Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurant in St. Cloud

TL;DR: This chipotle location is pretty solidly O.K. all around, but my experience is very inconsistent.

Service: the speed of service is a toss up and will either be quick and efficient or slow for no discernable reason (even though there are a TON of staff running around). I stopped ordering ahead awhile back because it took just as long to wait in a long line for a freshly assembled order as it did waiting for someone to show up at the take out window (though I haven't tried since pre-covid so it may be better now). Staff is generally friendly so they have that going for them at least.

Food: I've been to a lot of different Chipotle locations in my life and of all of them, I'd say this one is the least consistent with the flavor of their meats. Some days it'll have a lot of flavor and others it'll be super bland.

Cleanliness: this location, more than others, really needs to step up their game when it comes to cleaning tables, countertops, and floors. They seem to only clean when it is most convenient for them; if they are busy, chances are good you'll be cleaning the open table you find because no one on staff is going to clean table until after the lunch rush, and even then it can be a mess.

Closing thoughts. To put all of this into perspective, from 2007-2014 when I lived in the Mpls/St Paul area, I would get Chipotle almost every single Friday; it just kind of became a tradition of mine. When I moved to St. Cloud this location single-handedly stopped that tradition because of how inconsistent they are. Sure there is another location, but I only have an hour for lunch and it is too far away. The food is good enough when I need a Chipotle fix, but the timeliness of the service is just to unpredictable to try and fit it in over my lunch break. That all said, I am a solid 25lbs lighter now...

Very poor food quality & cleanliness standards.

I LOVE Chipotle; I've been to this particular location 3-4 times and every time, it's been filthy. I've never once seen an employee cleaning the dining area. There is literally cheese and other goop smeared into the floor and tables everywhere, the photos I took don't even do justice to how gross it regularly is inside.

The food quality is more hit or miss - today it was pretty bad. The fajita veggies were overcooked, cold and soggy; the white rice was cold AND undercooked; the salsas all had sour cream spilled into it; the lettuce was wilted and brown and the guacamole was full of cheese and gray / brown. Also, the jalapeno Tabasco was old and had gone bad.

The employee who was wrapping the buritos smashed the one in front of mine into 2 tortillas and there was sour cream and whatever else spewing out all over the counter top. When she finished with it, she just swabbed the spillage onto the floor with her hand and then moved on to mine. I dang near walked out of the store right then, but I had a bowl so I figured I'd probably be safe. They seriously need an inspection because I'm sure they're in violation of multiple food safety codes. Hate to dig on Chipotle because I love their brand, but this location gives the brand a bad name.

VERY underwhelming location. I'd give it just one star, but I love Chipotle, so I won't. Though I won't be back to this location...

2023

The food was good, rice a little underdone but that's not the end of the world. The place is absolutely disgusting. From the neglected dirty tables to the food prep area. I understand being short staffed but cleanliness shouldn't be compromised. There was a dishwasher/cook with a swastika tattooed onto his hand with a long stragly beard and he was continuously touching his beard while working in the kitchen. The assumed manager/lead was too busy focusing on her negative attitude to say anything. I suggest getting a different job if you don't want to deal with people and/or food. This is clearly a management issue. Lots of places hiring in Saint Cloud. On a positive note the young man working the register was pleasant and didn't have a bad attitude.

7.14.25 The food that was available was pretty good. Stopped in at 5:15. The employees working the line informed me they were out of steak, corn, guacamole and cheese. Whoever is managing this place should seriously consider a career path change. I hope it was due to a truck breaking down or something uncontrollable. Also went to fill my fountain drink with rootbeer and it was out. Unsure if the bag just needed to be flipped or they were all out of that as well. Chipotle with no guac and cheese...