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The Mexican cuisine at Penn has no borders.

The opening of Chipotle last month added to the variety of Mexican restaurants scattered around campus to satiate a spicy palate. But despite this new competition, officials say business at other Mexican establishments in the area has not been negatively affected.

Mexican food is a "dining preference that gained popularity over the past five-to-10 years," Penn executive director of real estate Ed Datz said.

And Penn students seem to have caught onto the trend - they can't seem to get enough Mexican cuisine.

College junior Benjamin Scherban said he is a fan of all mainstream Mexican fare - especially burritos and tacos.

"Since it's spicy and exotic, it titillates the taste buds and the mind," he said.

College freshman Jayson Weingarten, a Los Angelos native, said he loves Mexican food because it gives him a taste of nostalgia.

Weingarten said he utilizes all the options available on campus.

"When I want nachos I go to Houston, and when I want a burrito I go to Chipotle," he said. "And I go to Qdoba when I win a free taco from a Penn basketball game."

Chipotle, the newest restaurant, has enjoyed a successful run so far, according to Chipotle spokeswoman Katherine Smith.

Although there is a variety of local Mexican venues, "Chipotle is a great place for the Mexican munchies," College freshman Mathew Lazarus said.

And the array of Mexican restaurants on campus doesn't end with casual take-out venues like Qdoba and Chipotle. Over the past few years, several casual dining restaurants serving Mexican cuisine have also sprung up in the proximal area.

At these restaurants, such as Mad Mex and Distrito, "there is a different buyer" than for casual takeout venues, Datz said.

General manager Devin Johnson said Mad Mex serves a "California-style Mexican food," along with a variety of margaritas, which more casual venues don't offer.

Therefore, there has been no significant drop in customers since the opening of Chipotle, Johnson said.

At the same time, though, Qdoba also has not noticed a drop in sales, according to employee Andrew Greenbaum.

"The day Chipotle opened up and gave out free burritos, we were extremely busy," he said.

Greenbaum added that Qdoba also serves a larger menu than Chipotle.

Due to the success of Mexican food in the area, Datz said he isn't opposed to opening another Mexican restaurant at the East end of campus.

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