Chipotle 3 with Alan Aisenberg and Mike Castle

"Chipotle 3 with Alan Aisenberg and Mike Castle" is Episode 249 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Chipotle 3 with Alan Aisenberg and Mike Castle" was released on April 30, 2020.

## Synopsis

The stars of Netflix's *Brews Brothers* (Alan Aisenberg and Mike Castle) join the 'boys to review quarantine Chipotle and discuss restrictive diets. Plus, another edition of Spoonman's Treat or Skeet.

## Nick's intro

A disease that purportedly originated on the other side of the globe ravaged North America, sickening Americans across numerous states, 40% of whom would require hospitalization; the year was 2015 and the disease was E. coli.

And the suspected flashpoint? A fast-casual Mexican restaurant that built its brand on fresh ingredients and meals assembled to order.

While no deaths were linked to the outbreak, which the chain attributed to Australian beef - though independent investigations were less conclusive - the food-borne illness delivered a devastating blow to the chain that famously reminds you that "guac is extra."

And that wasn't the end of it, as the widely-publicized E. coli scare was followed by additional outbreaks: norovirus later in 2015 and again in 2017, a bacterial infection that sickened 368 customers of a franchise near Columbus, Ohio in 2018, as well as a different sort of virus - a 2017 data breach that plagued locations in 47 states.

According to its financial reports, the restaurant's revenue dipped 36% after the initial E. coli scare and with its other setbacks, it would take three full years for the chain's sales to return to pre-E. coli levels.

But the eatery has soldiered on, and that it endures suggests it will be a fixture of the American chain-restaurant industry for decades to come, food-borne illness be damned. In fact, while Yum! Brands' Taco Bell remains the sector kingpin, the E. coli survivor's nearly 2500 locations place it second among Mexican-American restaurants, ahead of stalwarts like Qdoba, Moe's, and Del Taco.

But where does this Colorado-founded chain named for a smoked jalapeño go from here?

And how do its burritos, bowls, and oft-forgotten tacos fare five years removed from its public health/public relations crisis?

This week on *Doughboys*, we return, once again, to Chipotle Mexican Grill.

## Fork rating

Chipotle had been reviewed twice before this episode. First, back in episode 7, Nick gave it 5 forks and Mitch 4; Chipotle become the very first restaurant to be placed in the Golden Plate Club. A few years later, in episode 118, they tried Chipotle again: this time with Nick dropping it to 4 and Mitch giving it 3.75. (These results removed it from the Golden Plate Club.)

Chipotle has also come in third in its Doughlympics appearance, and had an up-and-down run during **Munch Madness: Mouth of the Border** (it lost to Qdoba, then beat Green Burrito in Fat Chance Kitchen, then lost to Poquito Mas in the next round).

	+ Guacamole
	+ Pinto Beans
	+ White Rice
	+ Fajita Veggies
	+ Tomatillo-Green Chili Salsa
	+ Cheese
	+ Sour Cream
* Chips & Guacamole
 Mike Mitchell
	+ White Rice
	+ Pinto Beans
	+ Barbacoa
	+ Cheese
	+ Sour Cream
	+ Fresh Tomato Salsa
	+ Tomatilla-Green Chili Salsa
	+ Red Salsa
* Chips & Queso
 Alan Aisenberg
	+ Brown Rice
	+ Black & Pinto Beans
	+ Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
	+ Tomatilla-Green Chili Salsa
	+ Sour Cream
	+ Lettuce
	+ Sofritas
* Chips
 Mike Castle
	+ Rice

Yes, Mike had a burrito with just rice inside.

## Spoonman's Sip or Ship

In Spoonman's Sip or Ship, Mitch has a drink by himself and rates it 'good' or 'bad.' Nick and the guests can ask him questions about it.

For this episode, he tries Twix Chocolate Milk.

Mitch did not enjoy it at all, but drank the whole bottle.

## Related Episodes

* 65. Doughlympics - Mexican Division
* 118. Chipotle 2
* 193. Mouth of the Border: Fast Casual Region
* DD. Mouth of the Border: Fat Chance Kitchen
* DD. Mouth of the Border: Fat Chance Kitchen
* 249. **Chipotle 3**
* DD. BOWL: Rumblies Region
* 390. BOWL: Semi-Soft Finals
* 391. BOWL: Finale

## Photos

Burrito BowlVeggie BurritoChips & GuacamoleGuacamole