All-Electric Chipotle Opens In Crown Heights With New Menu Item

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — Chipotle opened a new, energy efficient location in Crown Heights this week — the perfect spot to try the chain's new limited menu item, chicken al pastor.

The Utica Avenue spot is the first of its kind in Brooklyn, featuring all-electric equipment replacing traditionally gas powered kitchens, according to a Chipotle representative.

The location opened Wednesday on 250 Utica Ave. between St. John's Place and Lincoln Place, and will be open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Improved exhaust hoods, a smaller cookline and non-gas water heaters also set this greener chain location apart, a representative said.

The Crown Heights location includes some — but not all — features of Chipotle's new "responsible restaurant design" being rolled out in Virginia, Florida and Colorado.

In addition to all-electric equipment, fully responsible restaurants will include rooftop solar panels, cactus leather chairs, biodegradable cutlery and electric vehicle charging stations.

"With our aggressive development goal in North America, we hold ourselves accountable to reduce the environmental impact of our restaurants," said Laurie Schalow, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Chipotle, in a statement. "We are aiming to incorporate some elements of our responsible restaurant design into many of our new restaurant openings going forward."

The Crown Heights location will also serve up Chipotle's newest menu item, chicken al pastor, launched in March and around for only a limited time. The al pastor chicken is seasoned with adobo, morita peppers and ground achiote and topped with lime and cilantro, according to a Chipotle news release.