Chipotle expanding to London in 2009

Man oh man, I miss those! I could kill for a bowl of chicken noodle with a matzoball the size of a basketball in the middle! And a tuna melt.

HEY!  PA has quite a few diners as well.  I want a big glass of Iced Tea and breakfast with blueberry pancakes.  Blueberries inside, not a pile of goop on top.

Vicky -
Chipotle is not really "fast food" as usual. Its fresh, customizable and yummy! Its all made right there in front of you. Basically take a huge chewy flour tortilla, put some really good cilantro (coriander?) flavoured rice, black or pinto beans, choice of meat or no meat, various choices of salsas, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and then wrap it all up and eat until your hearts content!  (or put it in a bowl and eat with fork - much easier)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1135/530320630_2d4a6c180e_o.jpg

Super yum.

Sounds pretty good, thanks.


Vicky

Bleurgh.  Chipotle does nothing for me.  My husband, however, is thrilled.   

Oh, what I'd give for a Chick-Fil-A!

Man, London gets Whole Foods, Arizona Iced Tea and now Chipotle?! Man, the North East totally gets the shaft when it comes to things like this.

And I second the call for a Chick-Fil-A!

Okay okay okay... In my opinion, no need to wait for Chipotle.  I just went to "Chilango" and I swear they copied Chipotle (or at least did one better in my opinion, though they do have lime rice... strange that).

It is on Fleet Street, just west of City Thames Link (and St. Paul's) and is about a 5 minute walk from my office... I just had the most satisfying lunch I have had in a LONG LONG time.  I am so happy I could just skip out of here...

I found out about them via Time Out London, who had done an article on cheap and tasty Mexican resteraunts in London.  I saw them listed not to far from my office and wondered why I never heard of them.  I can attest that on Time Out London that the Taqueria lives up to expectations and scratches that Mexican itch.  I don't know about the others on the list, but I will probably find a reason to give them a go sooner or later.

And I second the call for a Chick-Fil-A!

Oh god no!  That would totally ruin whatever diet I have been on...  I have to ration myself when I go home with that place.  I allow myself one visit a week.  If they came to London... I shiver.

I worked at a Chick-Fil-A on my uni campus and let me tell you....

Nothing actually, we were all really clean and nothing gross happened that I am aware of, so feel free to eat away and bring me some half lemonade half iced tea please!

Ok, I'm new here and this is my first post so maybe I'm way out of line here but....

I can't believe people on this thread whining and complaining about "American chains" opening in the UK.  How can this not be a good thing?  YOU may not care for Chipotle, or Subway, or whatever, but having food from home is going to make the transition easy for some people.  I can say personally that having Chipotle here when I got here would have made it much easier for me.  And even though I don't care for Subway I would never gripe about it being here because I'm sure it makes some people very happy.

If you don't like Chipotle(or even better yet the person who posted a negative message that didn't even try the food) then why do you feel the need to discourage others from trying it or being excited for it coming to London?

We've all made a huge transition in our lives by moving to the UK.  I will be excited for anything that makes that transition easier for the people.

I can't believe people on this thread whining and complaining about "American chains" opening in the UK.  How can this not be a good thing?

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think it's a very bad thing. I don't like chains, full stop, whether they're American or British, and whether they're in the US or the UK. For the most part, they offer subpar food and, because they're so big, they can offer this rubbish at extremely low prices. Ultimately, that'll do nothing but drive out independent cafes and restaurants which actually serve good food. Yes, some people like places such as Subway, but that doesn't mean it's good. I'm tired of the food industry catering to the lowest common denominator.

Unfortunately from my experience, the quality of food chains that migrate to the UK are not nearly the same quality of value for money that you would get in the states. That alone is a big disappointment. And while I am not against globalism, I like my chains, its a bit depressing to see the same chains on the same streets in every city in the world. Places are in danger of losing their individuality and their culture with too many chains.

Ok, I'm new here and this is my first post so maybe I'm way out of line here but....

Er....you are obviously entitled to your opinion, but why so agressive?  We were just having a friendly chat!

Vicky

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think it's a very bad thing. I don't like chains, full stop, whether they're American or British, and whether they're in the US or the UK. For the most part, they offer subpar food and, because they're so big, they can offer this rubbish at extremely low prices. Ultimately, that'll do nothing but drive out independent cafes and restaurants which actually serve good food.

And while I am not against globalism, I like my chains, its a bit depressing to see the same chains on the same streets in every city in the world. Places are in danger of losing their individuality and their culture with too many chains.

Agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've all made a huge transition in our lives by moving to the UK.  I will be excited for anything that makes that transition easier for the people.

While there are many who do seek out american chains to help their transition, there are just as many of us who eased their transition by eating food from around here and enjoying it and prefer it now.

I'm very sorry you're having a rough time making the transition.  Hang in there...

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think it's a very bad thing. I don't like chains, full stop, whether they're American or British, and whether they're in the US or the UK. For the most part, they offer subpar food and, because they're so big, they can offer this rubbish at extremely low prices. Ultimately, that'll do nothing but drive out independent cafes and restaurants which actually serve good food. Yes, some people like places such as Subway, but that doesn't mean it's good. I'm tired of the food industry catering to the lowest common denominator.

Genau.

Most US chains I can take or leave (and, frankly, would rather leave), but there are a few that I'd be more than happy to see make their way up here. Chipotle is one---how I miss having good Mexican food. Chick-Fil-A is another.

Why they bring over something like TGI Fridays and McDonald's, but don't bring over a PF Chang's is beyond me.

TGI was a revelation when it first came to the UK!  There was no Hamburger Union, or any other 'upmarket' burger joint back then, and I remember the first time I went to a TGI and how thrilled I was to be asked how I wanted my burger!  They are a bit crappy now (especially as I don't eat meat anymore)...though love the alcoholic milkshakes.

Vicky

I can't speak for anyone else, but I think it's a very bad thing. I don't like chains, full stop, whether they're American or British, and whether they're in the US or the UK.
For the most part, they offer subpar food and, because they're so big, they can offer this rubbish at extremely low prices. Ultimately, that'll do nothing but drive out independent cafes and restaurants which actually serve good food.

The vast majority of the time independent restaurants can't compete with chains it is due to mismanagement, plain and simple.   It has little to do with food.  You have a team of MBA's against a cook who never graduated high school and it's not hard to guess who is going to have a more efficient business model.  A free market dictates that efficient businesses will drive out inefficient businesses, which leads to be better value for the consumer.  Anyone that has taken econ 101 understands that.

Yes, some people like places such as Subway, but that doesn't mean it's good.

Actually, that's exactly what it means.  It means some people do think it's good and prefer it.  Maybe not you or me, but enough people to make them highly successful.