Chipotle

[Moondog]

http://www.chipotle.com/

(On their homepage, click on "Development.")

OKC, Tulsa and a few other cities are on the map for expansion. Also, a friend of mine who is in the know, has told me that Chipotle is scouting out prospective sites here in the metro.

Oh... and on the same page, they take site recommendations from visitors... so if you think you know of a good spot for one, click on "speak."

[metro]

Yep, it's already been discussed. Check out the thread in I believe the "OKC Metro Area Talk" section.

[diesel]

I figured since Qdoba and Moes have came to the OKC market, why not see if Chipotle has interest here.. And infact they do.. I emailed them and this is what they responded with,

"Greg,

I know that we have started to look at opening in Oklahoma City so it is only a matter of time now, friend. Please hang in there a little longer!

Sincerely,
Dawn Dillon
Mojo Mama
Chipotle"

[metro]

Yes, this was already announced in the Food Court. But great news, nonetheless. I recommended the put a shop in the CBD as well as the Plaza Court building in MidTown.

[Luke]

Plaza Court would be great! Belle Isle near Pei Wei and Moe's would be a good fit too.

[diesel]

Plaza Court would be great! Belle Isle near Pei Wei and Moe's would be a good fit too.

Yeah Moe's and Chipotle in the same parking lot.. Great idea..

[wsucougz]

Plaza Court would be great! Belle Isle near Pei Wei and Moe's would be a good fit too.

-Sure, then let's round out Plaza Court with an Applebee's and a radio shack and we'll be on our way to the ****ification of Midtown, too.

Sorry to be so reactionary, but I don't understand why a chain restaurant is a good idea for the Plaza Court. I agree with a restaurant being a good idea, but It would be nice to see us get some local flavor in there... something distinctive and a little different, and also a pub of the same nature - to get some people on the ground and start realizing the unique potential of Midtown.

[metro]

MidTown will be unique, and already is frankly! If you remember correctly, a Mexican establishment was announced for Plaza Court about a year or so ago and did some significant construction and almost opened. Not sure what happened. I don't agree with putting a lot of chains in there, Subway is already in there and US Cellular and Starbucks are rumored to be going in there. I say no more than 3 chains and the rest should be local. The chains help anchor the complex so that it can be successful for locals.

[metro]

I got this email today from them.

Thank you for writing us, and we will get to OKC someday, I am sure. Hang in there friend, and we hope to see you eventually!

Sincerely,

Joe Stupp
Manager, Duct Tape and Plungers
Chipotle

[okcitian]

I tried Chipotle in Washington D.C. last week and i thought it was pretty good. It was right in Georgetown and I thought the food was pretty good.

[metro]

FYI, I emailed Chipotle last week and got this response back today. Looks like they're finally coming to OKC area!

Steven,

Thank you for your suggestion. We have plans to open in Edmond so I'm sure we'll get to Oklahoma City too someday. Hang in there!

Sincerely,
Dawn Dillon
Mojo Mama
Chipotle

[urbnchic]

I agree... Plaza Court should stay local... although a Starbucks would be nice, but maybe at the corner of 13 & Broadway. There is a lovely little spot there that needs something. I have heard Midtown is going to stay as local as possible. Go Banta!

[BG918]

I would like to see one in Norman as well.

[metro]

Okay, but what does that have to do with the announcement of Chipotle entering the market in Edmond?

[bombermwc]

MWC - stick it on 29th instead of another steak joint!

[jbrown84]

I don't really understand why it has taken them so long to get into this market. Or anywhere in OK for that matter. They are all over the place in Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri...

[Bobby H]

I'll echo my bewilderment on Oklahoma having no Chipotle locations.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has 31 locations. Houston has umpteen of them. San Antonio and Austin have around 20 amongst themselves. The Denver-Colorado Springs region has 50 locations.

It's not like Chipotle is any kind of exclusive, shi shi, four star restaurant chain that just happens to sell big, custom made burritos. So I don't see why cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa have been overlooked by this chain for so long. Same goes for Little Rock and especially Albuquerque. There's no Chipotle locations in Arkansas or New Mexico either.

What I find pretty odd is how Chipotle apparently has a couple business development offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Just no actual stores.

I think Chipotle would go over pretty well in at least several Oklahoma cities and towns. OKC could support several of the restaurants on its own. Cities like Norman, Edmond, Moore and Yukon could each use at least 1 of the restaurants. Even places like Stillwater, Lawton and Ardmore could probably provide a lot of success for the chain.

[jbrown84]

I'll echo my bewilderment on Oklahoma having no Chipotle locations.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has 31 locations. Houston has umpteen of them. San Antonio and Austin have around 20 amongst themselves. The Denver-Colorado Springs region has 50 locations.

It's not like Chipotle is any kind of exclusive, shi shi, four star restaurant chain that just happens to sell big, custom made burritos. So I don't see why cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa have been overlooked by this chain for so long. Same goes for Little Rock and especially Albuquerque. There's no Chipotle locations in Arkansas or New Mexico either.

What I find pretty odd is how Chipotle apparently has a couple business development offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Just no actual stores.

I think Chipotle would go over pretty well in at least several Oklahoma cities and towns. OKC could support several of the restaurants on its own. Cities like Norman, Edmond, Moore and Yukon could each use at least 1 of the restaurants. Even places like Stillwater, Lawton and Ardmore could probably provide a lot of success for the chain.

I can understand going to Texas and Denver first, but Wichita and Topeka get several locations before they even touch OKC or Tulsa????

[HOT ROD]

I don't really understand why it has taken them so long to get into this market. Or anywhere in OK for that matter. They are all over the place in Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri...

that is an interesting point, why does it take retailiers so long to locate to OKC, yet OKC was voted the "fast food capital of america."? You'd think given that distinction, there would be In N Out burger, Jack-in-the-box, Chipotle, Whitecastle, every fast food place would be here.

I think that fast food capital crap was heavily misleading. true OKC could be the fast food capital but to say that the city has more fast food than others is ludacrist.

that said, I am glad OKC does have lots of food choices. I hope the upscale and healthy choices continue to improve also.

[CMSturgeon]

Chipotle would explode in Norman, probably wouldn't be AS popular in Moore but would definitely get business. It seems like it'd be a great downtown spot as well for all those business lunch peeps. I was at the court house downtown one day waiting on my mom and walked over to a deli (Jasons Deli?) and it was completely full with people waiting outside as well at lunch time. I bet Chipotle would have the same response.

[FRISKY]

I would like to see one in Norman as well.

Chipotle would explode in Norman.

There was an Atomic Burrito in Norman a couple years ago that was very similar to Chipotle. It had great food and did good business, but it was taken over by a larger chain that closed it. I believe it is a McAlister’s Deli now.

[metro]

There isn't a Jason's Deli downtown. Right by the courthouse is an urban Subway and Harvey St. Grill. Nearby in Leadership Square is City Bites and Ground Floor Cafe.

[CMSturgeon]

Well this was a long time ago, at least over 5 years ago. I know it was a sandwich place for sure and it was prettyy big and near the memorial. I know it wasnt either of the ones you listed.

[Martin]

i'm pretty sure you're thinking of markie's deli. -M

[CMSturgeon]

If Markie's is north across the street from the memorial then I think you are right.