Lancaster to host first Chipotle burger joint

LANCASTER - Chipotle Mexican Grill says it will open its first burger restaurant, dubbed Tasty Made, at 732 N. Memorial Drive this fall.

The restaurant will serve burgers, fries and shakes and be housed in the former Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips building.

"Early fast-food burger restaurants generally had focused menus," Chipotle founder and co-CEO Steve Ellis said in a statement. "We think there's great strength in that original fast-food model and wanted to create a restaurant built around that. Making only burgers, fries and shakes with really great ingredients, we think we can appeal to peoples' timeless love of burgers, but in a way that is consistent with our long-term vision."

He said the company is trying to change the way people think about and eat fast food.

"At the heart of that is our commitment to great quality ingredients and classic cooking techniques," Ellis said. "Traits that are absolutely necessary to make the best tasting food, and that can be applied to a number of kinds of cuisine."

Lancaster Economic Development Director Mike Pettit said Chipotle executive David Chrisman is from Lancaster and that he worked with the city on the plan.

"But more than that, this is a testament to what we're trying to do," he said. "We're marketing the city as a business-friendly city, and things like this can only lead to more success."

Pettit said the new restaurant will use the existing Arthur Treacher's building, but it will be heavily remodeled. There also will be outdoor seating. Pettit said Tasty Made will not affect the existing Chipotle restaurant and that it will remain open.

He said there is not yet an exact date for the opening.

Like Pettit, Lancaster-Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce President Travis Markwood was happy about the news.

"This certainly puts us on the map a little better," he said.

Chipotle opened with a single restaurant in 1993 and now operates more than 2,000 restaurants.

jbarron@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron