OPINION

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By Collin Kimball-McKavish

“Welcome to Moe’s!” is the first thing you hear as you walk into the delicious southwest grill, and all your worries clear as you begin to order the perfect burrito or bowl of your choosing. Now, some people might say that “Moe’s is Mid” (Henry Patterson (‘23)) or “Who the heck goes to Moe’s?” (Jane Simpkin (‘26)).

I, however, think that Moe’s is far superior to its better-known competitor, Chipotle, in all categories, especially their delicious queso. 

The results of The Match‘s online poll pitting Moe’s against Chipotle.

In a poll of the Collegiate Upper School, The Match asked students about whether they prefer Moe’s or Chipotle. Out of the 182 respondents, approximately 13.7% chose correctly, choosing Moe’s, while the other 86.3% chose incorrectly by choosing Chipotle. They clearly don’t have the sophisticated taste buds to vote in such polls. While Chipotle may have more votes, more locations, and overall better popularity than Moe’s, Moe’s is a hidden gem that many people overlook, because Chipotle is more accessible around Richmond and an easier way to get southwestern food.

Around Richmond, there are three Moe’s locations: on West Broad near Cox Road, on Midlothian Turnpike in Midlothian, and in Mechanicsville. There are 18 different Chipotle locations around Richmond, which clearly explains the hate given to Moe’s from the Collegiate community. Nationwide, there are 3,047 Chipotles, while there are only 686 Moe’s. That means for every Moe’s location, there are roughly five Chipotles. Obviously, this explains why people think they enjoy Chipotle more, but if the amount of locations were similar, I think the percentage of people who like Moe’s more would be higher.

Photo credit: Collin Kimball-McKavish.

Moe’s has the softest tortilla in the southwestern food industry. When you bite into your delicious burrito, you can rip through the tortilla so easily that it allows easier access to the delicious filling. At Chipotle, the tortilla is often coarse and sometimes even stale, as the employees never know what they are doing or know how to properly fold the burrito or quesadilla. 

Upper School student Clara Totten (‘26) remarked, “We tried to get Chipotle last night, and there weren’t any chips, guac, mild salsa, or burrito shells. It has been like that for the past few months, and Mexican food is just okay without guac. Also, when they do have chips, they are often stale.” At Chipotle, the tortillas are always folded in an odd shape by the employees, to the point where the food falls out all over the table. 

Photo credit: Collin Kimball-McKavish.

Also, in every ingredient, Moe’s is better. The rice has more flavor, the shredded cheese compliments the chicken and lettuce better, and the queso is so much better compared to Chipotle’s lackluster attempt at cheese dip. In the words of Upper School student Luke Smith (‘23), “Moe’s is completely superior. Chipotle is frequently out of food, their meat is chewy, and their chips contain a deadly amount of salt. Moe’s has quality ingredients in all aspects, especially their white meat chicken, shredded cheese, and seasoned rice. I can’t stress enough how much better Moe’s is.” The quality of ingredients at Moe’s clearly outranks the mediocre ingredients at Chipotle, which people simply eat because of how resistant they are to change in the southwestern grill industry. 

Moe’s even has superior drink selections. The touch screen soda machine at Moe’s is a game-changer, with countless bubbly beverage options to choose from, while Chipotle has only eight choices. It just brings me joy every time I can scroll through my options and mix and match different types of drinks to make the perfect concoction of flavor. While at Chipotle, I’m stuck with the basic options that I can get at any restaurant. If Chipotle even wants to compete in this category, they need to get a touch screen soda machine, because that is where Moe’s undoubtedly has them beat.

Moe’s touch screen soda machine. Photo credit: Collin Kimball-McKavish.

When I go to a southwestern grill, I want to feel welcomed and comforted. At Moe’s, they scream, “Welcome to Moe’s!” every time any customer comes into their restaurant. At Chipotle, they don’t even care; they just want to profit.

Tucker Smith (‘23) says, “Moe’s feels like home.” As you can see, the average person appreciates the time and effort it takes to train a Moe’s employee. Every Moe’s employee has to greet every new customer and make them feel welcomed. No matter how hard Chipotle tries, they will never be on Moe’s level. Moe’s creates a great environment that everyone can enjoy while eating great southwestern food at any time. Their care for ingredients, customers, and drinks, when all combined, create a great place to get dinner or lunch. It’s possible that the majority of people prefer Chipotle over Moe’s simply because they have either never tried Moe’s, or because their taste buds aren’t developed enough to understand the maturity that it takes to admit Moe’s is the best southwestern grill. 

READ THE COUNTERARGUMENT: Jack Barnes says Chipotle reigns supreme. 

Featured image courtesy of Moe’s.