I ate at Chipotle for the first time in my life. Although I don't fully understand the hype, I would cross oceans for the chips and guacamole.

Before my visit, I was usually met with shock and surprise when I told people I'd never tried Chipotle before.

It wasn't that the food didn't appeal to me — I just never craved it like I craved grub from other fast-food spots. I also grew up near a Qdoba, which my family enjoyed often. Needless to say, I developed loyalties at a young age.

My colleagues at Insider told me before I left that I should visit the store instead of ordering online for my first experience. Chipotle has 13 locations in Philadelphia, so I took a trip to one of its three locations on Walnut Street to sample the menu.

There isn't much to be said about Chipotle's interior design: it was a neat, minimalist design with wood floors and metal tables. This was also reflected in the menu, which I found easy to read and navigate.

I snagged a booth against the wall, which provided more privacy than the high-top tables. I was ready to chow down.

Unsurprisingly, the least expensive item was a $1.85 bag of tortilla chips. Despite my temptations, I ordered the chips without any salsa or guacamole.

Although there were a few combinations that can make up Chipotle's most expensive meal, I ended up with a double-steak bowl with guacamole and queso. I added mild salsa, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream, bringing the total to $14.40.

I also picked out an item I would try any other day. The carnitas tacos sounded appetizing, so I ordered them in a soft shell with salsa, fajita veggies, cheese, and lettuce for $9.10.

My total before taxes and tip was $25.35. I knew it would be a little steep going in since the chain boasts its commitment to "goals on local and organic produce" and "responsibly raised meat" on its website.

The first thing I thought when I sat down was, "Am I supposed to shake it or not?"

I'd seen a bit of debate about it on social media in recent years. In May 2020, Chipotle itself posed the question to its followers on Twitter: "do you shake your bowl or are you normal?"

I decided against shaking because of the amount of guacamole I added and instead mixed it up with my fork, making perfect bites with all my toppings.

I didn't realize that the steak would be spicy, and as someone who can't handle heat, I was definitely surprised. Combining the steak with the subtle rice, fresh salsa, and creamy guacamole provided a better balance on my palate.

The guacamole truly was the star of the show. The flavors were simple and the texture was silky with soft chunks of avocado throughout. I felt like I had completed a rite of passage, and what an enjoyable rite it was.

Altogether, the bowl was a decent start, but the queso, guacamole, and steak together were a bit too rich for my taste. Next time, I would order the guac on the side and try the bowl with the chicken or barbacoa.

I like my tacos without too many toppings, so I tried to pick fixings that would best complement the carnitas.

Unfortunately, the flavors started to meld into one. I kept waiting for the juicy carnitas or zesty vegetables to stand out on my tongue, but it all tasted a bit dull.

I've heard so much about Chipotle's bowls and burritos, but I don't know many people who worship the brand's tacos. I still took them home to eat as leftovers, but I spiced them up with a ton of seasoning before giving them another bite.

From the moment I glanced down into the bag, I knew I would be happy with Chipotle's tortilla chips. They were thin with a nice crunch and smothered in large chunks of salt with a light, oily sheen. I could write poetry about these chips.

Even better, they provided the perfect vehicle for me to scoop some extra guacamole from the top of my bowl. The pairing was a perfect combination of textures.

I can say without a doubt that I like Chipotle's chips more than Qdoba's chips. I would go back to the restaurant just to pick up an order (or three) to eat on movie night.

It was really surprising to learn that many of Chipotle's toppings are free. I thought they tasted fresh and crisp, often adding nice variations in texture to each bite.

While I don't think the steak and carnitas are for me, they won't stop me from trying the chicken, barbacoa, and veggie options.

The chips and guacamole were a cut above, and I'm excited to go back and taste their other dips and salsas. I never found myself craving Chipotle before, but I think I will now.