Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurant in Ocean City

Update: I've been meaning to update this review, and it's no better. I received a call from Chipotle Corporate regarding my foodborne illness complaint. The person, based in Columbus Ohio, called and left me a message. I returned the call 10 minutes later, and had to leave her a voicemail in return. I've had no follow up, no return call, no anything since then. I even left details of the transaction, the receipt, etc., in my voicemail. Honestly, I'm shocked that they aren't taking this seriously as it's the most ill I have ever been from a meal.

I've taken ServSafe 3 times for prior careers, so I know the signs and what to look for. I should have taken my own advice and walked away when I saw the condition of the restaurant. From the other reviews, this is not the first and will not be the last time. This store needs an immediate visit from the health department and corporate auditors.

Prior Review: From the reviews, it looks like this location was having a bad day two days ago. I share in this misery. I visited this location about 2:30pm on Friday 2/16 with my spouse and our two friends. The restaurant was not busy at all and the first thing I noticed is that nothing was being cooked in the back - first red flag.

After ordering, I sat down to eat my chicken burrito bowl. During this time, we continued to notice that no food was being rotated in and only a handful of customers were visiting. In fact, at one point, absolutely no staff were visible and one customer had to wait for several minutes for somebody to appear.

My bowl tasted OK, I guess, but I did notice an off flavor with the guac, but I didn't think much of it. Later that evening, I got the dreaded "lead weight" feeling in my stomach, and within 6-7 hours of eating, I had to cut the party short with my friends. Minutes later, I experienced one of the most violent vomiting experiences of my life - in 4 or 5 graphic sessions, over several hours. Then after that, the dreaded experience of violently relieving myself all night from the other end ensued.

Having been a restaurant manager and area director, with 3 ServSafe classes under my belt, I really should have known better. I suspect that the ingredients on the line were either undercooked or temperatures were not being maintained. As I said, at no time during my visit did I observe employees doing temperature checks, rotating items in, or doing any sort of cooking in the back line.

The staff milling about and disappearing also suggests they weren't cleaning or replenishing, and I suspect not washing hands prior to serving customers when they finally came back to do their jobs. Again, I know the realities of how restaurants work and know this doesn't happen 80% of the time on a good day.

None of my friends got sick, so I guess I drew the unlucky straw on Friday. I've noticed the quality of Chipotle going steadily downhill over the last 5-8 years, and I stuck with them during the food safety scares in the past. But I really think I'm done now - the blatant lack of food safety protocol will wind up killing somebody, and it isn't going to be me.

In any event, it was a mini vacation ruined as we ended up leaving a full day early on Saturday, 2/17, as I was simply too weak and...

Horribly RUDE employees. NEARLY HOSTILE.

The portions here are decidedly less than ANY other chipotle I’ve ever been to and I go fairly often.

The employees look like they really don’t want to be there but we’re forced to because their dad made them or something…🤷🏻‍♂️

Also they can’t speak enough English to do the job. Just to be clear my family is a family of immigrants.

I don’t expect perfect English or even particularly good but enough to slop over the right order in a chipotle is a pretty minimal effort.

Me: This was literally my conversation: can I get some salt and pepper?

Male Employee: Pepper?

Me: salt and pepper.

Male Employee: pepper?

He was not sure I was saying pepper but he didn’t know salt.

Then the lady had walk over to the other side and to hold up the pepper to see if I meant pepper.

Then I said ‘yes and salt’. She looked like I asked her if she could please drink a cup of the toilet water after my order was done.

This was after asking for salt and pepper as I was paying and the lady telling me, it was over by the drinks, which is was not. Somehow she was able to tell me even this rudely.

As I was paying, a lady came up to the register to ask for a job application. My order was nearly complete but not entirely. so I had to keep interrupting their conversation to complete my order. The lady that worked their looked at me like I was being rude… 🤷🏻‍♂️

They were the opposite of friendly. I hope they find new employees and the ones here up their game in...

The problems start with the Manager name Hector which is why employees are dysfunctional. Like all other reviewers they only give half the portions. I asked for rice and they literally gave me a half a spoon. The peppers he gave about 4 chopped pieces of peppers. I thought he was playing so I said I need some peppers he gave me 3 more pieces. I just laughed. This occurred throughout the entire order. Finally I got to the cheese an the lady picked up maybe 10-15 strings. I said can you give me some more cheese. She gave me a few more. They had no lettuce so the bowl was half filled. Now, Here is the kicker, 2 bowls and 1 drink $27. I asked manager hector what is the extra charge that states sides. He said it for the extra cheese you asked for. I said, this is a first for me. Clearly I would not mine paying almost 3 dollar for extra cheese but what I received was not even a regular order. Less known charge for extra cheese. Again a first for someone who eats at chipotle at least 3 times a week. I asked Hector for his name because I was going to leave feedback. He said I don’t care, my name is Hector. WOW. Will not be returning to chipotle OC. Sad when businesses forget that the customer is the one who is responsible for their existence. I normally leave at least a $5 tip to employees but Hector has taught me a serious lesson. Will share experience with my company employees so they are aware.

After...