Steve Ells, founder of the red-hot Mexican-food chain, Chipotle, spoke with BusinessWeek and one of his answers is another example of just how large Apple’s mind share has grown:
BW: What other companies do you admire?
Ellis: Apple. I’ve watched Steve Jobs’ introduction of the iPhone multiple times, and it’s an hour-and-a-half long. I admire his passion for not accepting mediocre stuff. People don’t ask for this stuff, but when they see it, they go, “Oh my God, it’s what I always wanted.”
Thinking about the Apple disciples—I’m not even going to call them customers—it’s as if they have ownership in the product, and they do the selling for the company. There’s also this sense that once people convert, they’re like, “I can’t believe what I have been putting up with all these years.” I hope there is going to be some tipping point when we all say, “My God, why are we putting up with this fast food?” Not that I want everybody to eat at Chipotle every day, but great food is something that everybody should have access to. And people should demand this from every place they eat.
Full article here.
If only we had a nickel for every email we’ve received form Windows to Mac switchers that said, “I can’t believe what I have been putting up with all these years.”
That we couldn’t get an endorsement from a company that makes good food.
Chipotle sucks!
MW: <b>stay<b> away from Chipotle. Eat at Mom ‘n’ Pop places instead!
They have the BEST burritos evar!
mmmmm, chipotle.
definitely a must visit when in seattle.
As if I needed another reason to go to Chipotle. Mmm.. carnitas burrito. Drooollll…
(And “Too Bad” need to have his taste buds checked out. They’re obviously malfunctioning.)
So what do you think sucks about Chipotle? Do you not like the taste? Or is there something about the corporate side of Chipotle you don’t like? If you don’t like the flavor, don’t eat there. No need to call for a boycott.
Chipotle was founded here in Denver by Steve Ells, a young guy that created his own standalone restaurant. He was “mom & pop”. It grew here in Denver very quickly and began getting franchised out. A few years ago, McDonalds invested in them. So, is that what you don’t like? If that’s the case, you need to put your money where your mouth is and also boycott any other chains, right? No shopping at Wal-Mart or Target, Costco or Sam’s Club. No chain restaurants. Don’t wear brand name clothes. Hell, don’t buy an Apple computer – instead, purchase a locally built PC.
Chipotle
good stuff… we’ve got a few downtown Chicago… Very nice.
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Potbelly’s is good too! Yum
Actually, McDonalds no longer has a stake in Chipotle.
“Stay away from Chipotle. Eat at Mom ‘n’ Pop places instead!”
They were a Mom and POP!, they were so good that an investor came along and helped them Franchise it.
Whats wrong with that!!!!
When someone has success we should be happy, If a mom and Pop is good, they are good, and will attract customers, period.
@ mattshu
We should have lunch there some time. We could get all the Seattle Macintosh crackpots together. =)
Best. Burritos. Ever.
Flaming. Butthole. Afterward.
@ChrissyOne
Why not have an MDN nationwide flashmob at Chipotle – all go to your local Chipotle at a selected day/time with your Mac….
Yeah but all their systems are Windows based
We do not have it in Montreal 🙁
and I love Mexican food (after two years living in LA)
He didn’t say if he was a Mac user, just an Apple admirer.
Hey tjfoam – then you must love that Chipotle and Potbelly are right across the street from each other near Franklin/Madison in the Loop. I usually alternate each of them from one day to the next.
And, on the odd chance you want to figure out how many calories/fat/etc. are in that tasty Chipotle burrito, check this site out:
http://www.chipotlelovers.com/calculator.asp
Not for the faint of heart, kids
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Can anyone explain why people pronounce Chipotle as Chi-poll-tay?
Do you think Steve Ells uses a Mac???
We all know he is buying an iPhone for sure!!
Hey ChrissyOne – Hello from Chicago! It was zero with a wind chill of -19 when I got up this morning. How are things in Seattle?
you haters are insane. chipotle makes the best burritos in this country.
Jesus, you midwesterners that think Chipotle is a godsend have to be FUGGIN DELIRIOUS
Come move to California, I can take you to any random taco truck in Oakland, LA, or San Francisco that will blow your doors down and make you cry wondering how you ever thought NotastePOTLE makes the best burrito ever.
L.M.F.A.O.
Then again, compared to Taco Bell, it probably IS for you dorks from the midwest and the east coast! LOL!
Come to California, we’ll give you some bomb a## mexican food.
How many Chicago people are on here? I usually hit the Chipolte on Michigan & Wacker. But it’s so freaking cold.
I don’t know about their food, since I’ve never been to one, but they have a really cool web site.
http://www.chipotle.com/
What do you call that, the avocado interface?
There is one restaurant nearby, so I’ll have to pay them a visit.
I think we know a thing or two about Mexican restaurants here in Chicago considering we have the second largest Mexican population behind LA. There are several great ones near my apartment off Ashland. HOWEVER, there aren’t many great ones in the LOOP where a lot of us work so Chipotle is a great subsitute.
The best part about chipotle is their promotions. I have payed for about 8 burritos in the past few months, but I’ve gotten at least that many for free.
CHIPOTLE IS AMAZING
LMFAO @ CHIPOTLE FANS
Yeah, kinda gotta agree on this. We have them in Austin, but I’ve lived here for 21 years and never set foot. Still, better than no whiskey at all.
Cool to hear how Ells “gets it” though. iMargaritas are forthcoming…
I tend to agree with the “LMFAO” guy up there… although I’m not quite as harsh…
But next time anyone is out in California, swing by San Diego and stop by some local taco shops/vans. Good stuff that can’t be copied by a chain, even if that chain started as a mom and pop; they’re not a mom and pop anymore.