As you may recall, the Cereal Bowl, located near the Uptown movie theater, was a failed restaurant: The concept of an all-cereal restaurant never succeeded. There's currently a raging debate on our companion email list, the Cleveland Park Listserv, about whether or not Chipotle should be given permission to move in. On the con side are the arguments that Cleveland Park already has two Mexican restaurants, Alero and California Tortilla; and Cleveland Park already has too many restaurants period. Chipotle's supporters say that Chipotle serves good food at a reasonable price, and if Chipotle doesn't fill that vacant space Cleveland Park might be graced with a third tanning salon or yet another nail salon (the fifth).
Cleveland Park has a history of storefronts remaining empty for a long time: The old MacDonald's space, which will become Tackle Box this year, was a neighborhood eyesore for over five years.
What do you think? Should Chipotle, which is classified as a fast food restaurant under DC law, be permitted to open shop in Cleveland Park? You can vote in All Life Is Local's poll.
It's not that I'm a Chipolte hater... it's just... how many burrito places do we NEED? And we can't get a decent latte to save our lives.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia Tortilla has good food and is a local business. Chipotle is a big conglomerate like British Petroleum that has questionable labor practices.
ReplyDeleteI'd die for a good coffee place in Cleveland Park. Chipotle's not bad and it's certainly better than an empty storefront. I just wonder and hope that the "special exception" is granted.
ReplyDeleteImmigrants handcuffed sitting on the curb waiting for the ICE bus is what Chipotle will bring to Cleveland Park.
ReplyDeleteWhy give Chipotle special consideration when they fired their workers without notice?
ReplyDeleteChipotle may be classified as a fast food restaurant, but it doesn't really feel like one. I think it will be good to have. Like others, I'd rather have a coffee shop, but TBH, we can't be so picky.
ReplyDeletePlease powers that be: let us have Chipotle. It's heads over heels better than an empty storefront, and it's good Mexican.
ReplyDeleteCP needs another reasonably priced dining option. Subway, Vace, and Cal Tor are the only three right now and Cal Tor is an awful excuse for a burrito and Vace does not have seating. Although some would argue Biblos or other other med place count as reasonably priced, I disagree. As for the latte argument, if you cant find a good latte at Firehook or Cacao you need to lower your standards. We need the Chip, and it will bring business to the bars and other storefronts. Wherever a Chip is located crowds always follow.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous' comment above:
ReplyDeleteYou are the man and seem to be the only one who knows watsup. Not everyone living in this area is a wealthy older couple. We need at least some affordable places. Cal Tor is GARBAGE. You literally know nothing about burritos or this type of mexican food if you say otherwise. Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe's and Baja Bistro all put Cal Tor to shame. Byblos is not reasonably priced, for a sandwich and fries for dinner I spent $12. I will be grabbing a burrito/bowl for $6.74 frequently when Chipotle opens up.