It's a Chipotle nation.
The restaurant chain has spawned a blog and ebook called The Chipotle Effect. It inspired countless similar restaurant models and brought the term "fast casual" to the masses.
One patron has a blog dedicated to eating Chipotle for 159 days (and counting!). Mark Rantal has been glorified for his same order every day for 113 days so far ("white rice, pinto beans, fajitas, sofritas, mild salsa, corn, medium salsa, cheese and lettuce").
Enough is enough, Mark.
Break out of your burrito bowl rut with one of these restaurants that follows similar customizable dining models. Variety is the spice of life. (Puns.)
A photo posted by Andrea Dickherber (@amdickherber) on Jul 20, 2015 at 2:38pm PDT
Blaze Pizza gets its celebrity credential from superstar backers like href="http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/blaze-fast-fired-pizza-adds-junior-bridgeman-and-jim-patterson-as-franchise-partners-1866196.htm">LeBron James and its foodie cred from grilled-to-order pizzas. They have toppings that range from the classic (meatball, chopped garlic and mozzarella cheese) to the unexpected (gorgonzola cheese, banana peppers and white cream sauce). And you don't even have to ask — gluten-free crust is available.
A photo posted by sweetgreen (@sweetgreen) on Jun 29, 2015 at 2:48pm PDT
If the last place you got lunch also sold lotto tickets and cigarettes, it's time to up your game. Sweetgreen is the hippest, coolest kid in the make-your-own-salad game, and with a rotating seasonal menu and options like a Mexican Corn Elote bowl, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Plus, salad for lunch means you deserve a Snickers from the office candy jar for dessert.
A photo posted by indikitch (@indikitch) on Aug 18, 2014 at 8:07am PDT
Bollywood on your lunch break. This casual Indian eatery features three vegetarian proteins alongside meat ones, craveworthy condiments like coconut chutney and dosa tacos (a dosa is a thin rice and lentil crepe). This food is definitely modified for palates unaccustomed to Indian flavors, but it's accessible, affordable and if you add a crispy potato-filled samosa, it's hard to beat for a filling lunch.
A photo posted by Which Wich (@whichwich) on Jul 1, 2015 at 9:42am PDT
You're an adult. Build the sandwich of your dreams. Load it up with almost any ingredient under the sun: There are four types of mayonnaise and three different styles of onions before you even get to the main filling options. Among all the health-conscious possibilities, like a lettucewich (lettuce as a wrapper instead of bread), there are also fun surprises like bacon, candied walnuts and Cheez Whiz. The right choice is always Cheez Whiz.
A photo posted by 4 Rivers Smokehouse (@4riverssmokehouse) on May 11, 2015 at 9:25am PDT
Slap on the stretch pants and join the line at this customizable BBQ joint. Chose from any of their signature sandwiches or make your own entree. With two different types of ribs, a bevy of smoked meat and both sweet potato casserole and fried pickles on the menu, you might as well just call in sick to work for the rest of the afternoon — you'll be in a food coma.