As a family, we don’t go out to eat very often. One reason (and usually the main reason) is the cost. The last time we went out to eat as a family we paid $23.13 and it was not money well spent. We could have eaten the same meal at home for a fraction of the cost, our portions would have been more than enough (instead of meager) and the quality would have been superb.
So it naturally makes sense that we also don’t go out to eat often because of the food itself. Every day there seems to be a new way to improve our diets and eat healthier, and there is usually a slight cost (whether money or time) associated with each step.
Are restaurants interested in our well-being, or their pocketbooks?
Most restaurants are looking to make a profit, but there are a few restaurants out there who are swimming upstream and against the current of unhealthy standards of processed food.
Enter: The Burrito
From the start, Chipotle has put quality first and it is one of our family’s go-to restaurants.
- Family of four for under $20? Check.
- Kid-friendly (meaning high-chairs available and spilled rice on the floor is ok)? Check.
- Good food? Check.
Chipotle prides themselves in choosing food with integrity. What exactly does that mean for us?
Meat
100% of pork & beef is naturally raised
100% of chicken is from farms that don’t use antibiotics or additives in their feed
Dairy
- 100% sour cream comes from pasture-raised cows
- 65% of cheese is produced using pasture-raised dairy (they’re working to increase this number)
- Do not use any dairy product from cows treated with rBGH
Vegetables
- 40% of beans are organically grown
- 80% of cilantro is organically grown
Non-Food Items
- 100% recycled napkins
- 93% recycled burrito bowls
- 95% recycled aluminum lids
This company is also committed to sourcing their food from local sources. The USDA defines local as within 400 miles of the point of interest, yet Chipotle takes it a step further and keep their food within 350 miles of each restaurant. In fact, more naturally raised meat and local produce is served at Chipotle than any other restaurant company in the US.
Do I sound like I’m being paid to say this?
I assure you, I’m not – we just enjoy Chipotle that much! There aren’t many restaurants that put thought behind where their food comes from and locating one is like finding a gem among a rock bed.
Many families operate on the 80/20 rule – eat real, unprocessed food 80% of the time and you can relax on the other 20%. That’s not a bad rule of thumb per se, but why stop at 80% if we can go further?
What I’m feeding my family is often on my mind. As head chef, there is thought and purpose behind my shopping and cooking. Does that same process extend to beyond my kitchen? Will the restaurants we dine at give as much thought to our health as they do their profit margins?
Here are a few things to consider when it comes to spending your hard-earned money on dining out.
- Research the restaurant, if you can. Many larger restaurants have websites. Look them up and see if they have any mission statements regarding the sourcing or quality of their food.
- Look at the menu. It’s easy to hide the quality of something underneath deep-fried golden batter. If the menu is more than 50% fried food, avoid it.
- Get opinions. Talk to your friends and family to see if anyone has eaten there and what they thought. Ask about the type of dishes, the vegetables served and portion sizes. “Typical” dishes are easy to prepare using canned and jarred ingredients, but restaurants serving unconventional dishes using in-season vegetables are likely buying fresh and making from scratch.
- Eat local. Most local restaurants don’t have the ability to get their food from anywhere other than local sources. Many local farms can’t afford the “certified organic” label, but practice traditional and sustainable farming methods because that’s what they believe in.
- Talk to the owner/manager. Owners who take pride in what they serve will gladly tell you. While you’re at it, talk to the employees. Do they eat there? Do their families eat there?
At the end of your meal, ask yourself if the bill was worth it. Are you happy to support this restaurant in their business endeavors? Do you believe in what they’re striving for? Would you be disappointed if this restaurant went out of business?
Or would it just be easier (and better) to replicate the dinner at home?
Setting the cost aside, what are your thoughts on feeding your family restaurant food?
Great post! I’m a fan of Chipotle as well. I like that they go the extra mile. I agree that for the most part, it’s cheaper and better to eat at home. But, sometimes, I just need a break and going out feels like such a treat. Or at least that’s my excuse for order a chicken parm sub from our local pizzeria last night…
I love Chipotle. Two people can EASILY split one burrito – we’ve recently gotten in the habit of checking out smaller, locally owned Mexican taco shops as well since we love Mexican food, and it’s generally much healthier than American “fried” cuisine.
Another thing we do is order water, instead of soda/beverages. Not only is it healthier, but it saves quite a bit. Some restaurants charge almost $3 for a single coke !
I didn’t know that about Chipotle! I wonder if they have a gluten free menu.
That’s our problem with fast food. We’re a family of eight, and managing to feed all those mouths, most of which are boys, can get hair-raisingly expensive. So we always (*always*) bring our own food. The only time we eat out is when the grandparents take us, which is probably about once a year or less. It’s hard to find truly gluten free foot at restaurants, so that’s plenty often. 
I hate eating out when I feel I “have” to eat out because we are on the run and need to eat. We like Culver’s. It does taste good and they have good service and are reasonably priced,but a bit fattening so we don’t do it too much. Once or twice a month at the most. Love Chik fila(is that how you spell it?),but we don’t have one around here so have only gone when we have been traveling,but their food is awesome and the lemonade is actually made with real lemons! Their service is awesome! I like what they stand for too. Otherwise I would really rather find a nice sit down restaurant and eat out once a month at some place that has fresh produce,no hormones in meats,treat you well kinda place that makes me feel a bit pampered since some days I feel like I live in the kitchen. I could care less if a place recycles,but love it when they serve me healthy yummy real(not genetically modified) food!
The mention of Chik-Fil-A makes me reminisce of their sweet tea in college… We would rather do a quality sit down over fast food too. The pampering is WONDERFUL!
Love Chipotle, also love Moe’s. Moe’s has the same meat standards and organic veggies as Chipotle. The only difference that I have ever noticed is Moe’s rice is lightly seasoned, maybe just a little salt & pepper, but Chipotle has a lemon pepper type seasoning on their rice, gives it an extra zing.
@Dolly – both Chipotle & Moe’s have gluten free options and large servings. A burrito for me is two meals but my boys, oldest is 6′ 4″ & built like a tank and the others are working hard to catch up, finish theirs in one sitting and then top it off with a couple handfuls of freshly made tortilla chips, making sure to sample all the choices on the salsa bar. A burrito or bowl is $5 to $8 depending on what extra stuff you add. It does total up to about $60 when we eat at Moe’s as a family, but every now and then it’s a nice treat. And I have the additional benefit of supporting a company that understands what quality ingredients really means.
I haven’t been to Moe’s before, but there’s one in the Las Vegas airport. I’m sure I can convince Mr. Crumbs to stop the next time we have a layover there.
I love your last sentence – if we don’t support the companies who DO care, they’ll go under and we’ll be left with the ones that don’t.