CHIPOTLE: FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
ADDRESS: 1644 East Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80210
It’s been a little while since I’ve added to this “Food Adventures” section that I set up after wanting to document me and my friends eating unhealthy amounts of White Castle sliders (over four years ago, now that I look at it). This past weekend, however, presented an opportunity once again for something I would probably classify as a food adventure.
My friends Andrew and Angie recently moved out to Denver and this weekend I flew out there to hang out with the both of them for a couple of days. I just so happened to remember that Denver was also the birthplace of now one of the most recognizable Mexican fast-casual restaurant chains: Chipotle.
After landing in Denver in the late morning, Andrew picked me up from the airport and from there we set off to satisfy our Chipotle cravings. The hour drive back into the city built up the anticipation of eating at the original restaurant of the chain I have come to hold in such high regard.
The store itself was set up a few blocks from the University of Denver campus, right on the corner of East Evans Avenue and South Gilpin Street. The signage looks a little different, but you could tell the typeface was still the same as all the other restaurants across the country.
The thing that surprised us the most, though, was how small the inside of the restaurant was. With space to seat only about 20 – 25 people, this Chipotle also lacked the full windowed ingredient bar that you’ve come to expect when ordering; rather, it just had a counter with a cash register and a person making each order behind there. Crazy to think that this quaint little restaurant that started in 1993 would grow to become the fast-casual juggernaut that it is today.
Did the food actually taste better there? I thought it did. Regardless though, it was still a cool experience to dine at the original spot, if not for the bragging rights to say I’ve been to the place where it all started.
Categories: Food Adventures
Chu On This 