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Chipotle founder opening southeast asian style chain(official opening tommorow)

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franknbeans said:
I tried a burrito from El Farolito when I was in San Francisco a couple of months ago, and while it was really good, Chipotle's burritos aren't far behind as far as taste goes. I'd consider Chipotle an acceptable substitution for mission style burritos. And their lime tortilla chips are the bomb

!!! there's no comparison between the quality of chipotle and el farolito.

you're like those people who say all beers taste the same (did i open another can of worms?)
 
Squash said:
Iguana's in San Jose.

Iguana's is in the same league as Chipotle. So is La Vic's.
Hell, the tacos and burritos stands that sublet inside the liquor stores in SJ are leagues above any of those.

but back on topic, I feel sorry for anyone paying $7 for banh mi. And Lee's Sandwiches suck, pretty much the McDonald's of Vietnamese food.
 
akira28 said:
Just because some people are willing to stand in long lines and pay extra for crap, doesn't mean most of us are. Unless it's Coldstone in the middle of July or something.


his point was it's very hard to get a cheap lunch in DC that isn't a fast food chain.
 
Aquavelvaman said:
I think Vietnamese food is only underrated by people who haven't had it :)

I've had it and honestly didn't like it at all... gave it 3 chances and it didn't do it for me. Nor my ex girlfriend or best friend who have also tried it (both were disgusted). Though I do know plenty of people who love it.
 
Aquavelvaman said:
I think Vietnamese food is only underrated by people who haven't had it :)

Vietnamese food is very VERY low on my totem pole of Asian-area food. :/

Too peanutty and plain for me.
 
muttyeah416 said:
!!! there's no comparison between the quality of chipotle and el farolito.

you're like those people who say all beers taste the same (did i open another can of worms?)

El Farolito was definitely better, its just that Chipotle is closer to an authentic mission style burrito, than a Burger King whopper is to a burger from a nice steakhouse.

Back to this new restaurant, I'd be happy if they continue to expand, but I hope they offer pickled daikon radish and cilantro leaves instead of peanuts and mint leaves.
 
Doesn't look too bad.

But it seems like there is a greater need on the East Coast for these chains.

West Coast has an endless array of Asian restaurants... and Mexican for that matter. Chain or otherwise.

As far as Vietnamese food is concerned.. I like it.. but man.. there are like 3 Vietnamese restaurants on every block here in N. Seattle.. all labeled "Pho" restaurants.. which always confused me.. "Boiled water with meat and some veggies thrown in" shouldn't be what your restaurant is named after.. lol
 
viakado said:
I ain't even mad. I once tried menudo in frisk o off mission st. They put lettuce in menudo!
Lettuce!

SF Burritos > SoCal burritos

All other Mexican food is better in SoCal, its hard to find good dinner plates or tacos (especially seafood) here. Which makes little sense, as we have awesome seafood.
 
Dang, the Chipotle hate is strong in here. I think it's actually really good, in fact, I'm having some tonight. Yeah, not as authentic as taco trucks, but there is one a block from my house. I have to drive another 10-15 minutes for a taco truck, and my wife doesn't really like real tacos. Chipotle is Americanized Mexican food, but it's pretty good. And the ingredients are usually really fresh and tasty.

Can't wait to try this. While it's overpriced, I have to drive much further to get something for $2-3. With the price of gas, not worth it at all.

I'm as much of a food snob as anyone else, but I can't hate on Chipotle too much. It's still awesome food. If you want to try a good place that is the style of Chipotle, and you're ever in Columbus, OH try http://www.mypiada.comIt's basically an Italian Chipotle, but a lot more options. They're blowing up here, I'm sure they'll be expanding out of the state soon.
 
I personally don't care if food is "authentic" or not.. it's not how I judge food.. I judge on taste.

I've had great authentic food.. and great "Americanized" versions of just about any food you can pick.

Chipotle is pretty good.. but for me around here it's overshadowed by Qdoba.. if I want chain semi-authentic Mexican with that "Lime and Cilantro" rice flavor I go to Qdoba.

Although "Mucho Burrito"'s also started opening up around here.. similar flavors.. and they are really damn tasty.

Baja Fresh is another chain I prefer to Chipotle.

Other than that.. endless small Mexican places that are the real deal.. Taco Trucks all over the place, etc. And we are ~2,000 miles from Mexico here.
 
andycapps said:
It's still awesome food. If you want to try a good place that is the style of Chipotle, and you're ever in Columbus, OH try http://www.mypiada.comIt's basically an Italian Chipotle, but a lot more options. They're blowing up here, I'm sure they'll be expanding out of the state soon.
I was there when I visited my buddy. Good stuff.
 
So many food elitists in here.

Who cares if it's not authentic, as long as it tastes good. You know you're pretentious when you put the authenticity of a food above the taste.

Chipotle is pretty dang good.
 
What the hell are Burritos?

Are you guys sure you're not talking about "Wraps"?




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TheSeks said:
Vietnamese food is very VERY low on my totem pole of Asian-area food. :/

Too peanutty and plain for me.
I dunno, when I think of 'peanutty' Thai comes to mind, not Vietnamese food.

A bowl of pho or a nice sandwich... /drool.
 
DanteFox said:
So many food elitists in here.

Who cares if it's not authentic

The funniest thing being that a lot of "authentic" food is only authentic because they use really cheap ingredients.. we are talking about food from 2nd and 3rd world countries.

The Americanized versions often just have more ingredients that aren't widely available in other countries, and/or would be too expensive for daily consumption.

Like this guy:

bean breath said:
What the hell are Burritos?

Yeah.. too bad they can't afford flavor in Mexico.
 
DanteFox said:
Berkeley, and a little bit of Antioch, lol.

Antioch tap water is shit. The New Mecca Cafe in neighboring Pittsburg is a god status taqueria though. La Costa up the way in Brentwood is also insanely good. My personal favorite is Los Panchos here in Pacheco. Those are but a handful of excellent taquerias just in the East Bay, let alone the rest of the Bay Area.
 
DanteFox said:
So many food elitists in here.

Who cares if it's not authentic, as long as it tastes good. You know you're pretentious when you put the authenticity of a food above the taste.

Chipotle is pretty dang good.

Can't be helped. Taste centers are too wrapped up in our perception of value, so it's hard to differentiate.

Anyway, tried the new place. I thought it was pretty damn good. Made a major mistake in getting the red sauce and only a beer.. rationed that motherfucker.
 
nVidiot_Whore said:
The funniest thing being that a lot of "authentic" food is only authentic because they use really cheap ingredients.. we are talking about food from 2nd and 3rd world countries.

The Americanized versions often just have more ingredients that aren't widely available in other countries, and/or would be too expensive for daily consumption.

Like this guy:



Yeah.. too bad they can't afford flavor in Mexico.

This. beaks and chicken feet with eyeballs is not gonna cut it in the states. no matter how delicious it can be. I will go out on a limb and say Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese bastard American style actually can and does sometimes taste better with the level of hygiene and produce available in the states, for most western pallets.

Have to start somewhere...but the inroads for real ethnic food are made in baby steps. I remember when "raw fish" was weird
 
third vs. first world quality ingredients does not excuse chipotle for using that terrible lime rice, or those awful tortillas.

But meat and avocados and salsas are good.
 
I like Chipotle quite a bit, although it is expensive. This new place is pretty interesting.

I've never had a banh mi, looks like my kind of treat. There is only one vietnamese place in our area, but I've only ever ordered the pho. I should look over the menu next time to see If I can snag one of these thingamajigs.
 
nVidiot_Whore said:
Yeah.. too bad they can't afford flavor in Mexico.

Actually ingredients are cheaper in Mexico so that shit Americans know as carne asada here is made with shit cuts of beef but in Mexico they use better cuts that would be a hell lot more expensive here.
 
DataStream said:
SF Burritos > SoCal burritos

All other Mexican food is better in SoCal, its hard to find good dinner plates or tacos (especially seafood) here. Which makes little sense, as we have awesome seafood.

ill agree about the seafood. sacramento turned my ass out with its sushi options..
 
LOL @ people who say, " Chipotle is gross,it is not authentic Mexican food."


Newsflash: I do not go to chipotle for authentic Mexican food, nor claim that any fast food restaurant is anywhere near authentic. I eat chipotle because it's good, filling, and is fast. Just because something is not "authentic" doesn't mean it's bad. Unless of course chipotle had huge signs outside saying "100% authentic Mexican food!"
 
I live in southern California, have eaten tons of authentic Mexican food, but I still love Chipotle.

No, it's not close to the flavor and style of true Mexican food, but at the very least you know all of the ingredients going into your food, it has no weird additives and preservatives, the meat is actually REAL and sourced from quality farms, and you can pile on all of the items (except for the meat and guacamole) as much as you like with no extra charge. It's really a great option when I don't have time to prepare something at home.

I'm curious to try this new chain. 100% authentic southeast asian preparation is not my expectation, but the relatively high quality of ingredients might make this a good fast food option if it comes to California.
 
Dresden said:
I dunno, when I think of 'peanutty' Thai comes to mind, not Vietnamese food.

A bowl of pho or a nice sandwich... /drool.

YES.

Some Vietnamese dishes have peanuts as a topping but its usually just for texture contrast. Vietnamese cuisine is all about melding sweet, savory, sour and bitter flavors together, also many of the soups in Vietnamese cuisine are a little more milder on the palate. A typical Vietnamese dinner/lunch will include a bowl of rice, different vegetable dishes and steamed fish. The soup is used to balance everything together.
 
Zyzyxxz said:
Actually ingredients are cheaper in Mexico so that shit Americans know as carne asada here is made with shit cuts of beef but in Mexico they use better cuts that would be a hell lot more expensive here.

The post I was responding to was about the use of the term "burrito." I believe in Mexico a "burrito" is typically nothing but beans and meat. Here in the states we add cheese, rice, avacado, sour cream, etc. As if somehow adding these flavors is worse than simply throwing meat and beans in a tortilla.

But I can find Carne Asada here with a variety of different cuts of beef.. I'm sure that's not too different from Mexico.
 
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