Published 6:00 am Tuesday, August 12, 2025

By MICHAEL KANE | For the Hermiston Herald

A new Chipotle Mexican Grill is under construction along Highway 395 in Hermiston. The restaurant is scheduled to open in the fall. (Michael Kane/For the Hermiston Herald)

HERMISTON — Hermiston-area residents soon will have another option when it comes to lunch and dinner. Chipotle Mexican Grill announced it will be opening a new restaurant in Hermiston in the fall, according to Tyler Benson, senior manager for external communications for the company. The restaurant is under construction on Highway 395 in the parking lot area where Grocery Outlet is. Hermiston City Planner Clint Spencer said the site plan for the new Chipotle Mexican Grill was approved in October 2024. The building is 4,900 square feet. "It is being built with two spaces," Spencer said. "One for Chipotle and one as a lease space for other commercial clients."

Spencer said he does not know if a tenant for the other space has been secured. "It was planned as Verizon but that dropped off early in the process," he said. Spencer said the delay between the time the site plan was approved, and the beginning of construction had to do with issues with Highway 395 access, but those have been resolved. "The driveways for Ace (Hardware) and Grocery Outlet will be consolidated and aligned with Harbor Freight across the highway," Spencer said. "This will create a safer alignment with fewer turning conflicts."

Folks attending the recent Umatilla County Fair approved of the Chipotle development. Hermiston resident Rebecca Davison said her son and daughter-in-law worked at a Chipotle restaurant in Spokane and gave it rave reviews. "That is their go-to place to eat," Davison said. "It’s excellent. You can make it keto or customize it to your liking. They have really high standards."

Shaun Finn, of Hermiston, has eaten at a Chipotle in the Tri-Cities, Seattle and Boise. He’s a fan of the salsa. "They have a really good pico de gallo," he said. "Most places you go to don’t chop up tomatoes and onions and garlic. It’s usually just a basic salsa. What they serve at Chipotle’s is very good."

Lisha Demille said she has never eaten at a Chipotle, but her niece has. "She loves it," the Hermiston resident said. "Every time she goes to the Tri-Cities she eats there. I’m excited to try it when it opens."

Chipotle, which first opened in Denver, Colorado in 1993, is known for its bowls, tacos and Mission burritos made to order in front of the customer. Leslie Weimer, of Hermiston, described the food at Chipotle Mexican Grill as "awesome and very fresh." She said her favorite menu item is the chicken salad. "It’s the sauce that’s so good," Weimer said. "I wanted to make it for myself at home, but they wouldn’t tell me the recipe. It’s a secret sauce."

Jim Nelson, Hermiston, said he is a fan of the Chipotle guacamole and salsa. "I’m diabetic so it’s the only thing I can eat there," he said. Nelson said he stops by Chipotle nearly every time he goes to the Tri‑Cities. Audry O’Grady, of Hermiston, is a longtime fan of Chipotle. She used to live in Southern California for many years and would dine there from time to time. "It’s very fast and very good and very healthy," she said. "I could eat there twice a week no problem."

Paula Otzenberger, of Stanfield, said she can eat at Chipotle, and it does not aggravate her gluten allergies. It’s a place I can go that is safe for me to eat," she said. "The food is excellent."

This is the second Chipotle Mexican Grill under construction in Umatilla County — Pendleton is getting one as well.

Chipotle Mexican Grill opening soon in Hermiston

Chipotle Mexican Grill is constructing a new restaurant on Highway 395 in Hermiston, Oregon, slated to open in the fall. The 4,900‑square‑foot building will feature two spaces—one for the restaurant and a lease space for other commercial tenants. Local residents and fans have expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming location.