Chipotle opens at Coddingtown

A Chipotle Mexican Grill opened at Coddingtown mall last week, the fast-growing chain's first restaurant in Santa Rosa and third in Sonoma County.

The "fast-casual" eatery known for its use of natural ingredients opened Thursday at the mall's northern entrance next to BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.

"Chipotle is one of many exciting restaurant choices we're going to be adding at Coddingtown in the next 12 months," said Kirstie Moore, development director of Codding Enterprises.

Founded in Colorado in 1993, Chipotle now has more than 1400 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and France.

It's the latest effort by Coddingtown to attract nationally known restaurants and retailers. In addition to BJ's and Chipotle, the mall is now home to a Whole Foods, a Starbucks is expected to open soon, and Target is coming in 2014.