As we all know Columbia loves controversy. We also know that Columbia loves Mexican food. Thankfully Morningside Heights entrepreneurs have recognized this and consequently the neighborhood offers plenty of Mexican eateries.

So many in fact that the recent increase in Mexican restaurants has caused quite a controversial and competitive commotion. Where can a student find the cheapest nachos? The most filling burrito? The freshest guacamole? The quickest quesadilla or closest taco? All these questions have roused heated debate. But the most contentious question of all does not concern the price, proximity or preparation of the food, but its authenticity.

This morning, Bwog woke up hungry and hankering for something not sweet, but savory. Fortunately, Saturday Brunch will never be Sunday Brunch and Bwog wanted lunch. And so on this dark Saturday, Bwog strode down Broadway past the parfaits and waffles of Community and Le Monde in search of vittles of a more proteinaceous variety.

Ecce Empanada Joe's! Despite its highly anticipated arrival, the little eatery opened to little fanfare a few weeks ago. Unlike Chipotle, tempting customers with both flex and Burrito Bowls, Empanada Joe's offers neither and unsurprisingly lacks the long lines and loyal following of the former pseudo-latino burrito bar. But occasionally, today for example, hunger outweighs reliability. And despite of Empanada Joe's generic, prefabricated décor, a result of franchising no doubt, Bwog's gastronomic gusto was a success.

When last we left the great promises of Off Campus Flex, we were bemoaning its demise and then celebrating its resurrection. But now, as part of a long list Housing and Dining improvements (which include a mini-Mill Korean at Carleton Lounge in Mudd, faux-vitamin water in John Jay, a taco bar in Ferris Booth, and churros and $9.99 cases of water in JJ's), there is a new list of locations that currently and will soon accept flex. Nussbaum, Fairway, Westside and University Hardware and Houseware currently offer the option, while Chipotle, CampusFood, Amir's, The Heights, Samad's and Camille's will be up and running sometime this summer. Once school restarts, however, the original Mill Korean and Community Food and Juice will join the flex-wielding ranks. And if you need further excuse to discuss collegiate gourmet, Housing and Dining created a Facebook group just for you!

-JJV

In a bold real estate move, the likes of which fair Morningside hasn't seen since Pinkberry's merciless eclipse of Tasti D-Lite, a restaurant called Empanadas Joe's has opened a few blocks down from Havana Central and just mere stores away from Chipotle, igniting a battle of Latin-influenced Broadway establishments. The empanada retailer will be taking the place of the darkly mysterious Wrapp Factory.

Little is known about Empanada Joe's: There's a restaurant called Empanada Joe's in Tulum, Mexico. And the company is apparently a registered business. Also, when Bwog was outside, a man approached us as we were taking a picture of the storefront. He suggested that we email the photo to the company, and that they would pay us for it. "If it's good," he added. As you can see, it is not.

A sign hanging outside announced that they were hiring (which means there are summer jobs still available!) and that today the store held a "meet and greet" for prospective employees. We assume EmJo will be open for business quite soon, at which point Chipotle and Havana Central will maybe be in for the fight of their lives, but probably not.

Citing the dining services webpage, Tipster Peter Labuza, informs Bwog that Chipotle will be accepting flex at some point this summer. According dining services, students can reap the nutritive benefits of Chipotle's burritos and at the same time exercise their creativity as they build their Mexican creations. It is unclear when this initiative will begin and how long it will last. But given off-campus flex's turbulent history, Bwog recommends taking this news with a grain of salt. If Chipotle follows the path of HamDel, there will be many disenchanted burrito enthusiasts and many empty stomachs.

Good news, followed by some possibly not so good, but on closer ex amination pretty awesome news:

CHIPOTLE IS OPEN! And better still, they're offering a $5 drink-and-burrito combo until closing today. Athletes can rejoice at the fact that 100% of today's sales will go towards Columbia athletics; stoners and lovers of Mexican food can rejoice at the markup being not nearly so bad as feared--burritos and tacos are a reasonable $6.75, the same price as at most of the chain's suburban locations.

Meanwhile...NACHOS IS CLOSED! But buck up, class of 2011--there are still plenty of places around campus where you can underagedly get your drink on, although the ones Bwog is thinking of are crowded enough already.

Workers at the newly-gutted former nightclub/Mexican restaurant informed Bwog that a resta urant and juice bar will soon occupy Nacho's old location. Could this mean that the Jamba Juice rumors are true? Maybe, although Jamba's urban markup is a lot worse than Chipotle's (it's five bucks for a small Jamba in midtown, compared to $3.25 in the 'burbs).

And on a non-Mexican food related note: Columnist Robert Samuelson accuses Judith Shapiro and Co. of "embracing censorship." The Washington Post isn't quite as critical as Samuelson, but still has its doubts.

Finally, for the curious: that bad 80s pop music you hear is emanating from this year's massive clam-bake themed Student Services staff party. It looks like a fun time, although Bwog really isn't loving the humidity right now...

- ARR

More in food news: Chipotle is arriving at the end of the month, and they're courting Columbia students in a big way. The new shop's advance team let Bwog know that on Wednesday, June 27, they're holding a kickoff event to raise money for Columbia athletics--from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, five bucks will get you a hefty burrito and a drink, and all the money goes to CU teams. We'll remind you as the time approaches.

If food's one way to our heart, and money's another, flashy websites are a third (we squandered a good half hour on this one--check out the dog section) and ethical food raising a fourth. The press release heavily promoted their naturally raised meats and organic beans, which should make your chunky hunk of Mexican taste even better. So, go forth and gorge, summer Columbians. And go Lions.