BITES NEARBY: Newly Opened Chipotle Mexican Grill

Here's a place that brags about its concept, and customers eat up every word.

is a restaurant that aims to use all "responsibly and sustainably farmed ingredients," and mentions of that are plentiful, from its website to press releases and in-store newsletter "The Gold Burrito Digest."

For example, "While 85 percent of the beef served in Chipotles throughout the U.S. is naturally and humanely raised, all of the East Coast Chipotles serve it," a grand opening news release from Katherine Newell Smith states. "These actions are informed by Chipotle's mission to change the way people think about and eat fast food."

Throughout the country, this restaurant is very popular. And at Pikesville Patch, announcements of the opening of the Pikesville store have attracted readers from throughout the country.

On opening day I found out why.

The line was still long at about 2 p.m. when I arrived, but I quickly learned to not be daunted: Getting to the front to order took only about 7 minutes, although there were 16 people ahead of me.

I ordered a burrito with my choice of fillings: cilantro-lime rice, salsa, lettuce and barbacoa—beef braised for hours, then shredded.

The newsletter announces that there are 65,535 options for combining Chipotle ingredients. "You'll need to visit twice a day for almost 90 years to try them all," it states.

With an unsweetened iced tea, lunch cost me about $10.

The burrito's tortilla was soft and not too thick, the cilantro lime rice was refreshing, and the meat was tender with no beef "surprises." I had no trouble finding a seat, even though the dining area seemed full when I first arrived.

But get a fork—you'll want the fillings that slip out.

Food

Burrito fillings choices include choice of meats—barbacoa, chicken, steak, carnitas (braised, shredded pork) or vegetarian—sour cream, four salsas, guacamole, beans, peppers and onions.

You aren't limited to ordering a burrito. You can get the fillings in the form of tacos and salads, as well.

I didn't try the tortilla chips, but people buy them up by the bag and seem very eager to get them home. Chips and guacamole is $3, and chips with salsa are $2. An order of guacamole costs $1.85.

All items have the calories clearly listed on the large menu behind the counter.

Drinks

Bottled drinks cost $2.15 or $2.45, and fountain soda is $1.55 or $1.85. Kids drinks are $1.60 or $2.15.

Kids menu

Kids can get a small cheese quesadilla for $3.05; a small meat and cheese quesadilla or one taco for $3.60, or a taco kit with choice of meat or guacamole for $4.05.

I met Pikesville's General Manager Rodis Najarro, who is a very friendly guy, but quite busy with the new store.

Overall, for lunch it's a good place to get a good, quick meal and head back to work. And other patrons say it's a good take-out option as well.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and is located at 1809 Reisterstown Road, in .