Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Clearwater

Chipotle is a brand and a name that upon hearing you just know what you're in for. You know what the food will be like and the atmosphere to be expected based on what time you're stopping in. You also likely know which employees behind the counter have a heavier hand for the assembly-line style Mexican cafeteria.

Point being, all Chipotle restaurants I've even eaten in or visited for takeout have been exactly the same. No better or worse really. It seems there's a standard level of service and quality that this brand has no problem executing with ease across hundreds of nationwide locations.

Other restaurants are hit and miss when it comes to the end product being served and the energy of the place itself. Somehow, Chipotle manages to hire their friendly and attentive staff with exceptional filters in the hiring process. I say this because I've never been in a store when an employee was openly rude, constructing subpar customizable fast food favorites or even seemed unhappy to be there. I think they put something in the water because it's almost kind of creepy how similar staff morale hovers from one quick order location to the next.

And quality, taste, appearance, etc of the food from the individual items ready to dish down the line to the end of the line cash register exit you desperately want to break through so to tear open your giant burrito and scarf down a big first bite. It's always the same.

Like the pleasant staff, the food has never had a bad day on my dining experience with Chipotle. I fully understand and am not oblivious to the mass production of standardized high volume food prep, delivery and design for reheat n serve simplicity but a lot of chain restaurants (fast food in particular) have a unusually large margin of error from one location to the next and even one day to another at your usual spot.

Chipotle seems to stand the test of time and mass production efforts in their process (whatever that may be) because time and again, I know what to expect when I order and I've yet to be let down.

That alone says something really significant about the restaurant. If you're in the mood for some quick Mexican-American favorites, I definitely recommend visiting. If it's your first time having a go at the interesting offerings I'd recommend looking the menu over before visiting in person. This is a place to get in line and keep walking as you relay your fixings to the employee preparing your meal. It's usually fast - paced, often busy and if you're in prime time for dining you might get some looks and groans from impatient customers if you're holding up the line to inspect every line of the simple to score staples. (Crash Course - it's basically all the same stuff you have available to order. It's really brilliant on their part because the only real differences arise in the ingredients you choose to add or subtract from the line. It makes ordering and prep fast, efficient and easy to remember...

This is the WORST chipotle I’ve ve been to. Me and my coworkers have tried to give this place many chances but this is my last chance going to this location. I have gone to many locations and even worked at one so I know how employees should treat there customers. I also get that mistakes can happen but when there is two to three people in line I expect you to get everything right. I ordered at 7:30 in person asking for a bowl with half al pastor and half steak specifically because I’m trying to save money these days and don’t have much already. When I got wrung up the person on line didn’t write on the bowl of what I ordered which the should’ve done CAP/S since the line person did this the cashier wrung it up at double meat making my whole order which should’ve been $17 was $21 and got charged double meat. When I checked my receipt it was already too late to go back because I was on break for work and I couldn’t go after work because both mine and chipotle would’ve closed. I don’t normally write reviews but since I worked at Chipotle for 8 months I know the ropes and the cashier should’ve asked the person in line what they made or double checked with the customer. Not only is this my only problem but the lobby was not fully stocked when it should’ve been. I don’t know if peak was stopping them but even then my manager back then would always make sure our lobby was still stocked. No bowl and drink should cost $21 if I only got regular meat and guac. This is not the only problem too, they often don’t add specific ingredients when ordered online and have forgotten many items in the past when my coworkers have ordered here. DONT go to this location it’s the worst. I recommend the one on US 19 across from Chick Fil A. They are always stocked...

Went in to get two bowls togo. Ordered a side of small tortillas which were sitting on the line for in place orders not online orders. I was told I couldn't get any because they were low on inventory and had them for the app orders only. I told them I still want them and know they cost extra. Keep in mind they were closing in 30 mins so not sure how many more orders the were expecting. The worker (black hair white girl with a nose ring somewhat goth) had a terrible attitude and basically wouldn't talk back. I let her know I wanted them regardless cause that is my normal order and in person people shouldn't be less important than online as priority. Then another rep said I couldn't have them either but offered to let me speak with a manager. Then the manager (shorter younger possibly Spanish) said the same thing. So I finished my order, paid, then guess what happened next. I ordered the side of tortillas for 50 cents on the app and then asked for them. The customer behind me asked them, what was the point of making him do that. Beyond inconvenient and literally illogical for a restaurant to operate that way. The funniest thing was after they told me no, the second worker (glasses on making to go orders) literally grabbed a few loose ones that I guess he thought were sitting too long and threw them in the trash. What a joke. Gulf to bay location sucks compared to most. I've wrote them off before, but couldn't leave another review because I already have one from years ago when they sucked. I started driving an extra ten minutes to go to the one on north 19 in palm harbor. I will be going back to that. I have no idea why they couldn't put two and two together and just make a customer happy....