Qdoba Mexican Grill opens at Topsy Lane

The Qdoba Mexican Grill franchise is capitalizing on the growing consumerism between Carson City and Carson Valley, opening up its sixth store. The Topsy Lane eatery will be in Carson Plaza, the same retail center as Pier One Imports, Old Navy and Borders.

"We call this a fast-casual establishment, somewhere between fast food and a full-service restaurant," said Christi Quatro, director of marketing for Rojo Caliente Restaurantes Inc., which owns the five other Qdobas in Northern Nevada, and also Northern Nevada's Jack in the Box locations.

"This is not a Del Taco or a Taco Bell," she said. "You know your food is going to be right because you're picking it."

The restaurant's general manager Manuel Murllo was busy preparing for their grand opening on Monday.

"I am ready for customers," said Murllo, who worked as a manager for Jack in the Box for 21 years before switching to Qdoba.

Quatro explained the restaurant's assembly-line style of service.

"Let's say you order one of our signature burritos," she said. "You go down the line and pick out every ingredient and watch as it's made. We don't use microwaves, and nothing comes from a freezer. Our guacamole was an avocado only an hour ago. From point A to Z, you never lose sight of your food."

Quatro said she's a big fan of two signature burritos, the Ancho Chile Barbecue and the Queso, which has three different cheeses.

"The Mexican Gumbo is also very good," she said.

Qdoba also offers catering services, on-site taco and hot naked burrito bars.

"But we also try to be involved in the community," said marketing coordinator Jenn Morin. "We make a lot of donations, work with a lot of nonprofit organizations, and support the high schools."

Qdoba

WHERE: 933 Topsy Lane

HOURS: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

CALL: 267-9366