Chipotle's New Vegan Tofu Sofritas- Quick Review

A few days after they went nationwide, I drove to found myself at Chipotle to try the new vegan option: tofu sofritas.

It's currently the featured item, described as,

"Shredded organic tofu braised with chipotle chilis, roasted poblanos, and a blend of aromatic spices.  For carnivores and vegans alike, try it on your burrito, bowl, tacos or salad."  

"Carnivores?"  Pandering much?  But, I digress.

Since I've already reviewed Chipotle, I'll just say a few words specifically about the sofritas: THEY TASTE MEATY. 

But, when I say "meaty," I mean really, really meaty.  For starters, I don't know why but I expected the tofu would have been prepared as marinated strips.  Instead, it's crumbled and possibly pan fried before being served with a slotted spoon out of a saucy bowl.  And the taste, in case I haven't been clear, is MEATY.  Also, the feel of it in your mouth is meaty.  It's been an extremely long time since I've eaten chopped meat, but I remember it vividly and this is it: veganized.  I can't even describe the actual flavor because I just couldn't get over the meatiness of it all.

Which is great!  I'm personally not into it, but I think we've already established that things can taste "meaty" (and "cheesy," and delicious, etc.) without being animal-based.  And, just to clarify: vegans aren't opposed to things tasting meaty, they're opposed to using animals- for food, material, entertainment, etc.  Not all vegans are vegan because they don't like the taste of animal products; they're vegan because it's speciesist to use animals to satisfy your own selfishness.

 

So, get your cruelty-free meaty meal on…and bring an OMNIvore (sorry, Chipotle; words do have meaning) to give it a whirl.  Apparently the self-described tofu-hating guy on Good Day NY was seriously chowing down on sofritas tacos without realizing it was tofu.  I even got my dad, who eschews all things bean-related (including- sometimes, me) to give it a try; he agreed that it tastes like chopped meat.

While I don't know how Chipotle will convince "carnivores" on a large scale to try the sofritas, if my Facebook feed is any indication, vegans are flocking to do so.  The more mainstream vegan options the better.

If you're looking, you'll now find the sofritas listed as a permanent option on the Chipotle menu: marked with a "V."  It's the same price as the original "veggie" option (beans/no meat), but guacamole isn't included with the sofritas.

UPDATE 3/17/14: yes; these are New Jersey prices (what else are ya gonna eat in Jerz?)

See what you think; I'd be interested to hear it.

Smackdown: Chipotle vs. Qdoba

I love Mexican food.  When I can't make it myself, I have no problem hitting up casual-dining (a step above fast food), vegan-friendly establishments: usually Chipotle.  Since a Qdoba recently opened near my office I've had the opportunity to try them a few times now to compare.  So, I decided to pit them against each other in a Mexi(can)-Cas(ual) smackdown.

Chipotle soft tacos

Name:
Admit it, Chipotle is an awkward word whether you're referring to the restaurant or the pepper.  But then you kind of get to like saying it.  Kind of like salsa in the 90's.  Qdoba, on the other hand...is it Q doba, or kadoba?  Note: It's Q doba.  Also, what is the reference?  Chipotle is spice, Qdoba is...adobea with a Q thrown in?
Point Name: Chipotle

Originality:
I have a special affinity for Chipotle because they are an original, with Qdoba jumping on the bandwagon not long after (with others following suit).
Point Originality: Chipotle.

Chipotle cups

Menu:
Chipotle's menu is refreshingly simple, while Qdoba's is unnecessarily convoluted for pretty much the same result.  Get over yourself, Qdoba.
Point Menu: Chipotle.

Chipotle hard tacos

Availability:
Maybe it's just because I'm in the Northeast, but there are far more Chipotles around than Qdobas.  Except, of course, for the Qdobas that open right across the street from Chipotles (see "Originality").
Point Availability: Chipotle.

Presentation:
In quantity, the available options seem more plentiful at Qdoba, but that's just because they have two identical sections going at the same time.  Regardless, the choices at Chipotle are always presented much more neatly and therefore look more appetizing.  Chipotle also always seems much better staffed, with employees working at a constant pace like a well-oiled machine.  At Qdoba it's been my experience that they are short-staffed, messy, and overwhelmed- even during slow periods.  Barring a few missteps, Chipotle's finished dishes are consistently neat.  Qdoba, on the other hand, still can't even seem to get the burrito rolling down pat.  Who wants to eat their burrito with a knife and fork?
Point Presentation: Chipotle.

Qdoba burrito, poorly folded

Rice:
A few years ago I tried Qdoba for the first time and found the nasty fresh cilantro taste way too much for me to bear. It seemed to be most highly concentrated in the rice and I vowed never to return.  I believe that they have since dialed it down considerably, as I don't taste a significant difference between theirs and Chipotle's.  Unfortunately, though, Qdoba over-rices as much as Subway over-lettuces.  As if they weren't already ahead, Chipotle has recently added a brown rice option.
Point Rice: Chipotle.

Beans:
Black beans have always been the only bean option suitable for vegetarians at Chipotle and I've found them consistently forthcoming with this information once you order "vegetarian".  Both black and pinto beans are vegetarian at Qdoba, but I've never tried the pinto (Team Black Beans!).  I don't notice any difference in the preparation or taste anything different between the black option at both establishments.
Point Beans: tie.

Basic Ingredients:
At Chipotle the vegetarian option comes with black beans and rice, as well as peppers and onions if you'd like.  Imagine my surprise to find that at Qdoba, the vegetarian burrito does not come with veggies of any kind.  The grilled veggie burrito, however, does come with grilled zucchini, squash, and red peppers...but no beans.  Is there some rule in Qdobaland that beans and veggies cannot co-mingle?  Whatever the reason, it's kind of chintzy, but I'll note that for $0.69 I'd recommend abandoning your principle and adding the peppers and onions.  Point Basic: Chipotle.

Chipotle soft tacos

Guacamole: 
Chipotle offers complimentary guacamole on all vegetarian entrees and it's always ridiculously fresh.  My pet peeve at Chipotle, though, is that every time you order guacamole as a topping, they scoop some up in a metal spoon, use a plastic knife to portion it onto your food, and then throw the knife away.  Every time, for each person.  At Qdoba, guacamole is only included in some vegetarian entrees.  So tacky!  Why you gotta nickel and dime the veggie customers, Qdoba?  On the bright side, they use a small ice cream scoop to serve.  However environmentally friendly, though, it's also stingy and prevents achieving an even layer of guacamole on your entree; it's all concentrated in two bites!  If fresh, Qdoba's guacamole actually tastes slightly better, but that might just be because I can't stomach Chipotle's ridiculous waste of plastic utensils.  Unfortunately, more often than not, Qdoba's guac is browning or brown; don't be too shy to request a new batch.
Point Guac: Chipotle.

Qdoba hard tacos: barely filled (I requested the new batch of guac)

Spice:
I am usually a fan of Chipotle's thick, tomatillo red-chili hot salsa, but of late I've gotten a couple of batches that don't taste much spicier than tomato puree; are we upping the wuss level because customers can't take the heat?  Granted my spice tolerance seems to increase by the hour, but this is a major disappointment.  When it's good it's good; when it's bad it's bland.  However, I will say that they'll give you as much as you want- on your entree and/or on the side.  Qdoba's fiery habanero salsa seems like it could be superior in taste and heat, but even with a double serving you can barely taste it amidst the pound of rice.  And why do they make you confirm that you really want it?  It's not that hot.  I think it's just another excuse to be stingy.  Chipotle's available table-side hot sauce is Tabasco: a little old school for me.  Qdoba's hot sauce of choice is Cholula- not my favorite, but a step up from Tabasco.  Still...Point Spice: Chipotle.

Chipotle soft tacos

Accoutrements:
At Chipotle I get the same every time: fresh tomato salsa, roasted chili-corn salsa, tomatillo red-chili salsa, guacamole, and lettuce.  While Qdoba's options seem more plentiful, they're basically the same idea, only some cost extra.  The flavors at Chipotle remain superior.
Point Accoutrements: Chipotle

Accountability:
While I don't buy into the humane myth, I do believe that Chipotle makes a considerable effort to minimize animal suffering, utilizes significantly higher quality ingredients than Qdoba, as well as attempts to educate the  general public about 21st century farming.  Point Accountability: Chipotle.

So there you have it.