Qdoba: The Newest Sensation

By Andrew Musur on December 8, 2014

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The spicy Mexican scents can be smelt from the stairs, the aromas drawing one forward with every step. A long line of students wraps around a couple of black dividers. A three word sign hangs above a buffet styled restaurant. It reads, “Qdoba Mexican Grill,” the newest addition to the University of Illinois’ Union basement.

Qdoba is the newest restaurant chain to call the University of Illinois home. According to Qdoba’s LinkedIn page, the company has been in business since 1995, and has grown to have “more than 500 restaurants in 42 states and the District of Columbia.” The Union’s Qdoba is the latest addition to the growing number.

The Union’s Qdoba opened on Nov. 3. And almost three weeks after opening, manager Kurt Feurer said business is booming.

Feurer had mid-level expectations when Qdoba was near opening day, due to the fact that there were already so many different eating establishments in the Union basement. When asked if the popularity from the opening exceeded his expectations, he answered, “Well exceeded is a strong word.”

Qdoba uses a buffet style line to provide the customer with exactly what they want. Similar to Chipotle, customers can select what meat and toppings they want in their food. Though Chipotle and Qdoba share the same concept, Feurer thought they were extremely different.

“Well, we have a one priced menu,” Feurer said. “One price, you get absolutely anything and everything you want, we don’t charge extra for fajitas or guacamole or queso or extra guacamole or absolutely anything. Our food and our price is why students like us.”

Even Qdoba’s website takes a shot at counterpart Chipotle stating, “It’s all about countless combinations all for one price including and especially guac,” because we all know guacamole at Chipotle is always extra.

The low prices and quality food have come with some great reviews from students.

“Qdoba packs a quality flavor for really cheap. I’d highly recommend a steak burrito with steak, 3-Cheese Queso, Pico de Gallo, Salsa Roja, and Fiery Habanero Salsa, it’s pretty awesome,” said John Heaney, a senior in English.

Jason Liao, junior in Economics, said he thought Qdoba had a faster assembly line than Chipotle.

“Qdoba just offers a little more than Chipotle,” Liao said. “They have more salsa options and a well-known queso sauce. Not to mention they usually have pretty good customer service.”

Liao recommended a burrito bowl with whatever you want in it or the grilled chicken quesadilla.

Qdoba is not just unique from all Mexican restaurants, but also from all the restaurants in the Union basement.

“As far as everyone else down here, well, we have good Mexican food,” Feurer joked. Each Qdoba provides “food that celebrates Qdoba’s passion for ingredients and innovative flavors,” according to their LinkedIn page.

The good food is not the only thing that makes Qdoba stand out. They have excellent costumer service, something you do not always see nowadays. Even during our interview, the hard working Feurer noticed a customer had dropped her card, “Mam, I think you dropped your card.”

He never stops caring about Qdoba customers, an attitude he hopes he passes on to his coworkers.

Feurer recommends first time customers go out of their comfort zone and try the Mexican gumbo, which consists of a mixture of cilantro lime rice, black beans and vegetarian based tortilla soup. Customers can also add chicken or steak and anything else you’d like.

Watch out Chipotle and Maize, Qdoba may become the new king of Mexican food on campus.

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