Dear Chipotle,

Where can words even begin. I can only think back on when I was oblivious to the pleasure you could bring me, scared of the colorful and delectable dishes you offered. I refused, in my picky, simplistic way, to try anything new, determined to stick by my narrow mindedness. Then, when I finally tried a savory morsel, my life was changed. My senses were put into overdrive by the beauty that fell before me: the aromatic smell of freshly cooked chicken, the taste of tangy-sweet corn and the sight of a beautifully filled bowl before my very eyes. How hard it is to write this letter when words are not competent enough to successfully satisfy the joy that you bring into my life.

Every palatable bite is an adventure in itself.

Like a symphony put together by a composer even greater than Mozart, you bring music to my life. The rice lays on the bottom, the tuba of the piece, providing the rich consistency that holds the fundamental essence together. To accompany those low, sonorous bass tones, is the percussion that is the cilantro within the rice, providing a little “tap tap” here or a “boom” there. Together, this is the base of something truly outstanding. Then, on top of these delectables, are the beans, the baritones of the ensemble- low and providing even more substance, building off what is already beneath. The real bulk of our heavenly meal is the meat, like the trombone and low saxophones. In a performance, this is everything that spreads chills down your spine, but in a meal, this is the part that makes your mouth water uncontrollably just at the thought. But our meal is only halfway done. Next comes the toppings, the beautiful complements to our hearty symphony of flavor. The French horns are the pico de gallo, the mild enhancement that adds a mello flavor. The second and third trumpets are the tomatillo-green chili salsa, for their piquant flavor that reflects the trumpets’ poignant yet blended sound. The tomatillo-red chili salsa would have to be alto saxophones because of it’s sharp sound and aggressive flavor that only few can handle. On top of this gorgeous arrangement comes the roasted chili-corn salsa which, like a bassoon, has a wide range of flavor that works in different registers like the roasted chili-corn salsa’s ability to balance its zesty and sweet flavors. The fajita veggies are like the clarinets of the orchestra; an ensemble onto itself, but a perfect blend with it’s surroundings. Clarinets can survive and thrive outside the ensemble, but when incorporated into a larger group, their protruding sound is even more devine. The lettuce is the flutes; a delicate topping resting gracefully on the meal adding texture and style. And on top of it all are the first trumpets, the cheese, the main melody of the performance. And what about the guac you may ask? The guac is the beauty of a solo performer; on it’s own a perfectly balanced and eloquent maestro, yet when backed by the flavorful ensemble, the stars align to create this Adonis of culinary delicacy. And above it all is the conductor, the chips that perch just above the beauty that is this meal, this performance, this work of art.

And so, Chipotle, my love for you and all your parts, every little component that adds to your great beauty, is timeless. The symphonies that came before you cannot compare to the wonders you bring to this artistic world that is my heart.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Nadina