Chipotle, the Subway of Mexican cuisine but with a twist, has a community divided over a tortilla and plant fiber composite. When it comes to their menu options, the choice between a burrito or bowl can often make or break a person. The question of why often arises when an individual makes their choice at Chipotle. What makes a person so compelled to drift to one side of the fence? The burrito and bowl have many similarities, but the differences are what set one ahead of the other.
The bowl contains all the standard ingredients to your liking, but, as the name suggests, the contents are placed into a cardboard bowl and served to the customer. Most people choose the bowl over the burrito, but for numerous different reasons. People like Kobe Farmer, who is a sophomore at Pahrump Valley High School prefer to indulge in a good ol’ bowl at Chipotle. “I like the bowl more than the burrito. I feel like the bowl gives you a bigger portion. The fact that you don’t need to use your hands to eat is great. I love the neatness. Since there are larger portions, whenever I don’t finish the food, all I need to do is put the lid back on, opposed to a burrito where I have to wrap it up hoping I don’t rip the tinfoil and accidentally make a mess,” Farmer says. The appeal of the bowl seems more enticing to people who prefer cleanliness and food that gets straight to the point.
The burrito is exactly what you think it is: a tortilla with a concoction of ingredients picked by the consumer themselves.
The burrito itself will weigh around one pound as if there aren’t any extra ingredients such as extra queso or guacamole. The wild card is you can make the burrito with more than one tortilla and extra fillings, so it is possible to make a giant burrito. Although fewer people appreciate the burrito, the ones who do aren’t afraid of getting a little dirty. Danny Sanchez, a junior at PVHS prefers the burrito: “I just love the burritos more if I’m being honest. I’ve always ordered bowls, but, one day I just started choosing the burritos instead. It’s just a part of my culture, man.” The burrito may only be a favorite to some, but those who enjoy it know why they choose one side over the other. “I was always 50/50 when I had to decide between the bowl and burrito, but, one day, after I had taken a bite out of the burrito, I knew I had made the right choice,” Sanchez says. Everyone always has a different opinion on everything, but sometimes when it comes down to food people tend to have similar reasons.
The Chipotle bowl and burrito; a clash of two giants in the food category; some like using a fork, some like their hands. But the factors that set the bowl and burrito apart bring the community closer together through great Mexican cuisine. Although people have to choose one side over the other, the customer still gets the fresh and delicious ingredients. Chipotle brings Mexican cuisine to a new level, and the decision between a bowl or burrito is what makes each visit unique. Imagine yourself at a Chipotle near you, what would you order, a bowl or burrito?
