Ingredients & Food Philosophy

Inspired by culinary traditions of Mexico, your meal is prepared in-house and by hand, the way it’s meant to be. Whether it’s chopping produce, flame-grilling steak*, or hand-crafting guac, we don’t take shortcuts. That’s right, no microwaves or can-openers in our kitchens – just quality flavors you can feel great about.

You deserve the best-quality eats to satisfy your cravings – that’s why we ensure your favorite QDOBA ingredients are free of MSG, artificial colors, and many other additives we’ve pledged to avoid.

Leading our culinary innovation is Executive Chef Katy Velazquez. She’s a James Beard award-winning, Emmy-nominated, lover of Mexican food. You may have caught her on National Geographic Channel and Food Network. Chef Katy has developed menus, opened restaurants, and written cookbooks, combining a passion for traditional Mexican flavors with modern preparation and technique.

The root of flavor stems from the source, and it’s our mission to bring you quality food through sustainable practices . From growing our produce and rice in the US, to our commitment to animal welfare, we partner with suppliers who care as much as we do about quality, ethical practices, and sustainability.