Walking home down University Place this evening, I spotted something that really made me stop and practically spit.
The burger bar Stand on East 12th between University and Fifth Avenue closed unceremoniously towards the latter end of 2013. Prior to it being Stand, it had been an ill-considered Asian seafood place, and -- prior to that -- a Kinko's. Thought dormant these past several months, it is now newly papered up and titled with new, illuminated signage. The space is shortly to reveal itself as (yet another) Chipotle.
Why does this upset me? Well, despite the fact that there is already a Chipotle just to the north of Union Square on Broadway and another on 8th street between Broadway and University Place, the new spot sits uncomfortably close to Dorado Tacos, Tortaria on East 12th and the long-standing El Cantinero just around the corner and down the block. What's the common thread? All these establishments already serve original and lovingly executed Mexican fare with distinctive aplomb.
We need a Chipotle here like we need another bank branch.
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