Enough with the friggin' tomatoes already!

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » June 17, 2008, 5:18 pm

I went for a takeout burrito at lunch today. As I looked over the counter to choose what stuff I wanted in my burrito, there were no fresh tomatoes, no pico de gallo, nothing red at all. Yes, I know that 200ish people have been made sick and 30ish hospitalized by evil, evil tomatoes (allegedly), but enough is enough already. Do we really need to panic because 1 person in 1.5 million gets the runs after eating a tomato? 1 person in 10.1 million goes to the hospital? This rate is far below the normal rate of salmonella infections in the USA (1 in 7600 or so). Give me a break, and let me have some fucking tomatoes on my burrito, sandwich, salad, etc.

/tirade off

Post by **Sylvus** » June 17, 2008, 5:20 pm

How long is this supposed to last? I've seen places for over a week that haven't been serving tomatoes. Though I was somewhere with a friend since then, and they put tomatoes on her burger. I'm guessing that place just didn't care, and still had tomatoes around.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 17, 2008, 5:22 pm

It's about 50/50 here on the tomatoes (as to whether they are being served or not)... I agree though, because a couple of people in two states that are in the opposite corner of the country got sick eating tomatoes, my local Chipotle does not need to stop serving tomatoes. It's a very retarded overreaction.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » June 17, 2008, 5:35 pm

I don't like tomatoes, and since retards in restaurants tend to give them to me anyway (even when I specify to leave them the fuck off my food) this has been a boon for me!

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 17, 2008, 5:37 pm

Ashur wrote:I don't like tomatoes, and since retards in restaurants tend to give them to me anyway (even when I specify to leave them the fuck off my food) this has been a boon for me!

Don't you hate when you ask for no tomatoes ( or any other ingredient) on your food and they look at you like you've just asked them to give you the clothes they are wearing? Is it my fault you haven't amounted to anything but a waitress/chef and you don't like your job?

Almost as bad as going to chipotle and asking for lots of cheese and the dudes that pretend not to speak english pinch like a tiny bit in between their fingers and drop it on.. I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » June 17, 2008, 6:47 pm

Funkmasterr wrote:I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.

That's because you're a fucking nazi racist!

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » June 17, 2008, 6:57 pm

I half-way expected some of this board's retards to inject some sort of "nanny state blah blah blah" silliness into this, but leave it to Funk to surprise me with a heaping dose of smug asshole.

Also, WTF is up with "Is it my fault you haven't amounted to anything but a waitress/chef and you don't like your job?"

First, I think you're confusing hamburger/burger/chicken bucket assemblers with actual chefs.

Saying "confusing" might be a bit generous, considering that the truth is probably closer to "too fucking stupid to distinguish between" than anything else.

Secondly, an actual chef probably has more education, more training and more commitment to that profession than many of the careers you probably consider to be better.

I broke this up into super tiny "paragraphs" because I know his short attention span prevents him from reading paragraphs longer than a sentence, and I wanted his retarded ass to actually see what I said.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 17, 2008, 7:05 pm

Meh, no big loss. However, I would like a couple tomatoes to make habanero sauce.

Odd though, I was at a place downtown (upscale brewery style place) and they put tomato on the burger. I usually take them off, due to annoying sogginess that may ensue. They did, however, put the mayo on. I was not happy about that.

I DO NOT WANT CHEESE NOR MAYO ON MY HAMBURGER KTHX, fucking nazis.

cadalano · Post by **cadalano** » June 17, 2008, 7:27 pm

I went to Olive Garden for my girlfriend's mother's birthday on Friday night. I ordered the shrimp cappellino or some shit pasta which looked good on the menu but was basically grease & garlic butter soup with some noodles and shrimp stuck in there.

anyway, they insisted on holding the tomatoes off to protect me from the Salmonella but, as irony would have it, something else in there turned my gastrointestinals into a war-time liquid shit factory for the next three days.

actually now that i'm writing this it doesnt sound ironic.. In the middle of a Salmonella scare I order shrimp and garlic butter pasta??? Was I daring nature to make me shit grease for the next 3-7 days SALMONELLA OR NOT??? i think subliminally there was a bit of that happening

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 17, 2008, 7:52 pm

Well, you went to Olive Garden man! Did you expect something other than shitting blood for the better part of a week?

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 17, 2008, 7:57 pm

I rarely eat tomatoes unless they are cooked in some way. Pico de gallo is probably the only exception, but I am picky about where I will eat it. Salsa is different.

I have no problem with the 'no tomatoes,' because, as mentioned above, this is the only chance I have had to order something without them and actually get my order without them 100% of the time!

Also, I would rather have them track down where the bad tomatoes came from and lessen restrictions based on where they were shipped, than have them allowed everywhere but the locale where people have already been sick. It's like saying "we have an outbreak being spread by a monkey flinging poo in people's faces, and we have blocked off the area in which the poo was flung...but we have no clue where said monkey is now."

Truant · Post by **Truant** » June 17, 2008, 9:11 pm

Restaurants aren't having tomatoes because it's a liability. If it's public knowledge that there is a food poisoning issue with tomatoes right now, and you serve tomatoes...Someone gets sick, sues you, and you're proper fucked.

Everyone has to cover their own ass because everyone will sue you at the drop of a hat.

We don't have tomatoes for salads and sandwhiches at the store until it gets cleared up. People bitch at me because of it all day, but all i can tell them is "I'm sorry, until it gets cleared up we won't have any fresh tomatoes." Personally, I wouldn't serve them something I thought was going to make them sick anyways, I just can't do that. Add into that the liability issues I mentioned above, and I'm sure as shit not going to serve them.

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » June 17, 2008, 9:30 pm

Truant wrote:Everyone has to cover their own ass because everyone will sue you at the drop of a hat.

Oh, I totally understand why a business would protect themselves. It's still a big, silly, over-blown panic that's a tad frustrating. My biggest annoyance isn't really with the businesses taking cautionary steps to avoid a potential liability, just the fact that "the tomato threat" is being hyped so much.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 17, 2008, 10:20 pm

Xatrei wrote:
Truant wrote:Everyone has to cover their own ass because everyone will sue you at the drop of a hat.
Oh, I totally understand why a business would protect themselves. It's still a big, silly, over-blown panic that's a tad frustrating. My biggest annoyance isn't really with the businesses taking cautionary steps to avoid a potential liability, just the fact that "the tomato threat" is being hyped so much.

It's just like the Spinach problems that were going on not too long ago...until they finally located where it was coming from and could track where it was sent. Then the other sources were cleared and spinach was served again.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 18, 2008, 1:41 am

Xatrei wrote:I half-way expected some of this board's retards to inject some sort of "nanny state blah blah blah" silliness into this, but leave it to Funk to surprise me with a heaping dose of smug asshole.

Smug asshole? It's simple, if I tell you I want something on my order, fucking do it. I don't care if you charge me more for it, make my food the way I asked (within reason of course.)

Xatrei wrote:Also, WTF is up with "Is it my fault you haven't amounted to anything but a waitress/chef and you don't like your job?"
First, I think you're confusing hamburger/burger/chicken bucket assemblers with actual chefs.

Saying "confusing" might be a bit generous, considering that the truth is probably closer to "too fucking stupid to distinguish between" than anything else.

Secondly, an actual chef probably has more education, more training and more commitment to that profession than many of the careers you probably consider to be better.

I was specifically talking about Chipotle in my statement, in case you didn't read it the 3 or 4 times I typed it. I shouldn't have to spell it out this much to begin with but I will since you are obviously like aslanna and need everything spelled out for you.

I don't like the attitudes of a good majority of people working low paying jobs, it's like they carry a chip on their shoulder because they are working at Chipotle, like I'm supposed to give a fuck that they didn't apply themselves in life...

It would be a totally different situation if I went to a 5 star restaurant and asked them to alter the order, real chefs take some pride in how they assemble their dishes and they are meant to be eaten that way, and I'm cool with that. But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.

I also expect that when I go to Chipotle, which may sell "mexican" food, but is an American chain, with american recipes, founded, owned, and operated by english speaking americans, that I can go into the place and ask for extra cheese, and the guy making my fucking burrito will understand that I said extra cheese and not just "cheese". If you think that is being unreasonable or smug you are delusional.

Back on topic, the fact that people have to stop serving tomatoes country wide because people are so sue happy is sickening.

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » June 18, 2008, 2:00 am

Funkmasterr wrote:I was specifically talking about Chipotle in my statement, in case you didn't read it the 3 or 4 times I typed it. I shouldn't have to spell it out this much to begin with but I will since you are obviously like aslanna and need everything spelled out for you.

I understood exactly what you said, and as I suspected, you don't know the difference between a chef and the minimum wage workers that assemble your burgers and burritos.

Funkmasterr wrote:...But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.

Setting aside the fact that you again confuse cooks with chefs, could you direct my attention to where I said this? The cooks in the kitchens of nearly every chain restaurant are just cooks, not chefs as you insist on calling them. They don't create, and most don't have any advanced training beyond their station. When I used the phrase "actual chefs" I was referring to proper, talented chefs that are in charge of developing the menus and recipes that their kitchen prepares. While I didn't spell that out for you, I certainly didn't include the guys putting together your bottomless pasta bowl at the Olive Garden.

Funkmasterr wrote:If you think that is being unreasonable or smug you are delusional.

No, I think that you being so dismissive of hardworking people that do jobs that you or I wouldn't want to do is what's unreasonable and smug. Asshole.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 18, 2008, 2:12 am

Xatrei wrote:
Funkmasterr wrote:I was specifically talking about Chipotle in my statement, in case you didn't read it the 3 or 4 times I typed it. I shouldn't have to spell it out this much to begin with but I will since you are obviously like aslanna and need everything spelled out for you.
I understood exactly what you said, and as I suspected, you don't know the difference between a chef and the minimum wage workers that assemble your burgers and burritos.

Funkmasterr wrote:...But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.
Setting aside the fact that you again confuse cooks with chefs, could you direct my attention to where I said this? The cooks in the kitchens of nearly every chain restaurant are just cooks, not chefs as you insist on calling them. They don't create, and most don't have any advanced training beyond their station. When I used the phrase "actual chefs" I was referring to proper, talented chefs that are in charge of developing the menus and recipes that their kitchen prepares. While I didn't spell that out for you, I certainly didn't include the guys putting together your bottomless pasta bowl at the Olive Garden.

Funkmasterr wrote:If you think that is being unreasonable or smug you are delusional.
No, I think that you being so dismissive of hardworking people that do jobs that you or I wouldn't want to do is what's unreasonable and smug. Asshole.

Apparently you are dumber than I thought because your first two comments are precisely the point I made in my last post. I know the difference between a cook and a chef as I pointed out, excuse me for using a wrong word when I'm drunk and tired. My misuse of one word doesn't change the fact that I am right, and you're an idiot.

Dismissive of hard working people? If they were so great I wouldn't have to repeat myself once, let alone 5 times when I'm ordering. I detest repeating myself.

P.S. Idiots like you need to quit throwing around the bullshit "they do work you and I wouldn't do" nonsense. People were doing those jobs before the Mexicans, and if the Mexicans were gone someone else would take over those jobs.

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » June 18, 2008, 2:33 am

On the radio today, they reminded people that if you grow your own tomatoes, they would be ok to eat.

Who the fuck couldn't figure this out on their own?!?

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 18, 2008, 2:41 am

Fairweather Pure wrote:On the radio today, they reminded people that if you grow your own tomatoes, they would be ok to eat.

Who the fuck couldn't figure this out on their own?!?

That is pretty damn bad.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » June 18, 2008, 5:17 am

Most of the non-corporate restaurants around here have bought locally grown tomatoes. I haven't been really affected since I loathe the tasteless mushy things that are sold as tomatoes for the mass market. Then again I have a 100 foot row of 70ish heirloom varieties and greenhouses to grow them in the winter.

Bagar- · Post by **Bagar-** » June 18, 2008, 5:54 am

It would be a totally different situation if I went to a 5 star restaurant and asked them to alter the order, real chefs take some pride in how they assemble their dishes and they are meant to be eaten that way, and I'm cool with that. But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.

Hey fuckface, you just pointed out your own flaw in logic. These assholes (the five-star chefs, for clairification) give a shit because they get paid. Fuckers at Chipotle get minimum wage, why the fuck do they care about your order you self-important dicksock?

You're so high and mighty like you've never worked a crap job in your life, but i'm betting you scored some time at your local mcdonalds back in your face-spitting "gangsta thug" days. So why don't you come back down to earth you fucking piece of egomanical shit.

It's fucking logic, and if you're too dumb to figure out why they don't give a rats ass about your order, then take your faggot self to a five-star restaraunt and have THEM jerk-off into your fucking pasta. Otherwise, deal with it and stop being such a whiny prick about a group of people you obviously have no emphathy with. And please spare me the lecture about how you expect them to regard customers in the highest manner regardless of their pay, etc. etc., because you know that isn't how it works. You get what you pay for, and when you pay 7 dollars for some cheap ass food, you're going to get 7 dollar fucking service.

Zaelath · Post by **Zaelath** » June 18, 2008, 6:17 am

Funkmasterr wrote: It would be a totally different situation if I went to a 5 star restaurant and asked them to alter the order, real chefs take some pride in how they assemble their dishes and they are meant to be eaten that way, and I'm cool with that. But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.

Just to be clear... there are no chefs at the Olive Garden, they're cooks.

And in a restraunt, there's generally one chef, and multiple cooks.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 18, 2008, 11:00 am

Bagar- wrote:
It would be a totally different situation if I went to a 5 star restaurant and asked them to alter the order, real chefs take some pride in how they assemble their dishes and they are meant to be eaten that way, and I'm cool with that. But even to say that the chef at Macaroni Grill or Olive Garden is some great talent makes you look dumb.
Hey fuckface, you just pointed out your own flaw in logic. These assholes (the five-star chefs, for clairification) give a shit because they get paid. Fuckers at Chipotle get minimum wage, why the fuck do they care about your order you self-important dicksock?

You're so high and mighty like you've never worked a crap job in your life, but i'm betting you scored some time at your local mcdonalds back in your face-spitting "gangsta thug" days. So why don't you come back down to earth you fucking piece of egomanical shit.

It's fucking logic, and if you're too dumb to figure out why they don't give a rats ass about your order, then take your faggot self to a five-star restaraunt and have THEM jerk-off into your fucking pasta. Otherwise, deal with it and stop being such a whiny prick about a group of people you obviously have no emphathy with. And please spare me the lecture about how you expect them to regard customers in the highest manner regardless of their pay, etc. etc., because you know that isn't how it works. You get what you pay for, and when you pay 7 dollars for some cheap ass food, you're going to get 7 dollar fucking service.

Sorry you feel the need to make excuses for people, I however don't. I've had a job from the time I was 14 years old, my first job was bussing tables at the Original Pancake house. Before I turned 14 I worked construction with my dad beginning when I was about 8.
He instilled something in me back then that is obviously a thing of the past, a sense of responsibility and professionalism, and general work ethic.

I may not always love my job, but when dealing with customers I am always polite and attentive. That work ethic is what has got me where I am in life today, which is nothing amazing, but I have a pretty good job at a pretty decent company for someone who doesn't have a college degree. I didn't get here cause my parents have money, because my friend is a manager, because of the college I went to, because I'm a minority, anything else, I did it because I busted my ass.

Excuse me if I expect people to take their job seriously whether they like it or not.

P.S. That first job I had that I busted my ass at paid me about 4.25 an hour and almost no tips. The people at Chipotle are making nearly $10/hr.

Post by **Xouqoa** » June 18, 2008, 3:23 pm

Funkmasterr wrote:I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.

I don't want a Large Farva, I want a GOD DAMN LITER OF COLA.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 18, 2008, 3:24 pm

Xouqoa wrote:
Funkmasterr wrote:I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.
I don't want a Large Farva, I want a GOD DAMN LITER OF COLA.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » June 18, 2008, 7:19 pm

Funkmasterr wrote:Almost as bad as going to chipotle and asking for lots of cheese and the dudes that pretend not to speak english pinch like a tiny bit in between their fingers and drop it on.. I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.

YES! This same thing happens to me. It usually ends with me telling him to put 4 or 5 loads of cheese since they want to be smart asses about it. I don't ask for your shitty beans or sour cream but I expect those to be replaced by more cheese. However, when the 1 out of 8 tries they actually comply I leave them a good tip. This logic is flawed because I think that they will learn when the see me do it.

Mak · Post by **Mak** » June 19, 2008, 12:16 am

Xatrei wrote:Yes, I know that 200ish people have been made sick and 30ish hospitalized by evil, evil tomatoes (allegedly), but enough is enough already. Do we really need to panic because 1 person in 1.5 million gets the runs after eating a tomato? 1 person in 10.1 million goes to the hospital? This rate is far below the normal rate of salmonella infections in the USA (1 in 7600 or so).

The obvious response is that the numbers could be much higher if they hadn't pulled the suspected product. What is your acceptable rate of exposure before it's ok to pull them?

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 12:43 am

Zamtuk wrote:
Funkmasterr wrote:Almost as bad as going to chipotle and asking for lots of cheese and the dudes that pretend not to speak english pinch like a tiny bit in between their fingers and drop it on.. I picture myself flying over the counter and choking said mexican.
YES! This same thing happens to me. It usually ends with me telling him to put 4 or 5 loads of cheese since they want to be smart asses about it. I don't ask for your shitty beans or sour cream but I expect those to be replaced by more cheese. However, when the 1 out of 8 tries they actually comply I leave them a good tip. This logic is flawed because I think that they will learn when the see me do it.

Thank you, I knew I wasn't alone on that one. I also tip if they actually make it the way I ask without me saying it 40 times, but that is happening less and less often.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 19, 2008, 2:28 am

I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain. Of course, Baja Fresh just isn't very interesting--so bland!

I prefer a nice carnitas, beans and rice burrito from Arturo, the guy that operates the taco truck that come by work everyday. I prefer my Mexican foods prepared by Mexicans. I gave him and his wife my meatballs and BBQ sauce recipes in exchange for habanero sauce recipe. A fair trade, imo. However, I cannot make the sauce until I have.....

UNTAINTED TOMATOES!

masteen · Post by **masteen** » June 19, 2008, 3:19 am

I haven't eaten many tomatoes since my grandfather died 12 years ago and took his mad gardening skills with him. Dude used to grow the best carrots, tomatoes, and beets every year. Nothing better than vegetables that have gone directly from the ground to my mouth with only a brief stop at the hose to get the dirt off them.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » June 19, 2008, 5:08 am

Funkmasterr wrote:Thank you, I knew I wasn't alone on that one. I also tip if they actually make it the way I ask without me saying it 40 times, but that is happening less and less often.

Ironically enough I went in there this evening for dinner and they made it perfectly. The standard 3 dollar tip on the 7 dollar bill was given.

Bagar- · Post by **Bagar-** » June 19, 2008, 8:00 am

masteen wrote:I haven't eaten many tomatoes since my grandfather died 12 years ago and took his mad gardening skills with him. Dude used to grow the best carrots, tomatoes, and beets every year. Nothing better than vegetables that have gone directly from the ground to my mouth with only a brief stop at the hose to get the dirt off them.

Honestly, I can barely even taste the chemicles...

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » June 19, 2008, 9:05 am

Canelek wrote:I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain.

McDonalds sold their remaining interest in Chipotle back in 2006. I still can't stand the place compared to my options around here.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » June 19, 2008, 10:40 am

Canelek wrote:I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain. Of course, Baja Fresh just isn't very interesting--so bland!!

I like Qdoba, more so than Chipotle, and both more than Baja Fresh.

I had a Chipotle burrito last night because my wife called me before I got home to tell me her and my daughter were having tomato soup, knowing that I despise tomatoes, and while I got mine without, they DID have them.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 11:17 am

Canelek wrote:I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain. Of course, Baja Fresh just isn't very interesting--so bland!

I prefer a nice carnitas, beans and rice burrito from Arturo, the guy that operates the taco truck that come by work everyday. I prefer my Mexican foods prepared by Mexicans. I gave him and his wife my meatballs and BBQ sauce recipes in exchange for habanero sauce recipe. A fair trade, imo. However, I cannot make the sauce until I have.....

UNTAINTED TOMATOES!

Nonsense!

Qdoba is alright, but they are like twice as expensive as Chipotle and I don't know if it's worth that much. There is a place around here called Salsaritas that is actually pretty good. I don't know about Baja Fresh, but there is a Baja Sol chain around here that is just like you said, very bland

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » June 19, 2008, 11:57 am

Canelek wrote:I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain. Of course, Baja Fresh just isn't very interesting--so bland!

McDonalds has not actually owned any of Chipotle since 2006. I like chipotle more than Qdoba, but I have not eaten at a Qdoba in years, so maybe my opinion would be different now. The interesting thing about Chipotle is that they used all natural chicken/beef/pork raised on a vegetarian diet, without antibiotics.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 12:02 pm

Aardor wrote:
Canelek wrote:I dunno, I just think yall are asking quite a bit from a chain that is owned by McDonalds. Not that the food is bad or anything--they are actually pretty decent, behind the Qdoba chain. Of course, Baja Fresh just isn't very interesting--so bland!
McDonalds has not actually owned any of Chipotle since 2006. I like chipotle more than Qdoba, but I have not eaten at a Qdoba in years, so maybe my opinion would be different now. The interesting thing about Chipotle is that they used all natural chicken/beef/pork raised on a vegetarian diet, without antibiotics.

I think that is a big plus for them. The one thing I like about Qdoba though is that you can get nacho cheese in your burrito. MMMMMMMM!

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » June 19, 2008, 12:11 pm

All this talk of Chipotle caused me to order a Quesedilla Burger from Applebees for lunch. I think I set myself up for disappointment.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » June 19, 2008, 12:12 pm

I don't see the point of tipping at places like Qdoba. It's not like they are providing an extra service. They're not bringing me a drink.. They're not bringing me my food.. They're just making what I ordered. Especially with the price being on the high side to begin with. I mean yeah it's a big burrito but I'm not sure it's $5 big.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 12:16 pm

Aslanna wrote:I don't see the point of tipping at places like Qdoba. It's not like they are providing an extra service. They're not bringing me a drink.. They're not bringing me my food.. They're just making what I ordered. Especially with the price being on the high side to begin with. I mean yeah it's a big burrito but I'm not sure it's $5 big.

Are you crazy? Think of what you get, and think of what other food you can buy with $5.. Maybe a value meal from BK/McDonalds? I think the value is well worth it.

Post by **Sylvus** » June 19, 2008, 12:19 pm

But you don't tip at McDonald's/BK. I'm not against tipping at a place that has a tip jar or whatever, but why do some places have it and others do not?

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 12:22 pm

Sylvus wrote:But you don't tip at McDonald's/BK. I'm not against tipping at a place that has a tip jar or whatever, but why do some places have it and others do not?

That is kind of a good question. As to the tipping thing - I think it's stupid for them to expect it, but why the hell not try I guess, right? Like I said before, I get so frustrated sometimes when I can't get them to make my order the way I want that when they do get it right, I show my appreciation.

I don't tip at McDonals for a couple of reasons, the first being that I maybe eat there once a year, the second being when I order a burger and fries, I shouldn't have to tip you because you actually gave me a burger and fries.. I don't ask for extra cheese or pickles or anything like that so it's simple.

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » June 19, 2008, 12:26 pm

Sylvus wrote:But you don't tip at McDonald's/BK. I'm not against tipping at a place that has a tip jar or whatever, but why do some places have it and others do not?

Don't think Funk was saying anything about tipping/not tipping. I think he was saying that $5 for the Burrito you get at Qdoba has very good value, especially compared to fast food.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » June 19, 2008, 12:39 pm

Qdoba is similarly priced here to Chipotle and we get discount for our employer that gives us a drink and any burrito for like $6.00. So it's more expensive for me to eat at Chipotle. (Steak Queso Burrito + Iced Tea = $6.00, mmmmm)

Additionally, they have the Q-Card where for every ten you buy you get one free, along with random other freebies on occasion.

I don't tip at those places either. The food is reasonably priced, but all they are doing is assembling it (making sure my order is correct). They aren't refilling my drink or providing a service I deem tip-worthy (and as I've mentioned, I've worked for tips before and I'm not against tipping). Just because someone puts up a jar labeled "Tips" and seeds it with a few bucks doesn't mean I'm going to pay into it.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » June 19, 2008, 1:11 pm

Didn't realize they are not owned by the fucking clown anymore. Not as though that ever discouraged me from eating there.

The main difference I find between Qdoba and Chipopopple is that I enjoy the rice and salsa more from Qdoba. Chipotle fucking chipopoltlizes the crap out of their "hot" salsa, making it virtually inedible. Their "medium" salsa is ok though, taste wise.

Also, I am sorta offended that the only hotsauces they offer are Tobasco brand, which is pretty much bottled ass. Once again, not a deterrent, just a bit goofy to have tobasco anywhere near a burrito, imo.

Qdoba has a pretty good tomatillo-habanero salsa which is pretty fucking yum, even though it murders my stomach. Hmmm, I want a burrito for lunch now.

As far as tipping, I agree with most. This is assembly line food with no added service. I think I tip randomly here, but don't see it as a requirement and have no issue with people not tipping here. I just seem to tip a lot anyway, but that is me.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » June 19, 2008, 2:08 pm

Qdoba has a pretty good tomatillo-habanero salsa which is pretty fucking yum

Indeed!

Xatrei · Post by **Xatrei** » June 19, 2008, 2:21 pm

Mak wrote:The obvious response is that the numbers could be much higher if they hadn't pulled the suspected product. What is your acceptable rate of exposure before it's ok to pull them?

Yeah, I wasn't being 100% serious about all of this. Like I said later in the thread, I understand the caution, but it's still frustrating not being able to get a little pico de gallo for the ol' burrito.

I've never been to any of the Chipotle or Qdoba shops around here because I prefer Moe's Southwest Grill, and they're more convenient. They own most of the take-out burrito business in town, having established themselves first. There used to be several Maui Tacos around town that I liked better than Moe's (<3 their fish tacos and veggie burrito with potatoes), but once Moe's started expanding into the area, Maui got pushed out. Maybe I'll try them now that I see some of the comments about Chipotle and Qdoba.

When it comes to tips, I'm a pretty generous tipper at a normal restaurant, but I refuse to tip at takeout places like a Moe's, Starbucks or a burger joint. If I'm getting takeout from a full service restaurant that uses one of the wait staff or the bartender to handle takeout, I'll usually tip them something.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » June 19, 2008, 5:16 pm

A) If you're preparing food to order (e.g. Subway, Moe's, Chipotle, etc) then do it how the customer is telling you to do it. I don't care if you're making minimum wage or not, it's your job. If you aren't happy with it, or don't have the ability to do it, go somewhere else.

B) If you're not leaving your station for the purposes of me getting my food, I'm not tipping you. You're getting paid right where you're at. If you're serving my food to a table or delivering to my house, then you're probably not getting a normal hourly wage, and you're living off of those tips. You're going to get tipped, and assuming you didn't fuck something up, you're likely going to get tipped well (20-25% - more if you're driving).

I may not go to Burger King for gourmet food, but that's not because they're paid minimum wage, it's because it's a fast food restaurant. You should do a good job at your job, regardless of what you're paid. If you don't like the job, move along. I'm sick of hearing people give excuses for other people because they're not making high wages. How much do you think the illegals are getting paid to bus the tables at the fancy restaurants? I'm going to guess minimum wage or less.

I prefer Moe's Southwest Grill

Moe's >>> Chipotle

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » June 19, 2008, 5:45 pm

Siji wrote:A) If you're preparing food to order (e.g. Subway, Moe's, Chipotle, etc) then do it how the customer is telling you to do it. I don't care if you're making minimum wage or not, it's your job. If you aren't happy with it, or don't have the ability to do it, go somewhere else.

B) If you're not leaving your station for the purposes of me getting my food, I'm not tipping you. You're getting paid right where you're at. If you're serving my food to a table or delivering to my house, then you're probably not getting a normal hourly wage, and you're living off of those tips. You're going to get tipped, and assuming you didn't fuck something up, you're likely going to get tipped well (20-25% - more if you're driving).

I may not go to Burger King for gourmet food, but that's not because they're paid minimum wage, it's because it's a fast food restaurant. You should do a good job at your job, regardless of what you're paid. If you don't like the job, move along. I'm sick of hearing people give excuses for other people because they're not making high wages. How much do you think the illegals are getting paid to bus the tables at the fancy restaurants? I'm going to guess minimum wage or less.

I prefer Moe's Southwest Grill
Moe's >>> Chipotle

I knew if things went on long enough, I'd have to agree with you on something. Well said, sir.

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » June 19, 2008, 5:50 pm

We do not have this Moe's you speak of, so I will stick with Qdoba in most cases.