The Davis Square Chipotle opened last fall without a liquor license. As you can see in the above, not so great picture, the beer section of the drink menu is covered up. We have been taking casual odds on when they will actually get a license. According to this article the answer is not soon, if ever.
Licensing Commission secretary Joanne Burke said each restaurant made a good case, and they all have a chance of being awarded one of the two licenses, except chain burrito restaurant Chipotle.
The burrito joint does not fit the city’s main criteria for a beer and wine license, Burke said. “They’re a large chain; they’re not a fine dining establishment,” she said.
To be considered a fine dining establishment, Chipotle would have to conform to specific regulations. It would have to be able to seat between 28 and 60, and beer and wine could be served only in conjunction with full wait service, Burke said, “on plates, with cutlery, not on paper with plastic forks.”
I’m pretty sure Chipotle isn’t going to start having full wait service with cutlery and plates anytime soon. Of course, I couldn’t care less weather or not they ever actually sell beer. Unless, it would keep them from closing down. The other week the Davis square store had a free burrito day that the other area stores didn’t have. This, coupled with the fact that they are understaffed (from standard compliment no compared to demand) pretty much all the time, and its not nearly as hard to find a seat in the tiny place than it should be makes me think that they may be in trouble at the Davis store. Luckily there are many others (six) now open in the Boston area.