Eddie WannaBee on Zomato 11 years ago
01/25/2012, 05:06 AM
So many, so bad!. This is for the one located in Lake Forest (23645 El Toro Rd., Lake Forest CA 92636).
So many franchises. I counted over 50 in the US while trying to find the one that I went to today (above location). A very beautiful woman had highly recommended this place as a very good mexican joint. Not so, by a long shot. I do not mean to be mean but how in the world can they stay in business serving mediocre food? The answer is: clientele that supports them. There is nothing particular, worth remembering, above average in this this place but I must admit their soda machine was dispensing well carbonated drinks (according to the the two lovely ladies that I took that wanted to check it out - I chose water this day).
We ordered two burritos: chicken and carnitas which should be enough to be able to tell wether the place was any good. First of all a worker in the place told me this place is an american business with a mexican theme, and after wasting money I totally endorse this statement.
There is a line where you get to see the food being prepared in front of you. First thing they loaded with rice and then beans. When it got to the meat they put very little in comparison to the other toppings. Not that the chicken or the carnitas were something special. The chicken cut in tiny pieces, over dried by standing in the heat up zone and the carnets barely acceptable. A total deception. The only thing mexican here was the people attending at the place. The food below average yet they make money like crazy. I guess people still thinks that this is real mexican food and basically settles for what in other circles would be considered a total farce. The concept works, the place was somewhat clean and the music playing loud and contemporary.
I am so sick and tired of throwing money at these kind of places where after you try them you leave unimpressed and since no one pays me to do a good review I must say to anyone thinking about Chipotle Mexican Grill: do not even glance at this place. You get much better and cheaper burritos in many places in Santa Ana, California, where at least the food resembles actual renderings from south of our border. 2 Stars and not a shinning star more. I am not going to tell the lovely lady that suggested it because I will not risk telling her the place sucks big lemons because she is too fine and her heart is in the right place, but certainly not her palate. Chipotle! You Suck Big Lemons! (they put so much lemon and salt in their tortillas is not even funny).