'Grand Opening' for Chipotle Starts Restaurant on the Right Foot

Friday, December 15th was an exciting day in the town of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. For Friday was the "Grande Opening" of one of the most craved Mexican restaurants: Chipotle. Not that there aren't plenty of restaurants already in Glen Ellyn, but Chipotle is just always so wonderful to have. It is fast, not too expensive, and frankly pretty nicely decorated on the interior. So when I saw the banner hanging down across the front of its new building, I knew that I needed to take it upon myself to hit up Chipotle on this opening day.

The experience was absolutely wonderful. For those of you unaware of Chipotle, it is a pretty simple Mexican restaurant. You go up to the counter, pick one of four dishes, and customize it to your liking. Each dish is similar in terms of the ingredients within it, but differ in their basic appearance (e.g. burrito and taco). The Chipotle staff makes your dish right in front of you and with quickness that makes it only a drive-thru short of being considered fast food. But then again, the term "fast food" can only be rightfully applied to Chipotle's speed: the food itself is a step above your "typical fast food place." This is no Taco Bell.

The food at Chipotle is typically delicious, and the Glen Ellyn location is not an exception: Same type of ordering scheme along with the same fresh ingredients. Not to mention the interior is pretty similar to most as well. The post-modern industrial look still applies, with stainless steel covering the interior, and steel beams every now and then. It is nice inside, and has no reason to make you think twice about eating inside.

For directions, take Roosevelt towards Chicago (east) and it will be on your right hand side before you get to Route 53. Can't miss it. Chipotle itself is part of a new strip mall that is currently under construction across from U.S. Bank. Because of the construction at this time, and Chipotle being the only place open in the development, it stands out pretty well.