Posted on 11/10/2006 11:34:05 AM PST by Froufrou
The burrito brouhaha began when Panera, one of the country's biggest bakery cafes, argued that owners of the White City Shopping Center in Shrewsbury violated a 2001 lease agreement that restricted the mall from renting to another sandwich shop. When the center signed a lease this year with Qdoba, Panera balked, saying the Mexican chain's burritos violate its sandwich exclusivity clause.
Not so, Qdoba countered, submitting affidavits from high-profile experts in the restaurant and food industry. "I know of no chef or culinary historian who would call a burrito a sandwich," Schlesinger said in his affidavit. "Indeed, the notion would be absurd to any credible chef or culinary historian."
In his ruling, Locke cited Webster's definition of a sandwich and explained that the difference comes down to two slices of bread versus one tortilla: "A sandwich is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with a choice filling of meat, rice, and beans," he wrote.
Panera spokesman Mark Crowley declined to discuss the matter or say whether the St. Louis company planned to appeal the ruling. Mitchell Roberts , manager of the franchise group that runs the Shrewsbury Panera, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Panera serves up fresh-baked artisan breads and sandwiches, while Qdoba is known for its signature burritos .
"It shows you how competitive the business is when a bakery cafe feels like it's in direct competition with a Mexican chain," said Ron Paul , president of Technomic Inc., a restaurant consulting firm in Chicago. "They're fighting for a share of the stomach.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Burritos aren't sandwiches?
Glad to have that straightened out.
Now, we need to solve that eternal argument: are tomatoes fruits or vegetables?
MGY
Both!! Genetically fruit, but cullinarially(did I make that up?) its a vegetable.
BTW, I love Qdoba chicken burritos. Massive yumminess.
Jim Brady proves that it's possible to be both.
But then again, where can you find a really good sandwick nowadays?
You don't like Subway? Personally, I'm not a burrito sort of person. It's faux Mexican, ya know?
Okay, I'll admit that was pretty over-the-top. Sorry.
Nah, I was just kidding about the original typo.
(I'm in New York. Still plenty of good delis.)
don't apologize ... I was in awe!
[chuckle] Okay, thanks.
So this is what going to Law School for three years is about?
You are bad. Now go to your room.
OK here's my burrito recipe for free:
Salt and pepper your carne asada cuts and marinate over night in fresh-squeezed lime juice with a little orange juice added.
Chop equal parts white onion, tomatoes, seeded and de-veined raw jalapeno peppers, and fresh cilantro, mix in a bowl and add some orange/lime juice. Refrigerate.
Cook up a big mess of pinto beans in a pot seasoned with ground coriander and cumin, let it simmer for a couple hours.
Char the carne asada over a bed of hot coals on the bbq.
Chop the roasted meat up on a chopping board.
Throw a large flour tortilla on a gas burner turned on high. Lay a chunk of soft white Havarti cheese on it. After ten seconds or so, transfer the tortilla-with cheese to a plate. Top it with a slotted spoonful of those beans, then add a bunch of the meat and throw in some of the fresh salsa. Wrap it up and enjoy.
Panera doesn't expect illegals from South America to eat their samiches do the?
Har! I love it.
Well when I go to Taco DelMar it's not for authentic mexican food. It's for a huge, spinach tortilla buritto, with double chicken, jalapenos, no tomato, gaucamole an sour cream, spicy salsa, and a Dr. Pepper.
When I want authentic Mexican food I get it out of the back of that panel truck that the guy drives around on my beat, selling fruit, mexican treats, and fresh and hot tamales out of a huge pot.
One can like both.
Touche!
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