Chipotle’s concept is simple—It’s fast.  It’s cheap. It’s all-natural. It’s awesome. That very simplicity is partly responsible for the explosion of the Chipotle Mexican Grill franchise over the past five years creating unmatched cravings and unbreakable addictions for burrito-fans all over the United States.

Steve Ells, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, is like the Steve Jobs of Chipotle—the great innovator and mastermind responsible for the company’s success. In 1993, he opened his first Chipotle location in Denver, Colorado at the former home of Dolly Madison Ice Cream Parlor. Transgressing from this humble beginning, the Mexican Grill currently employs nearly 27,000 people, and has a net worth of upwards of $180 million.  In 2006, it earned its place on the New York stock exchange.  And finally, it locked in a position on the fortune-500 list of 2011, right alongside Wal-Mart and Apple. In other words, Chipotle has completely taken off.

The menus of the always-crowded Chipotles consist of the following five options: Burritos, burrito bowls, salad, quesadillas, and tacos.  It may seem strange that a menu of only five choices can create such immense success.  However, it’s what goes into your burrito or your salad that makes it so great.  All meat, (chicken, steak, carnitas, etc.…) is raised 100 percent naturally.  Every additional ingredient, including rice, beans, corn, and vegetables are completely organic.  Vegetables are grown locally as frequently as possible.  Chipotle prides itself on serving to its customers “food with integrity.”

Of course it’s great that the food will have integrity, but how many calories are in one of those massive burritos?  According to the website’s nutritional information, a standard burrito stuffed with cilantro rice, black beans, chicken, salsa, lettuce, and cheese will contain roughly 860 calories, which isn’t completely horrible with size taken into consideration.  However, if you go with the burrito bowl option, which is essentially the same thing without the tortilla, you can eliminate about 300 calories creating a much healthier 560-calorie meal that is equally delicious. Regardless, a countless number of people, North Penn students being no exception, swear by the Chipotle burrito.   

“The organic ingredients make for a delicious mix of flavors.  The burrito is worth a food baby and tons of calories, without a doubt,” said chipotle lover Alexa Gable, a junior.

It’s no surprise that Chipotle is so popular with the youthful population.  The new Chipotle iPhone/iPad app makes it simple to order from your phone and pick it up at any time. Also, the interior of the restaurant has a very modern style, with alt-nation or indie music playing at all times. As well as its delicious food and fresh interior, its simplicity, quickness, and inexpensiveness (giant burritos for just $7) directly cater to the needs and wants of a high school student. Accordingly, North Penn sports teams like field hockey and football have enjoyed donations of free boxes of Chipotle burritos from the generous managers of the Montgomeryville Chipotle.

Moral of the story, if you haven’t already been hooked, it is definitely worth it to try a burrito!