Chipotle & Jalapeno

Alejandro Tamariz has grown to appreciate his local community since opening Chipotle & Jalapeño in 2006. “Like any good relationship, we define ourselves by communication — we want to be open, respectful and interested in one another.” Nowhere does that come through more than in the lunch menu, a daily surprise for eager patrons that comes entirely from the inspirations of Alejandro and his team. “Obviously we provide options ranging from chicken, beef, pork and vegetarian items, to other accommodations for allergies, but generally it’s up to us to serve up something delicious,” he says. “And that takes a tremendous amount of trust on the part of our regulars.”

Trust and comfort are key to the feel of Chipotle & Jalapeño, with warm light often bathing the wood floors through the grand glass façade of the restaurant. “We find that willingness to trust our staff is reciprocated through the energy we put into our food,” says Alejandro. “It also liberates us to experiment through seasonal cuisine or special deals that we find, so we can use better ingredients for the same price.”