Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., often known simply as Chipotle, is an international chain of fast casual restaurants specializing in bowls, tacos, and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer. As of March 2023, Chipotle has 3,200 restaurants. Its name derives from chipotle, the Nahuatl name for a smoked and dried jalapeño chili pepper.
The first Chipotle, near the campus of the University of Denver
A ShopHouse lunch bowl
Chipotle Mexican Grill in Markham, Ontario, Canada
A Chipotle restaurant in Brandon, Florida, having the typical service-line layout with menu above
A Mission burrito is a type of burrito that first became popular during the 1960s in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. It is distinguished from other burritos by its large size and inclusion of rice and other ingredients. A key method to the burritos' construction is to steam the wheat flour tortilla to increase its flexibility prior to adding the other ingredients, although that is not a requirement and burritos may be grilled instead. It has been referred to as one of three major styles of burritos in the United States, following the earlier, simple burrito consisting of beans, rice, and meat. It precedes the California burrito, which was developed in the 1980s in San Diego and contains carne asada, cheese and French-fried potatoes.
Mission-style burrito containing shredded pork and rice
La Cumbre is credited as the first to sell the San Francisco‑style burrito, in 1972.
El Faro ("The Lighthouse"); some sources indicate this establishment as the originator of the San Francisco Mission‑style "super burrito" on September 26, 1961.
A standard presentation: the Mission burrito is served wrapped in foil, with chips and salsa on the side.