Battle of the burritos: Chipotle vs. Barberitos

By Arbogast, Brandon, October 5, 2016

By Niki Maragos// Staff Writer

Although High Point University offers many great dining options for its students there isn’t a tex-mex food chain on campus. With many restaurants across the nation all competing for the title of having the best burrito or the tastiest taco, HPU students are able to travel a few minutes off campus to give their opinion on who wins the award: Chipotle or Barberitos.

With each restaurant only being two miles away, it’s no doubt that students can easily go to the one they prefer the most. Each has been a favorite of so many students throughout the years. With Chipotle being built in an even closer location in the past year, it makes it easier for the Chipotle lover to reach. But what makes one of these Mexican grills best?

Juniper Nie, student and Chipotle employee explains why she prefers Chipotle. “The meat comes from free-roaming animals that are not caged and given inferior lives,” Nie said. “There are no chemicals injected into them.” It makes it even more enjoyable to eat a steak burrito bowl from Chipotle knowing that the cow was happy and healthy in its lifetime.

Nie also added that Chipotle offers great deals for people on a budget like college students. Very often they will give out free drink promotions or even a free burrito or chips. They also do various fundraisers to help clubs and organizations at HPU. They will team up with a student group for the night and half of the proceeds go to benefit the organization’s philanthropy.

Even though Chipotle does a wonderful job of raising their animals for their meat, that doesn’t mean they haven’t had health issues in the past. Student Nikki Dyson chooses Barberitos over Chipotle.

“Barbs has never had a problem with E. Coli in their food,” Dyson said. Starting in July of 2015, Chipotle experienced a slight E. Coli dilemma and had to shut down their restaurants for a bit to take safety precautions, but that didn’t keep Chipotle from coming back and once again serving delicious food.

When it comes to the big difference in the two restaurant’s menus, it’s very simple. Barberitos has queso – a warm and creamy cheese dip for their chips, and Chipotle has their very popular guacamole. Despite the fact that Chipotle’s guac costs extra, it is still Jonathan Martinuzzi and Will Via’s favorite option because of how fast it comes out and how much food they are actually given. Perhaps it’s worth spending a bit more to ensure a good quantity.

It could possibly be that many people feel the same way about the quantity and speed of Barberitos, which is exactly why Harrison Janson loves to eat there. “Barbs always seems less crowded, and I like that I can get my food fast and sit and enjoy it,” Janson said. A little peace and quiet to devour a burrito is never a bad thing.

At the end of the day we can all agree on one thing – we love burritos. It seems that both Chipotle and Barberitos are great off-campus dining options because of their close proximity, affordability and absolute deliciousness. I, for one, wouldn’t count either out when considering what Mexican restaurant to hit next. Just consider this – queso or guacamole?