The Chipotle Mexican Grill being readied at the Elko Junction plaza off Mountain City Road will open its doors on Wednesday, the company said.
It is the first Chipotle Mexican Grill in Elko and the only one within 130 miles, a company spokeswoman said in an email.
“The restaurant will feature the brand’s signature Chipotlane, a drive-thru pickup lane that allows guests to conveniently pick up digital orders without leaving their cars,” according to the statement from spokeswoman Annie Gradinger.
The restaurant, at 2405 Mountain City Highway, will be open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Among the new items that will be featured at the new restaurant, Gradinger said, is the Chicken al Pastor, which will be available for a limited time.
The company has been advertising for crew members and crew leads on its website and popular job-search sites.
Gradinger said in her email the restaurant is still hiring. She said there generally are 30 positions at each restaurant.
Those interested can check out chipotle.com/careers.
Company spokesman Tyler Benson said all 3,400-plus Chipotle restaurants in North America and Europe are owned by the company.
Expanding into Elko, he said, was natural because, “We’re always looking for communities where we can serve responsibly sourced, classically cooked, real food and establish new local partnerships, and Elko is a great fit.”
He said there are no plans to add a second Chipotle in Elko.
Work at the restaurant had been wrapping up the past few weeks. Tables and other items were installed over the past couple months as well.
The parking lot between Chipotle and Shilo Inn has undergone asphalt fillings to prepare for the opening.
Earlier this month, William Griffin, who handles leasing for Elko Junction through the Meridian Pacific real estate agency, told the Elko Daily Free Press, “We’re trying to open this month but we haven’t done all of our inspections yet.”
In October, bids were being solicited for construction of the restaurant. At the time, the project’s cost was estimated at $300,000, according to Construction Journal magazine.
The Elko City Clerk’s office said on April 5 the building official “reported the building shell and site just got completed today.”
“Chipotle is inside their portion of the building getting it ready. It is not completed and we don’t have an estimated completion date,” according to Diann Byington with the clerk’s office.