Before I go into detail explaining why Chiptopia was both the best and worst thing in my life, I should first explain what it is.
So, there are three levels to reach every month: mild, medium, and hot. To reach mild, you need to go to Chipotle 4 times a month, to reach medium, 8 times, and hot requires 11 visits a month. Every time you go, you need to swipe your membership card or else the visit won't count (happened to me a few times). For each level you reach, you get your next meal free. So, even though you go to Chipotle 11 times, you only have to pay for 8 of the meals. It's a win for everyone involved.
In addition to this, if you reach at least mild all three months of the program, you will get another free meal! If you reach medium all three months, you will get some type of chipotle merchandise (like a hat), and most impressive, if you reach hot status every month, you get free catering for 20 people! That is a $240 value! And, if you do the math, you only had to spend about $180 to get it (unless you buy drinks with your order). I have honestly never heard of a better deal, so naturally I decided to sell my soul and donate paychecks to Chipotle for July, August, and September.
The first two months were relatively easy. Although I took a week vacation and had to squish all 11 visits in 20 days for both July and August, I could not have been more satisfied with my rewards. However, when September rolled around, a permanent ache lodged itself in my soul and burns every time I set out for another visit.
I still love the food. I am the only person I know who gets tacos, besides my sister on occasion, and still will recommend them to everyone every time someone has a hard time deciding what to order. I also love Chipotle's Coke. When someone says McDonald's has the best Coke, I have to politely tell them that they are wrong. McDonald's does have good Coke, but it is usually warm and that means you need to put ice in your cup and that means if you don't drink it fast enough then your drink will be watery. At Chipotle, the drinks come out of the machine already cold, so you do not have to deal with watery drinks towards the end of your meal. And, I will always have a spot in my heart for Chipotle because I love that they text out deals. They make saving money convenient, and I appreciate that.
However, after going to Chipotle so often in so little time, I am so ready for something new. Every time I want to go out to eat I have to go to Chipotle. I can't convince myself to spend money anywhere else until this is over. I am so invested in this challenge and I don't think it's good for me to be so into something. And, I am afraid that after this month I will never want to go to a Chipotle again. Well, at least for a long time. I don't even know if I will be able to eat at my own catering party, and that is sad.
In conclusion, I love Chipotle. I don't feel guilty about spending my money there because I know I am buying a quality meal. But, all this Chipotle is really starting to catch up with me and I am sad that I am getting tired of it. Thankfully, I only have 8 visits left. I can do this. I think.
