chipotle mexican grill ~ huge gluten-free options!

A delicious steak bowl from Chipotle Mexican Grill.

1993 was a great year… my movie ticket was $4.00, a gallon of gas for my little 4-cyclinder car was $1.16/gal, and Ty Warner launched the first Beanie Babies.  AND – in Denver, Colorado, Steve Ells founded and opened the first Chipotle Mexican Grill.  Now they are found all across the United States.

Chipotle’s motto is ‘Food With Integrity’, using zero trans fat in their frying oil, no rBGH in their cheese or sour cream, and naturally raised chicken, pork and beef.  Steve’s story is refreshing, as is the huge gluten-free, great-tasting menu at Chipotle.

You don’t need to travel far to find a Chipotle. A safe, gluten-free menu is a welcomed sight whether at ‘home’ or on-the-go (Larchmont Village, California location).

Chipotle provides an “Allergens & Gluten” safe list online and in store, keeping choices extremely simple.  Stay away from the flour tortillas – everything else is safe, for your eating enjoyment.

My favorite (pictured above) is the ‘beef burrito bowl’ – a burrito without the tortilla.  The delicious ingredients consist of:

• cilantro-lime rice
• beef – marinated in spicy, smoky chipotle-chili adobo
• black beans – simmered with onions, garlic, oregano and chipotle-chili adobo
• tomatillo-green chili (medium) salsa
• grilled onions and bell peppers – sauteed with oregano
• cheese – aged white cheddar and jack
• lettuce – fresh, crisp chopped romaine
• guacamole – ripe Hass avocados, mashed with sweet red onions, jalapenos, cilantro, and fresh lemon and lime juice

Many Mexican food eateries serve beef, chicken and carnitas tacos in corn tortillas, and therefore ‘fool’ the uninformed staff AND customers they are a safe, gluten-free option.  Unfortunately, as I’ve found in numerous places, the meat has been marinated in glutenous seasonings, and therefore is not gluten-free.

Their ingredients list is transparent, they offer a nutrition calculator for those inclined to use one, and a kid’s menu for your little ones.  (My beef burrito bowl is 840 calories.  Chips/guac an additional 770 – yikes!  Information is eye-catching.)

As more people lean towards a gluten-free lifestyle, more eateries are learning the importance of food labeling on their menus.  Take a moment to thank those that clearly state gluten-free options.  A little appreciation goes a long way.  Once you read the Chipotle Story or Steve’s Story, you’ll probably appreciate Chipotle Mexican Grill a little more, too!

• Marinated beef burrito bowl, corn chips, fresh guacamole – kitty = $ 11.66 + tip