Three words sum up this Chopt location in FiDi: Fast, slow and confusing.
Fast because you can tell everyone behind the counter is trying to get you in and out ASAP. From the moment you finally get the chance to order your salad, till you reach the end of the assembly line cashier, Chopt employees are sweating, practically running in place, and yelling at the top of their lungs all to get you one of your favorite salads–the amazing Chicken Tinga or the decadent fried-chicken-laced Chopt Po'Boy–in record time.
But the old adage "Haste makes waste" applies here, as the goal of "record time" is rarely met during the lunch rush. Waiting in a long line is a reality. A bunch of loud, navy blue suits and you with your red, flower-stitched scarf and turquoise earrings, quietly rebelling against the system (even though you're eating at a salad franchise). When you reach the counter, you'll realize the frenzy that's become the status quo at Chopt. And the curious way the line moves at a decent rate, but gets slower and slower with every step closer to the counter.
You order your salad and realize that the whole system of four and five "chopping" lines is, simply put, confusing. You will often hear a chopper calling out the name of a salad, hoping that someone hasn't found the intense process of ordering lunch from here too much and skipped out on the bill (and the food). Usually they find who the salad belongs to standing in a different chopping line.
You will often see pre-chopped salads in bowls waiting to be chopped and frustrated and overwhelmed patrons like me, waiting for the promised land: the moment I get my salad, rush to the cashier, pay and leave.
This place has potential. I don't really like the structure of the line feels like you're standing in the same place for forever (which just might be true). However, my salad was delicious. Although they didn't have avocado :-/. The staff is what makes it great as they're so ready to work and so hospitable. It's new so I'll need to give an updated review when I go back. I just hope by that time everyone hasn't found out about this secret spot and I actually wound up on the line for hours.
Is it possible that no one knows about this location yet!? I've been here a few times since it opened last month and it hasn't been crowded!
A few reasons why you should get on over there for lunch:
Staff is super nice. As they put together the ingredients of my most recent salad I noticed I didn't get much chicken. The gal behind the counter was more than happy to add a few extra pieces and did so with a big smile.
They move quickly but smoothly. Even though they've just opened it seems like they've been working together for much longer. The whole operation ran very smoothly.
Salad was delish. Love the fresh ingredients and dressings.
Huge space with lots of tables. Actually a lot larger than some of its other locations. Whereas the Chipotle next door (yelp.com/biz/chipotle-ne…) isn't great for a lunching w/ a bunch of coworkers – this Chop't is great for that.
Instead of a soda machine they've got what looks like a freshly made flavored ice tea machine set up. Yum!
If you work in the Financial District and don't mind an extra walk then they this new location. Best salads/options in the neighborhood!
Three words sum up this Chopt location in FiDi:
Fast, slow and confusing.
Fast because you can tell everyone behind the counter is trying to get you in and out ASAP. From the moment you finally get the chance to order your salad, till you reach the end of the assembly line cashier, Chopt employees are sweating, practically running in place, and yelling at the top of their lungs all to get you one of your favorite salads–the amazing Chicken Tinga or the decadent fried-chicken-laced Chopt Po'Boy–in record time.
But the old adage "Haste makes waste" applies here, as the goal of "record time" is rarely met during the lunch rush. Waiting in a long line is a reality. A bunch of loud, navy blue suits and you with your red, flower-stitched scarf and turquoise earrings, quietly rebelling against the system (even though you're eating at a salad franchise). When you reach the counter, you'll realize the frenzy that's become the status quo at Chopt. And the curious way the line moves at a decent rate, but gets slower and slower with every step closer to the counter.
You order your salad and realize that the whole system of four and five "chopping" lines is, simply put, confusing. You will often hear a chopper calling out the name of a salad, hoping that someone hasn't found the intense process of ordering lunch from here too much and skipped out on the bill (and the food). Usually they find who the salad belongs to standing in a different chopping line.
You will often see pre-chopped salads in bowls waiting to be chopped and frustrated and overwhelmed patrons like me, waiting for the promised land: the moment I get my salad, rush to the cashier, pay and leave.
This place has potential. I don't really like the structure of the line feels like you're standing in the same place for forever (which just might be true). However, my salad was delicious. Although they didn't have avocado :-/. The staff is what makes it great as they're so ready to work and so hospitable. It's new so I'll need to give an updated review when I go back. I just hope by that time everyone hasn't found out about this secret spot and I actually wound up on the line for hours.
Is it possible that no one knows about this location yet!? I've been here a few times since it opened last month and it hasn't been crowded!
A few reasons why you should get on over there for lunch:
Staff is super nice. As they put together the ingredients of my most recent salad I noticed I didn't get much chicken. The gal behind the counter was more than happy to add a few extra pieces and did so with a big smile.
They move quickly but smoothly. Even though they've just opened it seems like they've been working together for much longer. The whole operation ran very smoothly.
Salad was delish. Love the fresh ingredients and dressings.
Huge space with lots of tables. Actually a lot larger than some of its other locations. Whereas the Chipotle next door (yelp.com/biz/chipotle-ne…) isn't great for a lunching w/ a bunch of coworkers – this Chop't is great for that.
Instead of a soda machine they've got what looks like a freshly made flavored ice tea machine set up. Yum!
If you work in the Financial District and don't mind an extra walk then they this new location. Best salads/options in the neighborhood!