Chipotle-The @14thefrog review.

The first time I ever encountered Chipotle was in Minnesota about six years ago. I know I risk sounding like a spotty teenager on about a band who "used to be underground" when I say that, but it's true. I was impressed too, I'd never had a burrito, or "barbacoa beef" or "cilantro rice", nor had I ever eaten anything shaped like a "kagool" (one of those 70's collapsible jackets we all wore on belts around our waist) and wrapped in tin foil. It all seemed very windswept and interesting, as well as tasty and great value. Given all of that, I was very excited when Chipotle came to Wimbledon and couldn't wait to try it.


We went with the kids early tea-timish and it was fairly quiet on arrival. The staff were fully clued up into the American service etiquette, and the smiles and welcomes we're absolutely beaming. My guess is that if you went in when Brazil were playing in the World Cup you might find them a bit short-staffed, but to all intents and purposes you could have been in Wisconsin rather than dear old Wimbers such was the enthusiasm of the greeting. I went for the "barbacoa" on the insistence of my little lad who'd been before, along with some black beans, some white rice, guacamole, hot chilli sauce, lettuce and probably a couple of other things which escape me right now. Everyone else also had burritos (actually tell a lie my little girl had soft taco's) and we had some tortilla chips and some "guac" to nibble on. Drinks are in can or bottle form rather than post-mix, so all in all it couldn't be quicker or more efficient if it tried. Also, there's more people behind the jump than you can shake a shiny shovel at, so I reckon even if/when it gets busy you should get sorted out fairly sharpish.

So how was it? Well, the food was decent rather than being unbelievably good. I enjoyed it don't get me wrong, but I wasn't blown away in a "jeez I can't wait till we come back here again" sense. To tell the truth, I'm fairly sure this wasn't down to the food or the service though. It was down in the main to the fact that the seats in the restaurant area are made of stainless steel and are flippin freezing on your bum. There was no heating to speak of when we were there, the walls are matt white without a picture in sight, the whole thing is stark and the overall effect was that we kept our coats on and I couldn't wait to finish up and get moving. This isn't in a part of town where I'd imagine there'll be a huge take-away market (obviously I might be wrong but I don't think I am) and I think given that the design of the seating areas is ill conceived. It'll work alright in the Summer, but I can't see too many rushing back to sit in for the rest of the year. There's a really nice garden area out the back too, and if it was me I'd push the boat out and get a heater or two out there.                      

All in all I definately would go back again. Bizarrely though, Wimbledon will soon have three Mexican restaurants and the competition is obviously fierce. While Chipotles food stands comparison to @tortillaUK down the road, it is in a quieter spot on the high street by far and as a "dining in" experience is a mile behind. The one down the road is warmer, has more brick in the design, more oranges and reds and just feels more welcoming. London as Ralph McTell sang, can be a cold and a lonely place for much of the year. It takes more than a "have a nice day" to make us feel warm inside. A cushion or two on the chairs, a colour splash picture or two on the walls, a notch or two up on the heating is very much called for. I hope Chipotle prospers in Wimbledon, but I'd be surprised if it can without a modification on the current offering.