Chipotle Opens With Fundraiser for Bloomingdale Band

Famous for its fresh ingredients, the newest Chipotle Mexican Grilll at 829 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, passed muster with members of the Bloomingdale High School Band.

In a pre-grand opening event, the restaurant hosted a fundraiser Monday night for the award-winning band.

"It's pretty good," said band member Taylor Denny, finishing his meal while a long line of band supporters waited outside the building to enter the new restaurant.

The new restaurant also got the thumbs up from Bloomingdale High School students Andrea Kelly, Whitney Erb and Bridgette Fongors.

"I liked it," declared Kelly of her meal.

Bloomingdale's newest restaurant officially opens Tuesday, Sept. 13, after construction crews spent two monthly completely gutting the storefront and creating the newest 2,650-square-foot Chipotle from scratch.

The new restaurant is similar to the one in Orlando and South Tampa, both of which are popular eating spots.

Chipotle Mexican Grill specializes in gourmet burritos and tacos.

The restaurant was founded by Steve Ells, who enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America and became a chef. He said the inspiration for Chipotles was the little taquerias he frequented while living San Francisco. He wanted to open a restaurant that would elevate the typical fast food. With a modest loan, he moved back to Colorado and started the first Chipotle in 1993.

Specialties at Chipotle's include burritos, the burrito bowl, soft tacos, crispy tacos and salads.

For the entire Chipotle Mexican Grill story, visit chipotle.com.