Wherever they open a new store, the folks
behind Chipotle Mexican Grill do something special.
Last year, when they opened on St. Marks Place in the East Village,
Chipotle gave away free burritos. On July 29, in honor of the
opening of their first Brooklyn store – on Montague Street in
Brooklyn Heights – the fresh-ingredient, fast-food Mexican eatery
will throw a fundraiser to benefit the Brooklyn Arts Council.
The event will take place from 6 pm to 9 pm. A donation of $5
at the door buys you a large burrito (and they are large!) and
a drink. All the proceeds collected go to support the Brooklyn
Arts Council’s performing and visual arts programs, which serve
100,000 students.
Chipotle, named for the dried and smoked jalapeno pepper, will
open for regular business in Brooklyn Heights on Friday, July
30. Pictured at left is New York area manager Randy Sullivan.
If you’re rolling your eyes at the thought of another corporate
chain outlet on Montague Street, there are a few things you should
know. Chipotle (pronounced chi-POAT’-lay) uses the same ingredients
better restaurants demand – Niman Ranch all-natural pork, Bell
& Evans chickens, Meyer Ranch all-natural beef and Haas avocados
in its 350-plus locations. Ten percent of their beans are organic
(they hope to add more organic beans soon, according to Chipotle
spokeswoman Katherine Newell Smith).
McDonald’s now owns 90-percent of the 11-year-old, Denver-based
chain, but Chipotle, which has earned kudos from food critics
across the country for its four kinds of salsa, and for the vegetarian
and free-range meat fillings that pack the massive, 20-ounce
burritos, bears little resemblance to the hamburger chain. Every
burrito and taco is made to order and adheres to founder Steve
Ells’ philosophy: Use simple ingredients to make complex tasting
food in a setting that adds to the dining experience. While all
Chhipotle restaurants use similar materials for a sparse, clean,
urban look, no two are alike. Chipotle uses existing space rather
than building from the ground up to achieve a neighborhood feel
for each restaurant.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (185 Montague St. between Court and Clinton
streets in Brooklyn Heights) accepts Visa, MasterCard and American
Express. Entrees: $5.95-$6.75. The restaurant will be open daily
from 11 am to 10 pm. For further information, call (718) 243-9109.
