moe 's has unseated the former fast casual mexican restaurants to chipotle fell hard .
the 1,900 - unit chipotle mexican grill chain , which had topped the last three annual harris polls , did n’t even finish in the top four .
moe ’s southwest grill has toppled chipotle to become america ’s favorite mexican - inspired fast casual restaurant chain , according to a new poll .
the denver - based chain has had a tumultuous year between the bouts of food - borne illnesses and plummeting sales , but it has managed to emerge from the mess of e. coli - related issues .
for moe ’s , a 600 - unit chain , the first place finish in the harris poll was its first .
the chain has been named " brand of the year " in the harris poll 's category of fast - casual mexican restaurants , unseating chipotle 's downturn .
moe 's southwest grill has unseated chipotle as fast casual mexican restaurant " brand of the year , " according to an annual harris poll .
but the pile - on continues as other chains take advantage of the shifting fast - casual market food and begin to climb past the denver - based chain in customer ratings .
the harris poll ranked this year , chipotle ’s three year run as their # 1 chain .