Capitol Hill is inching ever closer to its first burrito bowl. The Examiner reports that the planning and zoning committee of local Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B on Tuesday voted 10-0 in favor of a special zoning exemption that would allow ubiquitous Mexican eatery Chipotle to set up shop along 8th Street SE. Fast food restaurants are currently prohibited along the burgeoning restaurant corridor known as Barracks Row unless they first obtain a special permit. Chipotle has claimed it is not “fast food,” per se, but rather “fast casual,” which is supposedly something different. According to the Eastern Market Metro Community Association, which is cited in the Examiner report, the Chipotle deal also signals the death knell for neighboring takeout China Wall, which occupies the adjacent space and is “not expected to stay.” A vote by the full ANC is scheduled for July 12 and a hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustment is slated the following week.

Photo by Chris Shott