Moe’s or Chipotle? Two Mexican restaurants. Two different fan bases. Both started in America. So which is better? 

   Moes opened in Atlanta, Georgia in December of the year 2000. Chipotle opened seven years before July in Denver, Colorado. Over the years, both restaurants have grown into nationwide corporations that are constantly busy. The rivals are very similar: they both are fast casual Tex-Mex style restaurants. Moes is most famous for its queso and Chipotle is most famous for its guacamole.

   Four categories will be used to determine which is better: price, quantity, variability, and taste. For the price, the two most common adult size chicken burritos with chips, salsa, guacamole, and queso will be compared. 

   For Moes, a chicken burrito with the basic toppings, free chips, and salsa, plus the queso and drink to make it a meal cost a total of $11.07 before tax. For Chipotle, a chicken burrito with the basic toppings, not free chips, not free salsa, queso, and a drink comes out to a total of $15.85 before tax. That is a difference of $4.78. Moes wins the first point.

   The Citizen Times compared the weights and prices per ounce of basic chicken burritos from 7 different restaurants including Moe’s and Chipotle. Moe’s weight came out to 17.5 ounces and a PPO (Price Per Ounce) of $0.37. Chipotle’s weight came out to 15.9 ounces with a PPO of $0.41. Although this competition could vary slightly from store to store, Moe’s won the point in this specific criterion. 

   Variability will be determined by the total number of adult entrees on the menu. Both Moe’s and Chipotle’s menu totaled up to 12 entree items. (the types of meat, toppings, etc. were not accounted for). Due to a tie in this category, neither restaurant wins the point. The final category, taste, will now be compared.

   To compare taste, I posted a poll on my Instagram story and asked which tasted better, Moe’s or Chipotle? Moe’s came out on top of the poll, in which 140 people answered in total. 95 people ended up picking Moe’s while 45 people picked Chipotle.  Moe’s takes the final point as they win the taste category.

   So which is better? Well, out of the 4 categories, Moe’s won three while the other category, quantity, ended in a tie, giving the point to neither. According to this competition, it would appear that Moe’s is the superior restaurant and can be crowned king of the fast and casual Tex-Mex style restaurant in the United States. The competition may not be perfect, but these are the two big rivals and they have now been put to the test. In the end, whether you are a Moe’s fan or a Chipotle fan, all that matters is that you enjoy your good old burrito. But Moe’s is clearly better so if you prefer Chipotle, you might want to reconsider your decision.