Qdoba?

Noticed a "Mexican" place in Rockville with a weird name and had to check it out. Googled it and found out it wasn't a fancy sit down place, it was fast food and a chain. A burrito joint! Those who know me well, know I have a fondness for burritos, so I had to check it out.

In 1995, Anthony Miller opened the first Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant in Denver with partner Robert Hauser.

With one-of-a-kind offerings like Qdoba Signature Burritos, Qdoba won over customers and critics alike. Denver's Gabby Gourmet restaurant critic named Qdoba one of the top 15 inexpensive restaurants in Colorado. And both the Denver Post and Westword named Qdoba "Best Burrito."

Obviously, it was an idea whose time had come. Fast, fresh Mexican flavors that were anything but old-fashioned refried beans and Spanish rice, prepared right in front of the patrons with only the freshest ingredients.

In just a few years, we've grown to include over 300 Qdoba Mexican Grills from coast to coast. And plenty more are on the way.

[ Qdoba Mexican Grill :: Fresh Burritos, Tacos, Nachos, and Salads Made to Order ]

The rice is almost exactly like Chipotle rice, so someone is borrowing from someone. Qdoba founded in 1995, when was Chipotle?

"When I created Chipotle in 1993, I had a very simple idea: Offer a simple menu of great food prepared fresh each day, using many of the same cooking techniques as gourmet restaurants. Then serve the food quickly, in a cool atmosphere. It was food that I wanted, and thought others would like too. We've never strayed from that original idea. The critics raved and customers began lining up at my tiny burrito joint. Since then, we've opened a few more."

[ Chipotle ]

Doesn't bode well, but perhaps Qdoba just came up with similar rice, or Chipotle had different rice at the start. Perhaps it doesn't even matter much. What's important is how do they taste? Chipotle is awesome. I love them bunches. However Qdoba may have an edge. They have a mole chicken, their steak is yummier, their hottest sauce is hotter and tastier, their red sauce is smoky. I'm giving the win to Qdoba. Seems like a burrito war is in the works.

In 2003, Qdoba was acquired by Jack in the Box Inc., a publicly traded (NYSE: JBX) restaurant company headquartered in San Diego. In addition to Qdoba, Jack in the Box Inc. operates and franchises more than 1,900 Jack in the Box® restaurants, the nation's first major drive-thru hamburger chain. The company also operates its own proprietary brand of convenience store called Quick Stuff®. Qdoba Mexican Grill operates separately from Jack in the Box restaurants.

[ Qdoba ]

Oh man is a burrito war in the works, lets do the math (roughly in order of my preference):

Qdoba - (Jack in the Box)
Chipotle - (McDonald's)
Moe's Southwest - (Raving Brands)
California Tortilla
Baja Fresh - Wendy's
Taco Bell - (Yum! FKA Pepsico)

Am I missing any other national type chains that just haven't hit the DC area yet? Or I just haven't tried? My list contains all chains with at least 75 outlets, so Burrito Bros and Well Dressed Burrito aren't eligible for the war...

Please note, Nate, that this is for the Taco Bell burrito and not for Taco Bell as king of 4th meal.