Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Denver

This is the VERY FIRST Chipotle, the famous quick-casual restaurant, the one founded by the famous Steven Ells. It's tiny, with a sign that reads "Occupation: 17 customers." The building was previously a Dolly Madison Ice Cream Shop, where I bought cones for my little son in the early 1990’s. That Dolly Madison shop is immortalized in three black-and-white photos on the wall here. They’re fashioned in the style of Chipotle’s typical self-referencing b/w photos; I wonder how many customers actually note the difference.

Chipotle has some detractors. All the great ones do! The Beatles had detractors. Charlie Chaplin had detractors. But Chipotle is the best of its kind, nonetheless. It’s the Elvis of fast-casual eateries. It's the "king of the hill, the top of the list, the head of the heap..." Yep, it's the king.

My favorite is their hot red salsa. According to the company's website, the ingredients are tomatillo, chile de arbol, salt, cumin, garlic, black pepper, and a splash of Tabasco. But the great mystery is this: how are these simple ingredients combined into a delicious tangy mixture?

I do have a complaint. The chips are sometimes stale by afternoon. Another complaint: they don’t offer breakfast burritos! Maybe someday... and if they do, they should start here, where...

The Giant (Amerika! Sized) Burrito was Born

The first Chipotle EVER. If you're bored in Denver or high from all the legalized weed you've been smoking, eating, inhaling or whatever method you choose to take it in and have nothing else to do, hit up the first Chipotle ever to open. The single restaurant that changed the game for gourmet yet affordable "fast food". The game changer. How many times have you said, "Oh, it's like Chipotle but for pizza" or "It's like Chipotle for poke" or "It's like Chipotle for sandwiches"? So regardless if you like Chipotle or not (but if you don't like it, we can't be friends), this has change your life in one way or another.

The Godfather Location

"Say 'Hello' to my little friend." Definitely the smallest location you'll ever encounter. Tiny corner location with just a cashier and two strings of counters along the windows, small but hey it's Denver, go outside and enjoy the weather. I'm just surprised they haven't played up this location more, I could see it being a tourist spot like the first McDonalds in California or the first Starbucks in Seattle. Good thing it's next to Denver University, get "mile high" with the students then go grab some burritos!

Chipotle Cashier: "How high are you...?" Pothead: "No...it's "Hi,...

This review is for corporate Chipotle, not the location. This was the first store and represented great food, with an honest and authentic approach. Today your brand is anything but. You partner with delivery apps that do not hold up their end of the process, without recourse for the customer. You charge different prices based on delivery vs. pick up because no one wants to go to your restaurants in person because they are a mess. Your product varies from location to location. Your sources of your suppliers are less transparent than ever. Qudoba or even Tacobell is a good enough comparison of food for the price. Congratulations for racing to the bottom. You’ve done it! Moving forward, I’m going to go to authentic Mexican restaurants that are locally owned, in-person or on Uber eats(Not Grubhub) and I will be paying less and will be enjoying better food. I suggest everyone else does as well. Little Anita’s is a great alternative in this area. Or just walk across the street to Pete’s and put some potatoes in you burrito. There are so many better options these days, it’s not worth wasting time with a once great Colorado company that lost its soul. Which by writing this review, I just wasted more time. Dang it Chipotle,...