Vicarious Rocky

Tomorrow they're opening a Chipotle that is a 5 minute walk from my house. I love Chipotle. The food rocks, but I especially love that people think it's healthy and the tortilla alone is 340 calories w/ 9g of fat. I also love that people who don't eat McDonalds due to their "principles" will eat at Chipotle. That stainless steel decor is compelling.

So Chipotle is a shining beacon of hope for stability. It’s what politicians refer too as “business development to sustain a neighborhood and rehabilitate housing.” A few years back a business associate I know in Chicago was all jazzed that a Starbucks popped up across the street from her new high rise condo. One she’d bought but been pretty afraid to leave. She looked visibly relieved and said without sarcasm, “Now I know everything’s going to be OK.”

I remember thinking that was weird as hell, but now I get it. Desired business development in an urban area does not refer to Diane’s Spaghetti House renting the old Moose Lodge. It needs to be branded retail or dining associated with upper middle class and young people. Evidentially, that’s the poor people and thug kryptonite we yuppies are all looking for in our hip new neighborhoods.

This kind of commentary begs the question of where will those people go if they’re not welcome on Chipotle’s new stainless steel adorned patio. Well, they’ll probably go hang out at the nearby business development establishments thrown up for the 1977 neighborhood renewal project. You know, the part of town with the Big K and the dine-in Pizza Hut.

But I can’t worry about things like this tomorrow. I have to figure out how to get the lunch I want to order under 1000 calories.