Chipotle Mexican Grill

Reviews

• AC

  April Cook

  2 days ago
  1.0
  I don't usually leave negative reviews, but after years of being a loyal customer, I feel it's important to share my experience. I have been visiting the Birdcage location in Citrus Heights since 2015, and it was once my favorite Chipotle. Unfortunately, over the past couple of years, I have noticed a significant decline in both cleanliness and overall food quality. Because of those concerns, I had already started driving to the Madison and Hazel location instead. Today, however, I was too tired to make the extra drive, so I decided to give this location another chance. I arrived around 2:50 p.m. There was only one customer ahead of us, so it wasn't a busy time. In fact, it would have been an ideal opportunity for the staff to clean the serving line, restock ingredients, and prepare for the upcoming dinner rush. Instead, what immediately stood out was how messy the food preparation area looked. There was food scattered across the counter, several meat pans were empty with dried food residue remaining in them, and the entire serving line appeared neglected. When it was my turn to order, chicken was the only meat readily available. I ordered barbacoa, and I noticed a small container of it sitting on the back prep counter. An employee brought that container forward and emptied it into an old serving pan that still contained dried barbacoa residue before serving it. Watching that process made me very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the meal itself reflected the condition of the serving line. The rice was cold, the meat was cold, and the queso was extremely thick and appeared overcooked from sitting at the bottom of the pan for an extended period. What disappoints me most is that this location used to be one of the best in the area. It now appears to lack the attention to cleanliness, food presentation, and operational standards that customers should expect. A clean food preparation area is essential—not only for appearance but also for customer confidence in food safety. With today's prices, spending nearly $40 for two meals should come with the expectation of fresh food and a clean, well-managed restaurant. Sadly, I ended up throwing my meal away because I no longer felt comfortable eating it. It was a complete waste of money. I sincerely hope management takes these concerns seriously. This location has the potential to be excellent again, but it will require stronger leadership, better attention to cleanliness, and more consistent food quality. Until I see those improvements, I'll continue visiting other locations instead. I wish I had taken photos because they would have accurately reflected the condition of the serving line and preparation area. I am sharing this review because I genuinely hope this location returns to the high standards it once had. Long-time customers notice the difference, and I hope management does too.
• MH

  Maria Harvey

  Jul 18, 2026
  5.0
  Always sold tasty
• MS

  M Slater

  Jul 1, 2026
  5.0
  The best chipotle in town. The food is always seasoned and cooked well and the staff is sanitary.
• JS

  Jeremy Smith

  Jun 27, 2026
  5.0
  25 years in, still a great location!
• LL

  leah linstroth

  Jun 13, 2026
  1.0
  I've ordered a steak bowl with extra toppings and no beans and they left out the toppings, switched it to Chicken and added beans. i get messing up once but how can you do it 3 times in a row (genuine question, why should I pay extra for poor service?)