GrubGrade

W. 45th Street in NYC pictured below via ChipotleMedia on Twitter.  I think I’ve actually eaten at Chipotle about 2 times and it’s always crazy packed.  As for “to-go” orders, I have made hundreds .  Let’s hope this new design helps.

I live around a bunch of fast casual Mexican restaurants. Chipotle, Moe’s, Q’doba, Baja Fresh and California Tortilla are all within a short driving distance for me. I really like guacamole and, of course, I get it everywhere I go.  I actually have yet to try Q’doba but it’s on my list.  As far as the other 4 places go, I rank the guac like this.

1. Chipotle
2. Baja Fresh
3. Moe’s
4. California Tortilla

As you can see, Cali Tortilla is in dead last in my opinion.  Their guacamole is just sad. It’s really a pathetic attempt and it is way overdue for an update.  Well, it’s been updated.  I just found out today and I’ll be trying it tomorrow.  California Tortilla has actually revamped their menu.  See what’s new, changed and eliminated. It figures that my go-to order, the Low-Fat Caribbean Burrito Bowl, is no longer on the menu…due to poor sales.  So anyway, tomorrow I will try this new guacamole from CT and I will update this Top 4 Fast Casual Guac list if it wins me over.

Left: Good (Caballo Viejo), Right: Bad (Cali Tortilla)

This Saturday is Halloween…Are you out of ideas as to what to wear?  How about wrapping yourself up in aluminum foil?  Well that’s just one way you can sort of make it look like you’re dressed up as a Chipotle burrito.  From 6pm to close this Saturday, October 31st, come to Chipotle dressed up as your favorite burrito, bowl, salad or tacos and score yourself some free grub. A free burrito.  Take that Taco Bell!  Chipotle calls it BOO-RITO.  Will you be participating?

Chipotle is pretty popular around here.  There is always a line, and I hate waiting in line when I’m hungry.  Now if you have an iPhone or iPod touch you don’t have to.  Chipotle has created an app where you can order you food and also pay for it all from your mobile device.  This is actually a relaunch of the application that came out in January but was plagued by glitches.  Everything is running smooth now.

You can enter the address of you favorite Chipotle or the app will find the location that is closest by.

Would you like a chicken burrito, veggie bowl or steak tacos?  The app gives you the same ordering options as you would have if you were in Chipotle.

Customize your burrito with all the usual Chipotle options.

Add any side items here.  Would you like extra cheese or just a little sour cream, list that on the special instructions page.  You can also save your order for future visits.

Finalize your order and pay all from the convenience of your iPhone or iPod Touch.  More and more of restaurants are developing these types of ordering apps and it looks to be the future of the take-out/delivery business.  The simplicity of the app makes is great, and the fact that it will keep you from waiting in line is also a big plus.  So if you have one of the Apple devices and are a Chipotle fan, I suggest you give this free download a try.  Just search “Chipotle Ordering” or “Chipotle Mexican Grill” from the iTunes store.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has rolled out a new identity.  The popular fast-food mexican grill chain has changed their logo.  It isn’t much different from the previous logo.  I actually like the new logo.  What do you think?  (thanks Bear for the heads up)

In addition, they have come out with “Food with Integrity” Medallions. Check them out below:

Source:  UnderConstruction.com/Brand New

Hey out there in the Mile High City,  Chipotle has chosen you to be the guinea pig for their new menu items.  Chipotle is adding new featured items, a kid’s menu and what they call the “Low Roller Menu”.  The purpose of the changes is to simplify ordering as well as offering meals at a lower price point.  Source: FastCasual.com

Chipotle is known for their football size burritos, but the ” Low Roller Menu” will include new smaller entrees such as:

• Soup ($2.99/3.69 with chicken) – 8 oz. cup of vegetarian soup with roasted tomatillos, tomato and hominy; with the option to add naturally raised chicken.

• Chicken Taco & Soup ($4.65) – One soft or crispy taco made with naturally raised chicken, choice of salsa, sour cream or cheese, and lettuce, served with a cup of Soup.

• Single Tacos ($2.25) – Crispy corn, soft flour or soft corn tortilla with a choice of naturally raised meat, salsa, sour cream or cheese, and lettuce.

• Side Salad ($2.95/3.65 with chicken) – Chopped romaine lettuce with salsa and cheese, served with freshly-made chipotle honey-vinaigrette.

Aside from the usual burritos, burrito bowls and tacos, the new menu will include “Featured Items”  which all hover around the $6 mark such as:

• Chicken Pozole ($5.55) – Roasted tomatillo, tomato and hominy soup served over cilantro-lime rice and topped with naturally raised grilled chicken and cheese.

• Omnivore ($5.95) – A salad of chopped romaine lettuce with naturally raised chicken, black beans, tomato salsa and cheese. Served with freshly made chipotle-honey vinaigrette.

• Classic Burrito ($5.95) – Naturally raised grilled chicken served in a flour tortilla with cilantro-lime rice, black beans, roasted chili-corn salsa and sour cream.

• Carnitavore ($6.35) – A burrito bowl with naturally raised shredded pork, cilantro-lime rice, pinto beans, tomatillo green-chili salsa and cheese.

For all you parents out there who used to share your burrito with your kid because there is noway they could eat one on there own, Chipotle has finally added a kid’s menu to the lineup.  All items on the kid’s menu come in at less than $4 including a drink  It features:

• Kid’s Meal – they build it ($3.95) – With this unique twist on a kid’s meal, Chipotle is inviting children to get creative with their food. Kids can choose any three ingredients (one naturally raised meat and then two other ingredients from the line, like salsa and cheese) and two crispy or two soft taco shells, all served on a tray. From there, it’s up to them to construct and enjoy their tacos. This Kid’s Meal also comes with rice and a small order of chips.

• Single Taco – we build it ($3.50) – This option is especially good for families on the go. Rather than being served on the build-your-own tray, Chipotle’s crew builds single tacos using soft or crispy shells and a choice of any three items from the line. Single Tacos also come with an order of small chips.

• Small Cheese Quesadilla ($2.95)/Small Meat & Cheese Quesadilla ($3.50) – This classic kid favorite is served with a side of rice or beans, and a small order of chips.

Chipotle is definitely one of my favorite grub spots, but I’m not sure how I feel about the changes to the menu.  I always thought the simplicity was one of its strengths.  The Chipotle’s around where I live are always packed and the limited number of choices kept the lines moving.  I think it also helps with the quality of the food.  They stick to a limited number of options and they do them well.  Let’s hope the quality of the food doesn’t suffer as the number of choices goes up.  We are counting on you, Denver, to let us know.

Einstein Bros. Bagels has introduced a new low-cal menu.  

From QSRMag:

In a time when menus can come with a generous portion of calories, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Noah’s Bagels are introducing an all-new Lighter Fare menu, with three lunch items and two breakfast items, each containing less than 400 calories.

The limited-time lunch menu will be available from April 1, 2009 through June 30 and the breakfast menu beginning July 1, 2009 through September 29 at participating Einstein Bros. and Noah’s restaurants nationwide. Prices and locations subject to availability.

Lighter Fare Lunch Menu items include:

Ancho Chicken Wedge

350 calories, 14 grams fat

A wheat tortilla filled with chile rajas, jalapeno salsa cream cheese and marinated ancho chicken.

Mediterranean Turkey Sandwich

380 calories, 12 grams fat

Fresh baked Harvest Grain bread with sliced turkey, balsamic pepper relish, reduced-fat sun-dried tomato cream cheese, lettuce, and red onion.

Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad

390 calories, 27 grams fat

Mixed greens with balsamic pepper relish, tomatoes, red onions and marinated ancho chicken with a light balsamic vinaigrette.

Lighter Fare breakfast menu, served all day, includes:

Einstein Bros. Egg White Sandwich with Turkey Sausage

400 calories, 7 grams fat

An egg white sandwich with turkey sausage and ancho salsa, served on a Good Grains bagel, baked fresh daily in the restaurant.

Noah’s Egg White Sandwich with Turkey Sausage

400 calories, 5 grams fat

An egg white sandwich with turkey sausage and ancho salsa, served on a plain bagel, baked fresh daily in the restaurant.

Egg White Florentine Wedge with Turkey Sausage

390 calories, 18 grams fat

A wheat tortilla filled with egg whites, sausage, spinach, mushrooms and jalapeno salsa cream cheese.

I unfortunately didn’t notice this new menu yesterday when I stopped by Einstein for lunch.  I’m not sure if I have the strength and willpower to resist the California Chicken Wrap.  I had my blinders on.  It clocks in at 630 calories, 29 grams of fat and is as big as a Chipotle burrito.  Observe.

Grilled natural chicken wrapped in a wheat tortilla with garlic herb cream cheese, greens, tomato, cucumber, red onion, alfalfa sprouts & a zesty roasted tomato spread.

In Health Magazine’s latest issue they list the Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants.  There are a few surprises on the list and a couple of eye opening omissions.  Coming in at #1 on the list is Panera Bread.  You wouldn’t usually equate a bakery that sells breads, bagels and pastries with “healthy” would you?  Panera has enough options to build a healthy meal for those of us who are trying to watch our waist lines.  Whole grain breads are available for sandwiches as well as low fat soups and salads.

Panera Bread is the best, here are the rest:

• #2 Jason’s Deli
• #3 Au Bon Pain
• #4 Noodles and Company
• #5 Corner Bakery Cafe
• #6 Chipotle
• #7 Atlanta Bread
• #8 McDonalds
• #9 Einstein Bros Bagels
• #10 Taco Del Mar

When I look at this list there is one entry that sticks out like a sore thumb.  It’s McDonald’s and I’m sure you noticed it too.  I know they offer some salads and a couple of wraps, but how does a place famous for Big Macs, double cheeseburgers and french fries make the list of healthiest fast food restaurants?  Beats me.

As shocked as I was to see McDonald’s on the list, I was equally surprised to see Subway missing from it.  With options like oven roasted chicken breast, lean ham or roast beef how can Subway not be included on the list of healthiest fast food restaurants?   Subway currently offers 15 salads or sandwiches with 6 grams or less of fat.  That sounds pretty healthy to me and I’m sure Jared would agree.

Check out the article:

Health Magazine