Better burrito chain restaurant: Moe's or Chipotle?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

And yes, I know many of you might prefer a local joint or regional chain over both of them, but since chances are you don't live near me, I probably won't be going to those places anytime soon. So for the purposes of discussion, I'm focusing on these two places, since they're what I know.

The reason I ask is that I have both a Moe's and Chipotle close to my office. Usually I go to Moe's (which is within walking distance), but occasionally I'll go to Chipotle.

I hadn't been to Chipotle recently, so I went this afternoon. It was decent, but when all was said and done, I wish I would have gone to Moe's instead. The size of the burrito and quality of the meat, rice and beans were about the same between the two. However, Moe's just gives you so many more options in terms of toppings. I asked at Chipotle whether they had any Chipotle ranch sauce, and despite their name, the person behind the counter gave me a quizzical look and told me no.

Moe's automatically gives you chips with your burrito. Chipotle makes you buy them.

Plus Moe's gives you a self-serve salsa bar. All Chipotle gives you is a couple of bottles of jalapeno hot sauce like you'd find in the store.

And the best thing about Moe's: the Tomatillo salsa. Seriously, I could go there just for that.

But, you know, different strokes for different folks. Anyone else have any opinions on the matter?

[elleng]

1. Thanks.for.the.info.

I.don't.get.burritos,and.live.in.2.places,one.near.Moe's,one.near.Chipotle,so.I'm.happy.

I.like.Moe's.guacamole.a.lot.and.like.Chipotle.salad.w.chix.

[Chan790]

2. I'm strongly in the Chipotle camp.

I just think the quality of the offerings is better.

I'm not a fan of Moe's...I've derisively called them the PJ's of burritos; they're tasty for what they are but it's not Mexican, it's a mediocre American take on Mexican. I'd choose Qdoba even over Moe's...and the Q is definitely the lesser knockoff of Chipotle...except Qdoba serves breakfast and it's amazing. Best fast-food breakfast going.

To recap.

1.) Chipotle
2.) Qdoba
...
3.) Moe's
...
4.) Taco Bell

Use of ellipsis denotes an change in quality tier.

[Xyzse]

3. I've never been to Moe's so I have no idea what it is.

[steve2470]

29. I had never heard of Qdoba before this thread, so the thread rocks ! :) nt

[KamaAina]

4. Moe's?

He's serving burritos now?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Apparently they're very new to the West Coast.

For some reason I thought they had already expanded well into it.

[TuxedoKat]

6. I like Moe's better too

as they warm up your burrito and you have the option of whole wheat tortilla for your burrito too. Chipotle doesn't bother to heat up your burrito or other whole wheat.

[gvstn]

7. Chipotle's my life!

Just kidding, I don't have a Chipotle around here but have been curious about Moe's. Glad to see there is a debate on the subject of who is better and that Moe's isn't automatically second-rate since I don't have a choice. Not my favorite type of food but I have been meaning to give it a try.

[RebelOne]

8. There is a Moe's close to my house.

I haven't been there yet, but I think I will try it soon because I see by their on-line menu there are a few vegetarian items.

[politicat]

9. No moes here. Toss up between chipotle and qdoba.

Chipotle will be walking distance from home in about 3 weeks. Qdoba is walking distance from office.

I like chipotle's Barbacoa better, but Qdoba's chips and queso better. (Though I don't eat tortillas or rice or corn or beans anymore, so the queso is not on my radar anymore unless I make zucchini chips.)

My favorite is a one shop right now, but I expect it to go national soonish. Tocabe, in Denver. It's Native American, on the Chipotle model. Amazing fry bread, they serve wojapi and bison and the best squash-based salsa on the planet. I break my no wheat rule once a month. Most of the time, I break it for Tocabe.

[OriginalGeek]

11. Tocabe sounds amazing

Please push them southeast!

[politicat]

13. Working on it.

They're doing great financially, but expansion is going to take either a kick starter or venture capital. They're being smart about it. Supply chain is the holdup right now -- ensuring consistent quality.

[OriginalGeek]

14. I can promise them 2 customers in Orlando

not sure if that's enough. lol I work with a NA guy who is ALWAYS talking about how good fry bread is. We'd go there a lot.

And yes, I will (somewhat) patiently wait for consistent quality. May they have great success and continue to be smart.

[distantearlywarning]

31. Make that 4 customers in Orlando

My husband and I are originally from the Southwest and we both have great memories of growing up, going to the fair or the pow wow and getting Navajo Fry Bread tacos with beans and cheese, or with honey. We've tried to make it ourselves, but we don't have the magic touch. We would TOTALLY patronize a fry bread place here in Orlando. Orlando is a city full of transplants from other places; I bet there are a lot of other people from that area of the world other than us here.

[OriginalGeek]

34. DU Dinner!

as soon as they get one built here.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

22. I had a Najavo Taco when I visited the Grand Canyon.

It was delicious.

[OriginalGeek]

10. Even if it's all bullshit

I like the IDEA of Chipotle - organic - free-range beefs - locally sourced fresh veggies whenever possible etc...

BUT every Moe's burrito I've ever had was better than every Chipotle one I've had so I quit going to Chipotle.

But I'd really rather just go to Tijuana Flats. I bet you do have one close to you - but maybe not walking distance - I know they have expanded south. (Assuming you are still in FL).

[Tommy_Carcetti]

21. Tijuana Flats is pretty good as well.

We've got multiple TF around us.

They don't have the massive San Francisco style burritos like Moe's or Chipotle, but they do have the best collection of hot sauce that you'd find at any fast food burrito/taco chain. Tijuana Flats is worth a visit just to sample all their sauces. It definitely caters towards the fans of spicier foods however (I'm one of those), so be forewarned.

[OriginalGeek]

24. We go eery tuesday for taco tuesday

And sometimes on burrito thursday. (Yeah not anywhere near as big as Moe or Chipotle but 7 bucks for burrito, chips and a drink ain't bad)

My friend has bought so many of their hot sauces that the manager will often just give him a bottle whenever they get a new one in.

Plus they always know our names and treat us like we're special (they treat most everyone like that but I like to think we are special lol).

[Tommy_Carcetti]

25. My only very minor quibble with Tijuana Flats....

The cups that they give for the sauce are so tiny. I have to get 4 or 5 of them just enough for my burrito, let alone the chips. Why can't they have larger sized cups so I can properly dunk a tortilla chip?

But other than that, they are mighty tasty.

[bigwillq]

12. Never had Moe's. I think Chipotle is pretty good (nt)

[sakabatou]

15. Never seen a Moe's here

So Chipotle it is

[rurallib]

16. We have a Chipotle and I really like it. We don't have a Moe's

but from your description I hope we get one soon.
Is Moe's a nationwide chain?

[gvstn]

18. I only checked because I was curious.

I thought maybe Moe's was east coast and Chipotle was west coast but Wiki says Moe's is in 35 states and Chipotles is in 43 states. I guess I am in one of the very few states without Chipotles.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

20. If you still live in Iowa like your profile says...

You've got them in Missouri, Minnesota and Illinois, but no Iowa.

I wouldn't necessarily take a multi-hour road trip just to eat at one (they're good but not that good), but if you do happen upon one it's worth a visit.

[JesterCS]

17. Chipotle!

Love the food, and ive never had a bad experience with them

[fizzgig]

19. hadn't heard of moe's before this thread and have eaten at chipotle once

those burritos are just too big for me and i never eat the leftovers, so i just don't get them. we go to qdoba when my husband wants a burrito and i usually just get nachos. i'm a sucker for their queso.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

23. Qdoba

I like Chipotle and Qdoba about equally.

For whatever reason, Moe's has a hard time staying in business in this part of the world. They had one about 6 blocks from my house that closed about 5 years ago. Pilot put one in their new Sioux City truck stop a littl over a year ago, and it closed within 6 months.

[hobbit709]

26. Freebird's around here.

[Initech]

35. Freebirds is my favorite!

[Taitertots]

27. Las Cazuelas - Just do it. No matter how far it is

http://www.lascazuelasgrill.net/
http://khajes.com/lascazuelasnew/pdf/menu.pdf

[MrScorpio]

28. Never been to either

I like getting my Mexican food at mom and pop establishments

[kwassa]

30. All of Moe's salsas are too mild for me.

and I can't stand the factory aspect of Chipotle. All the ones around here are exercises in intensity and long lines.

The good food around here are all the one-of-a-kind ethnic restaurants, many with great lunch specials. Indian, Persian, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Moroccan, Vietnamese, Columbian, etc.

I miss my years in LA with all the mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants on every street. The joke was that there was 29,000 restaurants in LA, and half of these were Mexican. I still miss specific dishes at specific restaurants. I have never had great chile verde or caldos since then.

[mackerel]

32. Chipotle is flavorless to me but my kids worship it.

I've never heard of Moe's.

[Liberal_in_LA]

38. very flavorless

[mackerel]

33. Is Moe's like Rubio's? I prefer Rubio's over Chipotle.

[Nedsdag]

36. My rankings:

1. Chipotle
2. Qdoba
3. Moe's

[baldguy]

37. Mighty Taco