I live in a college town where there are not one, but two rivalries: Cyclones vs. Hawkeyes and Panch vs. Chipotle. I also happen to attend a land-grant university where the ag program is a big freaking deal and heavily recognized around the world. The university is also relatively close to the Chicago area with cheaper out of state tuition than most Illinois kids' in state tuition. Therefor the university houses a big mix between city/suburb kids and farm kids. My college town is also home to two well-known burrito franchises: Chipotle and Pancheros. These two fast-food joints create an inner-scholastic rivalry, but there is one thing for sure. I am Team Panch, have always been Team Panch, will always be Team Panch, and here's why:
1. They have queso. I have never entered a Chipotle restaurant in my life, but from what I heard and what I have noticed while browsing their online menu is that they are missing an essential side dish that almost every Mexican place needs; chips and queso. Team Panch for the win for supplying queso to the masses.
2. They have GMO's. Yup I am one of those crazy people who isn't afraid of eating GMO's. Let's face it, if I'm not getting them in my burrito, I'm getting them somewhere else. Funny thing is I haven't even died yet from my daily consumption of GMO's. Also, GMO's help crop farmers become better stewards of the land by requiring less land and chemicals while still producing high yields. Team Panch for the win with GMO's that are saving the rain forest.
3. They have conventionally raised meat. Funny thing about raising animals in the Midwest (which is where most pigs and poultry are raised at) is that it is really cold from about November-March. Pancheros allows their meat suppliers to raise their animals inside where they are kept under temperature control, protected from predators, monitored and care for closely each day, and under better biosecurity measures to prevent diseases. Chipotle does not. Team Panch for the win for wanting pigs warm and protected fro the big bad mountain lion. Now, I'm not against free range, cage free, etc. raised meat. Diversity is good for an industry and allows all different types of producers to be involved in raising livestock. However, as you read down to #4 you will understand my #3 a little better.
4. They aren't as blatantly hypocritical. Chipotle has a "no-antibiotic" raised meat policy. This means that their meat suppliers are not supposed to use any antibiotics or growth hormones to raise their meat, which is completely fine. They have the right to decide how they want their meat to be raised to match their company's brand. However, they recently have been importing pork from Europe that is raised outside, but the producer also use antibiotics. Most ironic part is that their pork supplier in the United States that the company dropped earlier this year for not allowing his pigs to go outside in the below-zero temperatures, did not use antibiotics in his operation. Confused? Ya so is everyone else. Team Panch for the win for sticking to what they know and what they say they know.
5. They don't bash the American Agriculture Industry. As an ag major myself I am very passionate about how the ag industry is perceived by the public. I know how much time and care goes into raising food for the world and I want everyone else to understand that too. Chipotle does not want you to see that. Instead they like to make 5 minute long commercials that make the American Ag Industry look like a corporate operation run similar to a factory with extremely misleading and false depictions. Interesting take since 95% of the farms in the U.S. are family owned and operated. Team Panch for the win for not bashing someone else to make themselves look better.
I'm not trying to say that people shouldn't eat at Chipotle, because that is not my decision to make for someone else. I am also not saying everybody should be Team Panch. I am just pointing out things that I use as a deciding factor when I'm choosing a restaurant to frequent at. It's easy to pick a place simply on taste. However, if you choose a place to eat because of what the company stands for, then I believe you are a smarter consumer. And really, what Mexican restaurant doesn't have queso? Seriously?
1. They have queso. I have never entered a Chipotle restaurant in my life, but from what I heard and what I have noticed while browsing their online menu is that they are missing an essential side dish that almost every Mexican place needs; chips and queso. Team Panch for the win for supplying queso to the masses.
2. They have GMO's. Yup I am one of those crazy people who isn't afraid of eating GMO's. Let's face it, if I'm not getting them in my burrito, I'm getting them somewhere else. Funny thing is I haven't even died yet from my daily consumption of GMO's. Also, GMO's help crop farmers become better stewards of the land by requiring less land and chemicals while still producing high yields. Team Panch for the win with GMO's that are saving the rain forest.
3. They have conventionally raised meat. Funny thing about raising animals in the Midwest (which is where most pigs and poultry are raised at) is that it is really cold from about November-March. Pancheros allows their meat suppliers to raise their animals inside where they are kept under temperature control, protected from predators, monitored and care for closely each day, and under better biosecurity measures to prevent diseases. Chipotle does not. Team Panch for the win for wanting pigs warm and protected fro the big bad mountain lion. Now, I'm not against free range, cage free, etc. raised meat. Diversity is good for an industry and allows all different types of producers to be involved in raising livestock. However, as you read down to #4 you will understand my #3 a little better.
4. They aren't as blatantly hypocritical. Chipotle has a "no-antibiotic" raised meat policy. This means that their meat suppliers are not supposed to use any antibiotics or growth hormones to raise their meat, which is completely fine. They have the right to decide how they want their meat to be raised to match their company's brand. However, they recently have been importing pork from Europe that is raised outside, but the producer also use antibiotics. Most ironic part is that their pork supplier in the United States that the company dropped earlier this year for not allowing his pigs to go outside in the below-zero temperatures, did not use antibiotics in his operation. Confused? Ya so is everyone else. Team Panch for the win for sticking to what they know and what they say they know.
5. They don't bash the American Agriculture Industry. As an ag major myself I am very passionate about how the ag industry is perceived by the public. I know how much time and care goes into raising food for the world and I want everyone else to understand that too. Chipotle does not want you to see that. Instead they like to make 5 minute long commercials that make the American Ag Industry look like a corporate operation run similar to a factory with extremely misleading and false depictions. Interesting take since 95% of the farms in the U.S. are family owned and operated. Team Panch for the win for not bashing someone else to make themselves look better.
I'm not trying to say that people shouldn't eat at Chipotle, because that is not my decision to make for someone else. I am also not saying everybody should be Team Panch. I am just pointing out things that I use as a deciding factor when I'm choosing a restaurant to frequent at. It's easy to pick a place simply on taste. However, if you choose a place to eat because of what the company stands for, then I believe you are a smarter consumer. And really, what Mexican restaurant doesn't have queso? Seriously?