“Welcome to Chipotle!” Oh wait! Chipotle’s greeting is a line, backed up through a door, all waiting to run the risk of contracting a disease from food that somehow constantly failed to be cleaned properly for an extended period of time. After the agonizing wait to just reach the glass panels, an employee, who probably hasn’t washed his/her hands, demands my order fall from my mouth, not letting my eyes even glance at the overhead menu. A cold, steel interior deflates an almost sunken mood as a cold chair gets scraped across a cement floor, greatly bothering the other burrito and burrito bowl partakers who are heaving rice and chicken into their mouths. I care not for such a cold burrito experience.

But walk into Moe’s, and immediately a warmth fills the innermost veins of my soul, likely the doing of a fresh, visible grill, and a friendly greeting by their staff. A southwestern menu pays homage to the essence of the burrito, with fresh steak, and a multitude of options that Chipotle cannot match, all in a warm environment, with self-serving salsa stations, Coke Freestyles, and booths and chairs that all, fortunately, include cushions to keep my body warm while devouring the gooey goodness of a steak burrito, or a delectable stacker. And, of course, queso! Queso brings joy and good vibes to anyone who places the delectable, melted cheese within the confines of their mouths. Even though there are those who will oppose, think of this the next time eating a burrito: is it warm in the seat?

And likely, the answer, if in the king of this supposed battle, is yes. Moe’s simply tops the Chipotle chain in taste and quality; the fresh ingredients are there, and the satisfaction of free chips and salsa puts the twinkle in even the broke middle schooler’s eyes, after learning that mom’s money had sadly run out. So take the warm route, eat some queso, and be happy.