Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Athens

I rarely write reviews but the food I received from this Chipotle location was so disgusting I feel a need to warn the public at large.

First of all, I arranged the pick up for 5pm on a Thursday. I was a little concerned that the place would be packed because of the timing of the order, but there was not a soul at this location except for the three people staffing the restaurant. I should have known what I was in for when a tumbleweed was blowing through the restaurant at dinner time.

There were three burrito bowls in my order. The look of all three had an appearance of food which sat on a line all day, covered in semi-wilted romaine lettuce, watery sour cream, cheese and corn so pale it had to be a scientific experiment to grow crops without the sun or light of any kind. The tiny portion of meat included in all three meals was damn near jerky-level dry and the vegetables were wilted and nasty. One of the three bowls was supposed to have chicken but had dried bits of 'barbacoa' mixed in (likely from using the same utensil to serve). As many other people have mentioned here, this location has trouble with undercooking rice, but that issue is a misdemeanor among a long list of felonies.

I think I ate about two forkfuls of bowl before I stopped in fear for my life. I have had Chipotle 20+ times in many different cities in this country, the 'barbacoa' I had at this Athens location was TRULY funky...it had a tang can only be the result attempting to age it like a fine wine.

Our meal ended before it started, and I finally resolved to eat chips for dinner...but of course those were STALE too. This Athens Chipotle really did think of everything they could to make this experience the worst possible version of ordering takeout.

Old poorly prepared food is one thing, but the REAL issue was the SALT. A small portion of guacamole was so over-salted I can only assume one sadistic employee must have made it to systematically weed out anyone with a minor heart disorder. I mean everything was really, really salty but the taste of a small spoonful of that guacamole can only be comparable with ocean water from the Gulf of Mexico.

My final conclusion is that the staff has sabotaged the food here so they only have to cook once every couple of days. I'm going to spare you the gory details of the after-effects of eating two forkfuls of my 'burrito bowl,' but I will say that bathroom will be submitting for overtime pay for the past 14 hours.

DO...

Got there and on Wednesday night at 8:30 (an hour and a half before closing) and stood in the line in the lobby, alone, for close to 10 minutes. There was not a single worker anywhere in sight. I called out loudly several times “hello” to try and get someone’s attention but no one came. So I went and stood at the end of the line where you pay at, and finally a girl came around the corner from the back and said “excuse me, can I help you?! Did you have an order?!” To which I replied, “no I’ve just been waiting here calling out for someone several minutes, I didn’t know if anyone was here.” She said, “well yeah of course we’re here.” She didn’t offer an apology or anything. When I went to where you begin to order she didn’t ask what I wanted or anything, just stared at me. I said “I’d like to do a bowl please.” She asked, very rudely in tone, each ingredient that I wanted and slopped it down like a prison mess hall from a movie. Then I asked her what the difference in price was to get it with chips or with chips and a drink. She turned and looked at the menu, then just stared at me. Eventually I said “just let me get chips I guess.” She told me the total. I paid. She didn’t offer a receipt, she just started walking back towards the back area where the lobby would once again be empty, when I stopped her and said “may I please have my receipt.” She handed it to me with no comment and went back to the back as another customer walked in. I looked around the restaurant til I finally found the forks and napkins around a corner. When I was getting ready to leave, the other customer was still standing at the front of the line, alone, unattended. I’ve been to chipotles all over the country, as it as my favorite “semi” fast food place to eat, and this was the rudest, most unprofessional experience I’ve encountered. The worker or workers (not sure if other people were working or not. It sounded like people were talking in the back area.) had no regard for helping the me or the other customer that followed. I hope the quality of employees, or training, is fixed soon or I will not be coming back or recommending...

I have to say that the food was good. BUT..... Took me 30 minutes of trying to order online. Then another 10 minutes trying on the number listed before finally just driving to the store and going inside. Yesss! You cant order through drive thru and they can not take your order on the phone. When i called the number in the middle of taking my order( by automated system). It directed me to the store. Im guessing the manager since it was a male. He was alot more helpful then the girl who answered the phone who was rude and laughing. Mind you when i got to the store a hour later. The very first employee i came in contact with seemed as if she had a additude. As if she didn't want to be there. Ran out of steak. Didnt get to order everything i wanted. I have to say the cashier Cassandra was the one that went and starting cooking steak, fajita mix,white rice. She was very nice and professional. Only person i remember name because she wasnt rude. The food was very good but deffinently not a great experience for me. Not sure if i will go back. Seems like to...