

Never had Freebird, but I agree Moe's is better than Chipotle or qdoba (sp?)

Freebird is awesome but I have never had the others.

I don't think Chipotle is all that good...Moe's is 10 times better then them or Freebirds.

seriously?

my ranking:

1. Chipotle
2. Qdoba
3. Moe's
4. Freebirds

Gotta go with the pulled pork burrito at Qdoba...Excited about the one going in next to chik-fil-a at NW Expwy and Rockwell

not sure if it means much, but both chipotle and boston market are own by mcdonalds. i used to love chipotle, til i got sick there

both chipotle and boston market are own by mcdonalds.



Actually, McDonald's sold its interest in Chipotle a few years ago. For better or for worse, the "founding father" of Chipotle (a CIA grad, no less!) is the captain of the Chipotle ship.

http://tinyurl.com/lsjrxj

Looks like Norman is finally getting a Chipotle pretty soon. They're looking for a general manager. Anyone know where the location will be? I thought Campus Corner would be great, but i'm not sure they'd want to do that with Freebirds being there.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Job Postings (http://www4.recruitingcenter.net/clients/chipotle/publicjobs/controller.cfm?jbaction=JobProfile&Job_Id=11804)

Maybe as in what happened in Stillwater, in Norman Fazoli's is going out and Chipotle is going in its place.

Maybe as in what happened in Stillwater, in Norman Fazoli's is going out and Chipotle is going in its place.

Fazoli's in Norman was torn down. A bank was built in its place.

word is it is going in the bottom of Sooner Theater on Campus Corner. They are already working on it.

The Journal Record says an Iron Starr BBQ place will open where the old Harold's outlet on University in late September. Chipotle will also open on campus corner in September.

The Journal Record - Article (http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=100292)

I've never liked burritos, so all these burrito places are pretty useless to me. . . :(

Chipotle in UNP opened today. VERY enthusiastic group! Also, the interior looks great.

How does it compare to Qdoba?

I think they both pretty much taste the same. Same concept. Slightly different options.

Interior does look good, maybe a bit too bare though. I also think the music could come down slightly.

How does it compare to Qdoba?

taste is subjective, but i prefer them over qdoba. -M

I prefer Chipotle, but I wish they would make smaller sized menu items. I realize you can get a bowl, but I do like the tortilla in a burrito. But, if I check the calories in a chicken burrito I like, it's over 1,000. Personally, I'm not one of those people who want more for my money when it comes to food. I'd rather have a burrito half that size so I'm not tempted to overeat. Chipotle likes to emphasize that they use healthy meat, etc, but their portion sizes are not healthy. We somehow need to stop the idea that you're not getting your money's worth unless you are stuffed at the end of a meal.

I prefer Chipotle, but I wish they would make smaller sized menu items. I realize you can get a bowl, but I do like the tortilla in a burrito. But, if I check the calories in a chicken burrito I like, it's over 1,000. Personally, I'm not one of those people who want more for my money when it comes to food. I'd rather have a burrito half that size so I'm not tempted to overeat. Chipotle likes to emphasize that they use healthy meat, etc, but their portion sizes are not healthy. We somehow need to stop the idea that you're not getting your money's worth unless you are stuffed at the end of a meal.

I suppose chop it in half and brown bag it home could work, or do like BBates often writes about and split the entree with another person. Not my first plan of a day, but yeah, it probably ought to be.

I suppose chop it in half and brown bag it home could work, or do like BBates often writes about and split the entree with another person. Not my first plan of a day, but yeah, it probably ought to be.

That is actually what I do, but I think the problem is that giving someone that much food implies that it is their meal and they should finish it if they want their "money's worth". If your lunch is 1,000 calories and you have breakfast and dinner, it's going to be hard to stay a reasonable weight. I just wish that restaurants that imply they're trying to be health conscious, serving organic meat, etc, should look to their portion sizes as well.

I prefer Qdoba. I don't care for the Chipolte atmosphere -- seems more industrial to me -- but personal preference. And I like Qdoba's chicken better. I go with the naked chicken taco salad with no chips and salsa. It's 200 calories. I like it better than the sit down places at lunch because I don't get the unlimited chips and salsa that I seem to have so much trouble resisting.

What is UNP? I like Chitole better too

What is UNP? I like Chitole better too

University North Park - A thus far over promised and under delivered retail/banking/office/hotel district on NW 24th between W Robinson and W Tecumseh in Norman (though at the moment there's really nada north of Rock Creek except for minor infrastructure and hopes on paper.)

University North Park - A thus far over promised and under delivered retail/banking/office/hotel district on NW 24th between W Robinson and W Tecumseh in Norman (though at the moment there's really nada north of Rock Creek except for minor infrastructure and hopes on paper.)

<Sarcasm>
Come on now Kevin... how can you say under delivered when there are two... that's right TWO Mattress stores in UNP???
</Sarcasm>

uh, actually, aren't there now (groan) three? Didn't one open in the same lil' strip the Chipotle went in?

Wonder if any of the mattress stores carry the Magniflex $90K?

uh, actually, aren't there now (groan) three? Didn't one open in the same lil' strip the Chipotle went in?

o, well i guess that's possible. it's been a while since i have really paid attention on my way to Target. really, 3??? wow, that's just insane

University North Park - A thus far over promised and under delivered retail/banking/office/hotel district on NW 24th between W Robinson and W Tecumseh in Norman (though at the moment there's really nada north of Rock Creek except for minor infrastructure and hopes on paper.)

Hopefully once the new business park is going, that will help kick things into gear finally.