Many have surmised that Chipotle burritos very well may contain crack, or some similarly addictive substance. But while Chipotle isn’t about to tell us what they put in those things to make them so irresistible, the company has gone further and refused to post the nutritional content of its undoubtedly-unhealthy menu. Have you ever wondered what they’re hiding?
Center for Science in the Public Interest, formerly discussed here for its focus on Splenda, took matters into its own hand one day, and sent some of the dishes to the lab for independent analysis. The results may be disheartening (though kind of obvious) to the chain’s die-hard fans. If ignorance is bliss when it comes to your fast-food splurges, DCFüd encourages you to stop reading here: you have been warned.
[Webmaster’s note: To be fair to the giant evil corporation that keeps us all addicted to their Burritos, Chipotle did finally start providing nutritional information in late 2003. You can view their version in the pdf document here — amg]

Read the rest of this entry »

My eating habits have been ridiculous lately. Not only have my at-home kitchen concoctions largely consisted of variations on “I can’t believe it’s just Ramen”, but the few meals I’ve eaten out have been at diners, chains, bars and (gasp!) fast food joints. Ranging from the painfully mediocre to the admittedly delicious, my experiences in slothful dining have been varied, though they all have involved fried potatoes of some variety. Here’s a roundup.
Guilty pleasure: Yeah, yeah, the savvy foodie will turn his nose up at a chain like Bennigan’s, but I completely scarfed down one of its unholy appetizers, the Bleu Cheese Chips. The thick cut potato chips were coverd with gobs of Montery Jack and Bleu Cheese melted on top. I consumed them compulsively. I’m not proud of this, but it’s a fact.
Fine, but forgettable: Hitting happy hour at Bailey’s Pub & Grill in Arlington, I was pleased with their $2.50 beers and skeptical of the menu. The bacon-and-blue burger I ordered was inoffensive, but hardly memorable. Crispy fries, though.

Read the rest of this entry »

It’s F-R-E-E!
That’s right, those spunky fools at California Tortilla are opening up another DC area location. You know what that means; free burritos! Here’s the scoop: The new Burnt Mills California Tortilla, located in the Burnt Mills Shopping Center (opposite Trader Joe’s) at 10721-A Columbia Pike in Silver Spring, is giving away a free specialty burrito and soda to those who attend their Grand Opening tomorrow, July 6, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Not only that, but the first 10 people in line at 11 a.m. get a free burrito every week for a year at the Burnt Mills California Tortilla and the next 20 get a free burrito every week for a month!
Speaking of CalTor promotions, July is free cup month. Just bring in a big ol’ plastic refillable cup from another restaurant to any California Tortilla location and they’ll exchange it for one of their much groovier 32oz. plastic cups and a free soda that day. Plus, refills are only 99¢ on any visit after that. Not as good as their free popsicle or free DC Improv promotions, but still not too shabby.
–Entry by guest writer SouperAvram.

Last Thursday afternoon, my boss came into my office with her usual order: a last-minute semi-crisis. She wanted to hold a cocktail reception the following Thursday evening, for about 35 people, in a private room at a restaurant within easy walking distance of the DSC Convention Center, that wasn

When it moved from its College Park home to its current Silver Spring location, Mandalay Restaurant garnered a great deal of attention. If you neglected to check out the Burmese Restaurant when the critics were sweeping through, give the authentic, delicious and reasonably-priced place a chance now that the chatter has died down.
Located in an unassuming spot on Bonifant Street in Silver Spring, the place is borderline empty for a weekday lunch, but hopping when Saturday night dinner comes around. Though the service can be slow, it

Not being much of a drinker, I

Not being much of a drinker, I

At the risk of mixing up our donut chains’ slogans, we at DCFud want to let you know that tomorrow is DONUT DAY over at Krispy Kreme. The chain is usually pretty generous when it comes to handing out their sweet treats when the “Hot” light is lit, but this time you can actually branch out beyond the glazed flavor. Any visitor tomorrow gets a free donut: any time of day, any flavor.
Krispy Kreme has locations scattered throughout the area, including Alexandria, Rockville, and the one right at Dupont Circle near the Metro Station. Expect lines to be long, but it could be worse – at least you’re not showing up the day of one of their infamous store openings, when people camp out the night before for a shot at a year’s supply!

Entering a chain pub and hoping for authenticity seems a bit of a fool