I have always been an avid Qdoba customer, ever since I was little. I remember going there after soccer practice and getting cheese quesadillas and loving them. Considering the fact that dairy and grains were the only two food groups I ate from at that age, this isn't extremely high praise. However, growing older and branching out to different menu items such as Qdoba's chicken queso burrito, I was able to finally appreciate the holiness of such an establishment. Then suddenly, Chipotle appeared and turned every Qdoba-lovers' world upside down. I swore for years I would never stoop as low as to eat at the Qdoba-wannabe chain, but my friends broke me down, and it was then that my world was turned upside down for the second time.
Chipotle is bombass. But Qdoba is bombass, too. Can they coexist peacefully? And if they can't, who will be the ultimate victor? After a lot of research, I broke down the pros and cons of both establishments.
Qdoba
1. They have queso—not just queso, but three types of queso. This is the number one thing that keeps me going to Qdoba. Their queso is so good, like almost so good that it's suspicious. If Chipotle had queso, it would probably be game over. As much as that pains me to say, queso is that important, and I know people agree with me on this one.
2. Guacamole is free with every entrée. Nobody is going to say "You know guac is extra?" to you at Qdoba, and that is enough reason in itself to opt for 'Doba over Chipotle (at least, as far as I'm concerned).
3. More food options than Chipotle. The evidence in right there, friends. Four menu boards versus two. Also Qdoba has breakfast burritos. So basically, you could eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at 'Doba if you so desired (and who wouldn't?).
Chipotle
1. Fresher and higher quality ingredients. Earlier this year, Chipotle announced that all of its ingredients were going to henceforth be GMO free. This means that all of the ingredients that Chipotle now uses are raised with care for animals, farmers, and the environment. When you eat at Chipotle, you can be assured that "no animals were harmed in the making of this burrito." Also, I heard a rumor that they buy avocados from Jason Mraz's farm in California, so that's an added bonus.
2. Sofritas. Chipotle has a vegan/vegetarian option that consists of spicy organic tofu. If you haven't tried it, I really recommend it, because tofu is not as gross as you think. Unfortunately, Qdoba doesn't have a vegan protein option like this, so a burrito full of veggies and beans is about the best you can do.
3. Chips. Enough said.
Results
After a lot of deliberation, I have come to the following conclusion: If you want a good burrito, go to Qdoba because you can get queso. If you want a good burrito bowl, go to Chipotle because it will probably be fresher (even if that guac is extra). In my opinion, until Chipotle has queso, the two will forever remain in a stalemate.
