First Dunkin' Donuts

The first ever Dunkin' Donuts is located at 543 Southern Artery in Quincy, Massachusetts. I was able to figure this out from a little web research and when I finally narrowed it down, I made a phone call:

Dunkin' Donuts Guy: Hello. Dunkin' Donuts
Me: Hi. Umh...this might be a silly question, but is this the first ever Dunkin' Donuts?
Dunkin' Donuts Guy: Yes ::silence::
Me: Great ::silence:: That's all I wanted to know. Thank you.

"Yes." That's all he said! I've never worked at the "first ever" anything, let alone the first ever Dunkin' Donuts. I work at a tiny non-profit, but it's not even the original office.

If I worked at the first ever Dunkin' Donuts I'd be telling everyone. I'd be screaming it everywhere I went. I'd run up to everyone and shake them while screaming, "Do you know where the first ever Dunkin' Donuts is? It's at 543 Southern Artery in Quincy, Massachusetts and I WORK THERE!" I'd say all that, while shaking them, and then I'd kiss them on the cheek, and say, "Have a good day, but be sure to stop by the first ever Dunkin' Donuts at 543 Southern Artery in Quincy, Massachusetts. And if you happen to stop by at the right time, I just might serve you because I work there!" And then I'd be off in a flash to share my message with the next person.

But alas, I don't work there. And the people that do don't seem to appreciate the enormosity of the situation. Such a shame.

Life Changing Restaurant and A Dream Realized

Have you ever been to Chipotle (che·POTE·lay)? This restaurant changed my life (I just told you this restaurant changed my life and what are you doing? You're still sitting there reading this post. I'm saying that a friggin' restaurant was so good that my life was altered forever after eating their food and you didn't get up off your ass and run to that restaurant? Some people I'll just never understand). Chipotle is basically a Mexican Subway. Their menu is limited to just burritos, burrito fajitahs, burrito bowls and tacos. You make your selection, the burrito artists begin to prepare your food in front of you with rice and beans or peppers and onions (depending on your order) and then pass it down the food line. You follow your food, peering over the sneeze guard to select your ingredients (chicken, beef, pork, different sauces, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, guacamole). And while the burrito only costs about $5.50, it tastes like it should cost at least $7!

I will never forget my first Chipotle experience. Actually, I have forgotten it, but I definitely will never forget my friend Jack telling me that I had to go to Chipotle. He took me once and I was hooked. Sometimes it seems like people are introduced in to your life for a reason. Jack and I haven't talked for years and our friendship started its decline after he got me hooked on Chipotle. I am beginning to think that maybe he was in my life only to introduce me to Chipotle - best friends throughout all of high school all just so I could learn about the magical Chipotle burrito.

My work recently sent me to Denver. Did you know that Chipotle was started in the city of Denver? Luckily I did. My boss, also a big Chipotle fan, did some research from his hotel room, and off we went, in search of the first ever Chipotle.

Since we were hungry, we quickly gave up and stopped at the first Chipotle we saw. But while in line I realized we were in a Chipotle in the originating city of this national chain - it maybe wasn't the first Chipotle, but it certainly had to be one of the first. So I asked the cashier. Turns out we were dining at the second ever Chipotle! We had reached the penultimate of coolness. And I think my happiness shows. My tacos tasted a little crispier, the pork a little juicier. I just couldn't believe I was at the second ever Chipotle.

But my boss and I were not satisfied. We had to be at the top of cool. We had to see the first ever Chipotle. So off we went with a few tid bits of information on the restaurant's general location and a fire in our hearts that could only be extinguished with a successful journey.

To make this voyage easier for others, the first ever Chipotle is located at 1644 East Evans, Denver, Colorado. Thankfully, even without this information, we found what we were looking for. It was wonderous.

The moment I saw that first ever Chipotle - as my eyes swelled up with tears, as my little heart skipped a beat - I realized my new dream in life. I have to visit the first ever locations of all my favorite chain restaurants. I had to see them with my own eyes and relive this feeling over and over again.

But I need to be organized. My friend Ryan suggested a laminated card that I carry around in my wallet, with names and addresses of all the restaurants I want to see. And that may come, but I'm not quite ready for that yet. So, in the mean time, I'll have Optimus Prime keep track of all the first restaurants I plan on visiting.

One by one, I hope to visit these locations, document my progress and cross them off my list.

Next up: Starbucks in Seattle