Cuisine: Mexican
Protein! Protein. Protein! It is the gen-z totem. It’s all they can seemingly talk or think about. And there is no place more protein-forward in their minds than Chipotle. Hipster Jr. could eat rice, beans and double chicken twice a day every day and never get tired of it. To him and his brethren this is the perfect bowl of food. Unless it’s a cheat day, in which case Taco Bell will suffice. Neither of which is really Mexican, of course, but in this world of fast and fast casual, I guess that’s what passes for it in the never-ending chain.
Okay, now that we’ve established that the kids love their Chipotle and think chicken and protein drive the soul, we can get to the goods. If you’ve been to one Chipotle, you’ve been to all Chipotles. Mostly. There was a time at this one where you could order a quesadilla in person, but not online. And then you could order it online and not in person. I assume they’ve gotten that straightened out at this point, but it did cause some serious consternation before Hipster Jr. switched his quesadilla fascination to the world-famous, protein-rich burrito bowl. I also made the mistake of ordering an entire Chipotle meal to the wrong location because something reverted on their site to my previous order some 250 miles away. Going to pick it up and having then stare at me like I had two heads was an exercise in abject humiliation. Luckily, Hipster Jr. had friends who were still back at school and were able to go pick up my mistaken order for a free dinner. Hope they enjoyed it. I know they did.
I’d say my experience at this particular store has been a mixed bag. During COVID they had no forks or napkins. There was a loooong stretch where they had no ice in the drink machines. Sometimes their burrito bowls with single chicken have more than they do with double chicken. It kind of all depends on who’s working that day. They also don’t really listen when you say “not too much sour cream.” It’s like a dairy dump truck, it is. I’m also curious why they do the whole protein rotation thing? I weirdly fell in love with their chicken al pastor — despite it having two of my least favorite flavors in pineapple and cilantro — and then it vanished. It’s back now, but why do they torture me so! This place does get really busy and isn’t exactly super-speedy at certain times, but the last couple times I’ve been there, it’s been fine. I would suggest ordering ahead, though, just in case you hit that high school boy protein rush. I believe West Orange High is in driving range, so you may be in for it at the lunch rush. Otherwise, assuming their supply chain has stabilized, it’s a perfectly okay example of this chain, but will only pick up popularity once the giant new Target opens in the mall in which it currently sits. Get your protein now!
235 Prospect Ave. – West Orange
973/736-1873
chipotle.com
