Tag Archives: Chipotle

Adios, Chipotle

Posted on December 13, 2018 | 19 comments

First there were dos.

Soon there will be cero.

Chipotle — the design-your-own burritos, tacos and bowls place in Compo Acres Shopping Center — will close next week.

An employee confirmed the news. The manager was not available for comment.

Chipotle follows Qdoba out of town. The similar fast-casual Mexican spot at the entrance to Playhouse Square closed in June.

Don’t worry. There are still over 2,400 Chipotles around the globe. And nearly 800 Qdobas.

Don’t want to travel far for Mexican fare?

Right here in Westport you’ve got your choice of Bartaco, Rio Bravo, Señor Salsa, Border Grille and Cuatro Hermanos.

And — of course — the granddaddy of them all: Viva Zapata.

It’s been around, I think, since Emiliano Zapata himself led the Mexican Revolution.

19 Comments

Posted in Restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Westport’s Day Without Immigrants

Posted on February 16, 2017 | 35 comments

An alert “06880” reader — and helpful mother — headed out to Chipotle today. A sick kid at home craved a burrito.

To her surprise, the fast-food chain was closed.

So she drove a couple of miles east, to Border Grille.

That locally owned place was also shut.

How weird, she thought: Two Mexican restaurants, neither serving lunch on a normal Thursday.

But when she got home and read the New York Times, she realized today was not a normal Thursday.

It was “A Day Without Immigrants.”

Border Grill was closed today.

Border Grill was closed today.

The national campaign encouraged foreign-born people nationwide — regardless of legal status — to not work or shop today. The goal is to show the importance of their labor and spending to the U.S. economy.

When she realized what was happening, the Westport burrito-seeker’s mood turned from annoyance to understanding.

“This is an important point to make,” she says. “Our town relies heavily on immigrants who work in our stores, restaurants, lawn services, home improvement projects, etc., etc., etc.”

The Westporter offered to take photos of the closed stores. She headed out again.

She reported back: Chipotle is now open. They said they were closed earlier because of “broiler problems.”

But Border Grill is still closed.

Did you notice any local businesses that were closed today? Do you support or oppose the “Day Without Immigrants” campaign? Click “Comments” to share.

35 Comments

Posted in Economy, Politics, Restaurants

Tagged , , ,

They’re Closing The Nail Salons. Guess What’s Next To Pop Up Everywhere.

Posted on August 5, 2015 | 12 comments

Donald Trump may not like it.

But the Mexicans are coming. Or at least, their restaurants are.

We’ve already got Viva Zapata, Villa del Sol, Border Grill, Bartaco, Cuatro Hermanos, Qdoba, Chipotle and Señor Salsa.

Opening soon:

Rio Bravo

Rio Bravo (“tacos and tequila”) is located near Pier 1 Imports — right next to the old V restaurant. Which is near Bravo Pizzeria and Wine Bar.

I assumed the popular Italian eatery was branching out into Mexican. Just to be sure, I called Bravo.

¡No!

“It’s a very strange coincidence,” said a Bravo (Italia) spokesperson.

Meanwhile, the Saugatuck rumor mill has yet another Mexican restaurant headed to the former post office, near the westbound train tracks.

Hey: If The Donald decides to campaign here, at least we’ll know where not to take him for dinner.

12 Comments

Posted in Local business, Restaurants

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Sam Appel’s Alice B. Toklas Connection

Posted on January 25, 2015 | 3 comments

As a child, Sam Appel created “menus” of cereal and yogurt for her parents — and asked them to pay for their meals.

At Staples High School, she took every culinary class she could. She served as a teaching assistant for instructor Cecily Gans; worked at her summer cooking camp; helped with her catering jobs, and assisted on a cookbook.

Sam was drawn to Chef Gans’ “personality, artistry, and beautiful food.”

She was similarly inspired by English teacher Gus Young. He introduced her to the “art and magic” of food writing.

Not surprisingly, Sam’s college application essay was about food writing.

She had thought about culinary schools. But when she discovered Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration — with its focus on hospitality — she realized that the business side of food was as intriguing as cooking it.

Sam Appel

After graduating from Cornell in 2010, she joined restaurant software company Avero as a consultant. Last May she moved to a marketing position with Chipotle. (Her territory includes Westport — so, coincidentally, she’s involved with their soon-to-be-opened restaurant here.)

Sam loves her job. But she’s just as passionate about the Toklas Society. Named for the legendary cookbook author/creative salon hostess Alice B. Toklas, the 2-year-old nonprofit provides opportunities for empowerment, networking and professional growth to women in the (traditionally male-dominated) food and hospitality industry.

As director of communications, Sam hears plenty of stories about — and is inspired by — female chefs and entrepreneurs.

The Toklas Society has just partnered with Food & Wine Magazine. The prestigious publication and Toklas will feature leaders and rising stars in the food and beverage worlds (on Twitter, follow #foodwinewomen).

Sam Appel is proud that she can support talented women in an industry she loves. She is equally proud that her passion was stirred by 2 key people — Chef Cecily Gans, and English teacher Gus Young — a decade ago at Staples High School.

 

 

3 Comments

Posted in Education, Organizations, People, Restaurants, Staples HS

Tagged , , ,

And In More Shopping Center News…

Posted on October 13, 2014 | 11 comments

It looks like the rumors are true.

Both Chipotle and SoulCycle are coming to Compo Acres Shopping Center.

In fact — according to Equity One’s site plan — they’re already there.

As shown below, SoulCycle is located next to Patriot National Bank, at the west end of the shopping center (furthest away from Trader Joe’s). Chipotle is 2 doors away.

Equity One

Equity One has become a big player on Westport’s commercial real estate scene.

The firm — which owns 135 properties, primarily in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and South Florida, and whose mission is to “develop, redevelop and invest in ‘A’ quality retail properties in the most desirable and productive urban markets in the United States” — already owns the Fresh Market shopping center, and the one across the Post Road (think Dunkin’ Donuts).

As “06880” reported yesterday, 4 of the 6 easternmost storefronts in the Fresh Market center are vacant. Nearby Patio.com recently moved, too.

Sources say that Equity One hopes to demolish the old Patio.com and the closed stores, and erect a new building.

Sources add that Equity One also has its eye on the Terrain property.

Now if they can only do something about that long-abandoned Westport House of Pancakes…

11 Comments

Posted in Local business, Real estate

Tagged , , , ,

Dos Mexicanos

Posted on January 18, 2014 | 7 comments

The other day, an alert “06880” reader was talking to Qdoba corporate headquarters. (It’s a long story.)

QdobaAlong the way, she learned that the Mexican grill — beloved by college students for its (relatively) fresh food and (somewhat) reasonable prices — will be opening in Westport at 275 Post Road East.

The bad news is: that’s Playhouse Square. Traffic already approaches Chris Christie/George Washington Bridge levels. If it goes in where Purple Feet was, we’ll be at Defcon 1.

The good news: There is also a vacant storefront (though it has a “Space Available” sign in front) at the former Pierre Deux. That’s the stand-alone store, at the entrance to the shopping center. So if Qdoba goes there, diners won’t have to actually enter Playhouse Square. They’ll just add to the mess by the traffic light.

Meanwhile, word on the Compo Acres Shopping Center street sidewalk is that the new tenant in the old Oaxaca restaurant space will be: Chipotle.

Further “06880” reports on Qdoba and Chipotle will be forthcoming mañana.

Or whenever we hear something definite.

7 Comments

Posted in Places, Restaurants

Tagged ,