The already high density of Mexican grills in the State Street and campus area will increase Sunday with the opening of Chipotle.

Pronounced Chi-POAT-lay, the Mexican grill will join State Street Mexican stalwarts such as La Bamba’s, Qdoba, and Taco Bell, and will be located at 658 State St.

“We’re trying to take quick-service restaurants to a new level,” Steve Ells, Chipotle founder and CEO, said in a statement. “We call it quick-gourmet. We use very simple ingredients but elevate them to a higher level through classic cooking methods and emphasis on quality ingredients and freshness.”

Ells, 37, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America before getting rolled up in the burrito business.

Chipotle will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily.
The Chipotle chain has reached Minneapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago, while an additional Chipotle is scheduled to open later this year in Milwaukee.
University of Wisconsin student Sam Seiden said he has grown accustomed to Qdoba’s cuisine but is willing to give Chipotle a fair shake.
“I have allegiance to Qdoba,” Seiden said. “But I think I’ll give Chipotle a shot.”