If You Love Chipotle, Get to ShopHouse
When we’re on the road, we’re big fans of the food over at Chipotle Mexican Grill. It’s fast without compromising flavor, and it’s reasonably healthy. We both love the vegetarian burritos (in case you ever want to take us out for a cheap date).
When we heard that the masterminds behind Chipotle were experimenting with a new concept in Washington D.C., we couldn’t wait to try it out during our visit.
The folks who brought us Chipotle have now entered the Asian food arena with: ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen. Currently there’s one location in the uber-cool Dupont Circle area of our nation’s capital city.
As is the case with Chipotle, the menu is refreshingly slim. You can choose either a bowl or a banh mi (at budget-friendly prices). That’s it. Simple.
You order at the counter and can choose from a selection of ingredients. The bowls start with a base of rice or rice noodles along with meat (chicken, steak, meatballs) or tofu. We especially liked the choice of specialty vegetables and fell in love with the green beans, which are blistered and mixed with caramelized shallots. The bowls are rounded out with your choice of sauces (tamarind vinaigrette, green curry, red curry), garnishes and crispy toppings.
Our favorite bowl included tofu, green curry, a garnish of papaya slaw and crispy garlic.
The banh mi we had was also scrumptious. They, too, come with your choice of meat or tofu along with slaw, pickles, peanuts, chili and mayo. The best part, though, is definitely the fresh bread – perfectly soft with a bit of crunch.
No doubt about it, we’ll be back every time we’re in the D.C. area. Our only complaint is that the portions are on the small side for two foodaholics like us. Never fear – ice cream from the Shake Shack down the street (hint hint) more than made up for any remnants of hunger.
Is your mouth watering?
I’ve been a fan of Chipotle since seeing Food Inc a few years ago. Even thought I live in the land of fantastic and authentic Mexican food, I enjoy Chipotle because the food feels healthy (love a chicken burrito bowl) and I like to support the sustainable food concept. They changed the pork farming industry by insisting that farms change the way pigs are raised.
I’ve heard about ShopHouse and I’ll be eager to give it a try if it comes to our area.
We try to avoid fast food from big chains, but Chipotle won us over. They have a lot of integrity compared to others in the market.
You’ll have to give ShopHouse a try. Clearly, we were impressed. As with Chipotle, we really enjoyed the healthy-but-fast-food concept, and the flavors were incredible (again, considering it’s fast food).
I’ve been hearing about this place–thanks for the review. Hope to try it myself soon.
Hopefully it will expand!
Mmmm, that looks tasty, my mouth is watering. Too bad about the small portion size… but I guess that does leave room for other treats!
I’d be curious to hear what you – the king of food – think, Mark. And, yes, it wasn’t the worst thing in the world that we had to make our way down to Shake Shack for a concrete
The food at Chipotle Mexican Grill looks delicious.
This visit was to ShopHouse, but Chipotle is also great!
Kali and I have always said that Chipotle is really the only franchise we would ever consider getting into… but they don’t franchise! Harumph.
But anyway. Anything based on the Chipotle model (tasty + sustainable + healthy) is worth a try in my book. I’d definitely go for some ShopHouse.
Glad to hear that you enjoy them as well. We resisted Chipotle for a LONG time until, finally, a family member made us go.
Love at first burrito
My mouth is TOTALLY watering. This is a definite YUMGASM!!!!
Glad it gets the Kirsten “yumgasm” seal of approval
This sounds cool. I love Chipotle, although their menu is almost too small for my taste. If I want cheesy nachos I have to go to Qdoba!
I’ve been wondering when someone would take the Chipotle concept to Asian or Mexican food. I’ll be looking out for this place.
Yes, watch for it to pop up around the country. And, if you like spicy food, ShopHouse delivers in that department as well.
BTW – We are the ultimate nacho makers.
That menu IS wonderfully easy on the eyes!
I know… isn’t a simple menu refreshing? Unless you are eating everything off the menu at Border Grill, that it.
Oh my goodness!!! I am SO excited for this. I need to put a reminder down somewhere so I don’t forget to check this place out before I leave! I will be home in June. This is going to have to be tried. YUM!!
Can’t wait to hear what you think. And don’t forget to stop by Shake Shack (down the street) for ice cream.
This is easily the best thing I have ever heard of in my entire life. I hope they will have expanded by the time I get back from Korea!
It’ll probably be in every city by the time you get back.
I know this is about Asian food, but the second I saw Chipotle, my Mexican food cravings, which are never far from the surface, kicked in. I miss Mexican food! (Oh, and this looks really yummy too!)
Our goal in every place we visit is to find Mexican food. It’s often a disappointing endeavor.
That looks fabulous. I hope this comes to Vermont, but I’m not going to hold my breath. We don’t even have Target or Red Lobster.
What? Have you never had those cheesy biscuits from Red Lobster?
I feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t like Chipotle! If you’re ever in Vancouver, go to Red Burrito for amazing burritios.
Having said that, shophouse sounds awesome. They should make you two their spokesmen!
How dare you say you don’t like Chipotle. Roy, this could be a deal breaker
We will go to Red Burrito – thank for the tip!
Please write to ShopHouse to nominate us as spokespeople. We’ll give you a cut of the $$$.