The Chalkey Delight
I did it. It took me a while, but I did it. I remembered the formula to Aldoberto's burrito. And not only did I remember it, but I made it better. That's right: he started it, but I perfected it. This actually happened a while ago, but for reasons I'll explain below I've been putting off a journal entry about it.
But I'm excited; like I said, Aldoberto started it, but I perfected it. How do I boast such a claim? It's simple - I've asked the customers. Select customers of a certain age group were offered an "experimental burrito" at first. I let them taste it the original way, and then my way. I only did this for a very small number of customers, but they all agreed mine was better.
That same very small number of people have asked me to make it again, and again and again and again. But this comes with a big problem: I could get fired for doing this. As it is, my supervisors have all at some point or another yelled at me for making off-the-menu burritos (if they ask for it when I'm not there or when we're busy, it won't get made and then the customer just gets angry. It makes us all look bad). And even though I don't plan on working at Qdoba my whole life, right now I really need the money, and would not dare endanger myself and my housemates with my unemployment.
But the secret burrito is in strong demand; they even come back multiple times in one day just to ask again if I can't make it for them the first time. So, to satisfy my loyal customers at Qdoba while still protecting myself from getting fired, I have crafted a very specific set of rules:
1. The customer examines the store while approaching the counter. If anyone besides me is at the counter or even within eyesight, or if any other employee besides me is within hearing range, I won't make it and will deny any affiliation with it. The original people know not to even ask if someone else could notice.
2. If we are alone, the customer will ask for "The Chalkey Delight." Actually, that's not what it's called, but for my own protection that's what it will be called here in this livejournal.
3. I will ask to see their ID. Again, I'm super paranoid about getting fired, so this is a precautionary measure to make sure the person is safe. If they show me a state ID, student ID or drivers license, I turn them away and say I have no idea what they're talking about. They have to show me a specific card, which I will not name here, in order to gain my trust.
4. If they show me the correct card, I double check to make sure the coast is clear. Veterans have been turned down at this stage in the process, but the true veterans understand that sacrifices must be made for my protection. If the coast is not clear, I bail and make a regular burrito.
5. If the coast is clear, I start the process.
6. While doing so, I explain that the customer is not to tell a soul about what goes on. I explain to them that making things off the menu is against the rules, and that it makes the other employees look bad when they tell a customer they can't have something they've already ordered once. I usually get them to agree at least once verbally to not tell anyone.
For better or for worse, rule number six has been broken a few times, hence the extra unnecessary precautionary measurements. The more people who know about this, the more nervous I get. I like doing this, but I also like my job.
To be honest, I would've told somebody about this, but I've gotten the impression that Qdoba Corporate doesn't want to change the menu up. It really is a shame though, because people are willing to pay extra for this - I ring it up as the most expensive item on the menu just to make sure that Qdoba isn't being hurt business-wise by my actions. Sometimes, I feel like this burrito has the potential to run Chipotle into the ground; one customer says that Chipotle is actually closer to his apartment, but he specifically comes here for The Chalkey Delight. This guy in particular goes out of his way to come to our location and pay extra for something I made for him. It's crazy. Admittedly, there's a very spiteful part of me that just does this because I hate when customers say "Qdoba and Chipotle are basically the same thing."
But part of what makes this burrito so special is that it's not just about the ingredients I put into it. In my numerous failed attempts at recreating Aldoberto's burrito, I learned that the same combination of ingredients can make completely different burritos when portions and order of ingredients are altered. Aldoberto has since confirmed to me that he feels the same way; the same ingredients can make a thousand different burritos.
I really wish my supervisors weren't so against this. Hearing customers give such high reviews is a lot of fun, and it also leaves me feeling like I made someone's day a little better with my job. But for now, I'm perfectly content making The Chalkey Delight in secret. It keeps things interesting.
Live, laugh, love,
Chalkey
But I'm excited; like I said, Aldoberto started it, but I perfected it. How do I boast such a claim? It's simple - I've asked the customers. Select customers of a certain age group were offered an "experimental burrito" at first. I let them taste it the original way, and then my way. I only did this for a very small number of customers, but they all agreed mine was better.
That same very small number of people have asked me to make it again, and again and again and again. But this comes with a big problem: I could get fired for doing this. As it is, my supervisors have all at some point or another yelled at me for making off-the-menu burritos (if they ask for it when I'm not there or when we're busy, it won't get made and then the customer just gets angry. It makes us all look bad). And even though I don't plan on working at Qdoba my whole life, right now I really need the money, and would not dare endanger myself and my housemates with my unemployment.
But the secret burrito is in strong demand; they even come back multiple times in one day just to ask again if I can't make it for them the first time. So, to satisfy my loyal customers at Qdoba while still protecting myself from getting fired, I have crafted a very specific set of rules:
1. The customer examines the store while approaching the counter. If anyone besides me is at the counter or even within eyesight, or if any other employee besides me is within hearing range, I won't make it and will deny any affiliation with it. The original people know not to even ask if someone else could notice.
2. If we are alone, the customer will ask for "The Chalkey Delight." Actually, that's not what it's called, but for my own protection that's what it will be called here in this livejournal.
3. I will ask to see their ID. Again, I'm super paranoid about getting fired, so this is a precautionary measure to make sure the person is safe. If they show me a state ID, student ID or drivers license, I turn them away and say I have no idea what they're talking about. They have to show me a specific card, which I will not name here, in order to gain my trust.
4. If they show me the correct card, I double check to make sure the coast is clear. Veterans have been turned down at this stage in the process, but the true veterans understand that sacrifices must be made for my protection. If the coast is not clear, I bail and make a regular burrito.
5. If the coast is clear, I start the process.
6. While doing so, I explain that the customer is not to tell a soul about what goes on. I explain to them that making things off the menu is against the rules, and that it makes the other employees look bad when they tell a customer they can't have something they've already ordered once. I usually get them to agree at least once verbally to not tell anyone.
For better or for worse, rule number six has been broken a few times, hence the extra unnecessary precautionary measurements. The more people who know about this, the more nervous I get. I like doing this, but I also like my job.
To be honest, I would've told somebody about this, but I've gotten the impression that Qdoba Corporate doesn't want to change the menu up. It really is a shame though, because people are willing to pay extra for this - I ring it up as the most expensive item on the menu just to make sure that Qdoba isn't being hurt business-wise by my actions. Sometimes, I feel like this burrito has the potential to run Chipotle into the ground; one customer says that Chipotle is actually closer to his apartment, but he specifically comes here for The Chalkey Delight. This guy in particular goes out of his way to come to our location and pay extra for something I made for him. It's crazy. Admittedly, there's a very spiteful part of me that just does this because I hate when customers say "Qdoba and Chipotle are basically the same thing."
But part of what makes this burrito so special is that it's not just about the ingredients I put into it. In my numerous failed attempts at recreating Aldoberto's burrito, I learned that the same combination of ingredients can make completely different burritos when portions and order of ingredients are altered. Aldoberto has since confirmed to me that he feels the same way; the same ingredients can make a thousand different burritos.
I really wish my supervisors weren't so against this. Hearing customers give such high reviews is a lot of fun, and it also leaves me feeling like I made someone's day a little better with my job. But for now, I'm perfectly content making The Chalkey Delight in secret. It keeps things interesting.
Live, laugh, love,
Chalkey