Qdoba is comparable to a Chipotle burrito. In fact they stole their whole GD business model

edit: agree on the rice jerz

I go to Qdoba every once in a while because it's close to where I work, but Chipotle is much better IMO. The meat at Qdoba is so freaking bland and they overcook everything. When I walk in there I can smell burning food, it gives me a headache. If I go to Qdoba I get a burrito because the bowl is way too small. And I'm still a little hungry after the burrito. At Chipotle I get the bowl and am satisfied.

I'll tell you what is filling is Baja Fresh. Fried tortilla, more cheese, guacamole, chips, and unlimited cilantroed (cilantrical? sp) tomatoes.

A Baja Chicken Burrito "enchilada style" from Baja Fresh is so filling. And great.

Maybe I can steer my family into going there on the way to the Phils game tonight. There's one where Garden State Park used to be. Mmm Baja Fresh.

you guys live in an area where there is so much authentic mexican food around and you're going to chains.

Yes

They're talking about good food, not authentic food.

Seriously though, as a Mexican food fan, I can appreciate where you're coming from, jamie, but it's not like these great Mexican holes in the wall are everywhere. They're concentrated in South Philly, which is not all that easy to get to on an everyday basis. Besides that, this food isn't really comparable to Mexican food, it is a separate market. Finally, Chipotle and El Fuego are the only spots that really do anything for me, and I find QDoba to be awful. When I want Chipotle, I want Chipotle, not Mexican food.

jerseyhoya wrote:

lethal wrote:

Houshphandzadeh wrote:Can you people eat a Qdoba burrito in one sitting? I don't think I can do it in two.

Is it bigger than a Chipotle burrito?

No, but it isn't quite as good. The rice isn't up to par, neither is the tortilla, in my gringo opinion.

Wait, so is Chipotle better or Qdoba? This will be my lunch decision today. And which is bigger? Or Baja Fresh?

jeff2sf wrote:They're talking about good food, not authentic food.

Seriously though, as a Mexican food fan, I can appreciate where you're coming from, jamie, but it's not like these great Mexican holes in the wall are everywhere. They're concentrated in South Philly, which is not all that easy to get to on an everyday basis. Besides that, this food isn't really comparable to Mexican food, it is a separate market. Finally, Chipotle and El Fuego are the only spots that really do anything for me, and I find QDoba to be awful. When I want Chipotle, I want Chipotle, not Mexican food.

It's like being in the mood for a cheeseburger, and someone being like, "It's so sad that you guys go to Five Guys when there are so many nice steak restaurants in the area."

jeff2sf wrote:They're talking about good food, not authentic food.

Seriously though, as a Mexican food fan, I can appreciate where you're coming from, jamie, but it's not like these great Mexican holes in the wall are everywhere. They're concentrated in South Philly, which is not all that easy to get to on an everyday basis. Besides that, this food isn't really comparable to Mexican food, it is a separate market. Finally, Chipotle and El Fuego are the only spots that really do anything for me, and I find QDoba to be awful. When I want Chipotle, I want Chipotle, not Mexican food.

If I want Mexican food, I'll go hit up a taco truck, not some store. Just like if I go to PF Chang's, I'm not looking for Chinese food.

lethal wrote:

jerseyhoya wrote:

lethal wrote:

Houshphandzadeh wrote:Can you people eat a Qdoba burrito in one sitting? I don't think I can do it in two.

Is it bigger than a Chipotle burrito?

No, but it isn't quite as good. The rice isn't up to par, neither is the tortilla, in my gringo opinion.

Wait, so is Chipotle better or Qdoba? This will be my lunch decision today. And which is bigger? Or Baja Fresh?

Chipotle is better every day of the week and twice on Sunday than Qdoba, unless you want a quesadilla or soup or something that Chipotle's limited menu does not offer. Their burritos are similar in size. I think I might prefer Baja Fresh out of the three of them. The salsa bar is a nice touch, and the burrito enchilada style is tasty as hell. I guess it all comes down to personal taste though.

Yeah, I'd put them in separate categories too. Sometimes you just want a ridiculous Americanized burrito at Qdoba, Chipotle, etc., and like Jeff mentioned, there aren't any of those real taquerias even in Center City. And if you go to the South Philly Mexican places, more often than not, their burritos are awful, which I think is because most of the Philly Mexican joints are not from regions where they typically even make burritos. But their tacos are awesome.

Also, at Qdoba I ask for less rice in it, since they throw too much in there. It also makes you less likely to slip into a burrito coma afterward.

You're way off, jamie. There was tons of good Mexican food two blocks from my old place in South Philly. By my new place in Center City, not so much.

Also, I had the fucking flu so cut me some slack.

Just got out of my third interview for a new job, and was told during it there would be two more rounds before a decision was made. I'm thinking of making costume changes during them

crap sorry i totally forgot

I've seen maybe two Phillies games in the past month. Don't think I've even seen highlights in about a week and a half.

I have a Qdoba right next to the building where I work, a Baja Fresh across the street, and a Chipotle a mile or two down the road.

When the Qdoba opened a few weeks ago one of my coworkers dropped his business card there and won a catered lunch for 20. It was pretty damn good for buffet-style food -- warm tortillas, seasoned chicken or steak, guacamole, various salsas, rice, etc. Plus cookies and brownies.

They just opened a Qdoba across from the plymouth meeting mall. So I too now have all three within a mile.

but i don't like mexican

Didn't I? wrote:I've seen maybe two Phillies games in the past month. Don't think I've even seen highlights in about a week and a half.

But you get to wear flip flops to work! And you have a ping pong or pool table or foosball table (or all three!) in your office!

(I'm guessing that work has been keeping you from the Phils--if it's something else, nevermind.)

Shouldn't you know what's been keeping you from watching the Phils?