Chipotle Mexican Grill, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain, has announced the highly anticipated reopening of its very first restaurant in Denver, Colorado. The doors to this foundational location, situated on East Evans Avenue, are once again open to the public following a summer-long renovation. This marks a significant milestone for the brand, revisiting the place where the vision for Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant first took root under the guidance of founder, chairman, and CEO Steve Ells. It was at this very spot, in a converted Dolly Madison ice cream shop across from the University of Denver, that Ells himself served the inaugural Chipotle customers, personally preparing the fresh and flavorful food that would become the hallmark of the brand.
The inception of Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant can be traced back to Steve Ells’ post-culinary school ambitions. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, Ells drew inspiration from the vibrant taquerias he encountered in San Francisco’s Mission District during his time at the acclaimed Stars restaurant. With a modest loan from his father, he embarked on opening the first Chipotle, initially envisioning it as a means to fund a future fine dining establishment. However, the unique appeal of the chipotle mexican grill restaurant concept—fresh, delicious food crafted with classic cooking techniques but served with speed and affordability—quickly surpassed these initial plans. The immediate success led to the opening of a second Chipotle in 1995 and a third in 1996, setting the stage for the expansive growth that would follow.
Today, the chipotle mexican grill restaurant empire spans over 2,300 locations worldwide, employing a workforce exceeding 60,000 individuals. Despite this remarkable expansion, the core menu has remained remarkably consistent with its original offerings. Focusing on burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads, Chipotle has strategically introduced popular additions over the years, including vegetarian Sofritas and the highly demanded queso, which was added to the menu in response to persistent customer requests.
The recent renovation of the original Denver chipotle mexican grill restaurant on East Evans Avenue was carefully designed to enhance functionality and modernize the dining experience while preserving the location’s unique charm. A key aspect of the renovation involved expanding the previously cramped basement area. This expansion provided crucial additional space for storage and food preparation, directly contributing to the efficiency of the restaurant’s signature open kitchen design, a consistent feature across all Chipotle locations. In the dining area, updates were implemented to refresh the style of the small space, ensuring a more contemporary feel without sacrificing the original character that makes this location so special.
Reflecting on the reopening, Steve Ells shared his personal sentiments about the Evans restaurant. “The Evans restaurant will always be special to me,” he stated, emphasizing its foundational role in realizing his vision. He recalled the initial concept: “I opened that restaurant with the novel idea to show that food that was served fast didn’t have to be a typical fast food experience, and with the hope of financing a ‘real restaurant.’” Ells further noted the evolution of Chipotle, stating, “Today, Chipotle has become plenty real and we are having a significant impact on the way people eat by making delicious food, made with whole, unprocessed ingredients available and affordable to everyone. That isn’t something I could even have imagined when I opened that first restaurant 24 years ago.”
The reopening of this original chipotle mexican grill restaurant in Denver represents more than just a renovation; it symbolizes the enduring legacy of Chipotle’s commitment to changing the landscape of fast food. From its humble beginnings in Denver to its current global presence, Chipotle continues to emphasize fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients and classic cooking methods, offering a dining experience that resonates with customers seeking quality and convenience.
