Chipotle

Beginning at the end of October, Oxford will have a new Mexican restaurant in town. Chipotle joins Qdoba and Fiesta Charra on the first block on West High Street.

Before, students drove to Hamilton or Colerain for their Chipotle burrito and chips.

Founded in 1993 by Steve Ellis, a classically trained chef, Chipotle has more than 900 locations nationwide and makes more than $1 billion annually, according to Hoover's, Inc. online.

Jenna Simenic, Chipotle's spokesperson, said Miami University students and other interested parties have been asking for an Oxford location for years. She said the chain looked into a number of locations before choosing the former Wendy's site. She said Chipotle ultimately chose uptown because of its proximity to college dorms, apartments and houses.

Grace Campbell, a junior, said she loves Chipotle.

"Qdoba tastes like a knock-off of Chipotle," Campbell said.

For Miami Chipotle lovers like Campbell, soon, their burrito could be just a tap away.

Chipotle offers an ordering application for iPod and iPhones.

The restaurant uses iTouch software, letting customers choose when and where they want to pick up their food. After placing the order, customers skip to the front of the line at pick up.

Good food doesn't have to mean a wad of cash. On Chipotle.com, Founder Steve Ellis summarizes the restaurant's price promise.

"Chipotle is gourmet food you can eat with your hands and fill up in 15 minutes for about $6," Ellis said.

Krickett Karson, consultant for Chipotle since 2001, said Chipotle doesn't just serve good, inexpensive burritos, but they might be better for you too.

Karson said in 2007 Chipotle stopped serving dairy products made with milk from cows treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone), used to increase milk production in cows.

Karson added that Chipotle then convinced Daisy, its main supplier, to stop buying milk from cows treated with the hormone. She said Chipotle will only do business with companies that maintain similar practices.

This decision made Chipotle the first national restaurant chain to eliminate rBGH entirely from items on its menu. Karson said Chipotle followed the lead of Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the European Union to ban the use of the hormone in food processes. According to Karson, the decision to stop using the hormone is controversial and industries behind rBGH have sued for the right to include the phrase "the FDA shows no appreciable difference between cows treated with rBGH and those not" listed on dairy products.

Through its "Food with Integrity" program, the chain aims to ensure that every plant, pig and cow is treated well before becoming Chipotle ingredients, unassociated with factories and hormones.

For some, it might make it more appetizing.

Sophomore Tyler Taylor said she prefers Chipotle to Qdoba because the chicken tastes better.

Senior Scott Hartman said he has never eaten at Chipotle, he is excited to try the new flavor.

Chipotle will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Qdoba

Chelsea Hull, Qdoba's assistant manager in Oxford, said the restaurant is a casual dining experience, falling somewhere between Taco Bell and Fiesta Charra. Qdoba has been on High Street since 2003.

The restaurant is finding creative ways to bring in revenue. Since March, Qdoba extended its hours to 3 a.m. Thursday and Saturday nights, and as a result, now sees average weekly profits ranging between $28,000 and $36,000, Hull said.

Hull said late night Qdoba lines are out the door with happy, drunk college students, thankful to have hot food waiting for them when the bars close.

Qdoba also hosts video game days, where people can stop in on chosen Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Participants compete for both the game and a free entree. The next game day, Mario Kart, will take place in less than a month.

But even with the late hours and specialty nights, Hull said she fears Chipotle could claim up to 30 percent of Qdoba's business.

"It is frustrating that they have chosen to be so close, right next door to us," Hull said.

Although many are waiting for the "burritification" sign to come down and for Chipotle to open its doors, Qdoba is not giving up without a fight. Hull said they are making the extra effort to set themselves apart from their competitor, playing off the fundamental differences between the two.

Hull said the difference starts with the beans, the base of a good Mexican meal.

At Qdoba, both pinto and black beans are vegetarian, she said. At Chipotle, only the black beans are vegetarian and the pinto beans are seasoned with bacon, Simenic said.

So animal lovers, even if you don't like your burrito spicy, at Qdoba you can still get your veggie on.

Hull said Qdoba offers more add-ons than Chipotle, tailoring each burrito, taco and quesadilla to the customer's individual preferences.

Qdoba participates in MUBucks, giving Miami students the option to buy their Mexican with money already set aside on their Miami I.D. for uptown dining.

They also participate in http://www.collegemobiledeals.com, where students can sign up to get text message coupons for various uptown restaurants.

Starting about a month ago, Qdoba has served breakfast from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. and again starting at 7 a.m.

Senior Schyler Hosler first tried Qdoba breakfast while visiting Indiana University and was excited when it was added to Oxford's menu last year. He said he likes that the queso comes with breakfast at no additional charge.

Hosler said he likes Qdoba better than Chipotle overall because it offers more choices.