The line into Panchero's Mexican Grill stretched almost an entire block Tuesday as hundreds of students waited in 90-degree heat for their turn at $1 burritos.
"It's worth it," said Blaze Smith, who moved up to the fifteenth person in line after a 30-minute wait. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, but Smith, 15, said his stomach was growling more.
The local chain celebrated its 15th anniversary by selling $1 burritos and handing out free T-shirts at its Iowa City downtown location at 32 S. Clinton St. In two hours, workers doled out 1,500 burritos and gave out 1,500 black-and-gold T-shirts.
"We want to make a statement and say, 'We appreciate you Iowa City, and we're ready for 15 more years,'" said Jay Hockenedel, director of operations.
He said the special actually began 45 minutes early out of consideration for people who were already forming lines in the heat. The event was officially from 2 to 4 p.m. At 1 p.m., 285 people already had showed up.
Panchero's opened at the corner of Clinton and Washington streets in 1992. It quickly became a staple downtown, and in particular, for University of Iowa students.
"It's a staple for the college kids," Hockenedel said. "University students and Panchero's kind of go hand in hand." He said the restaurant has always tried to cater to the student population, operating at after-bar hours for example.
Although still in high school, Smith and his friends said they already have acquired a taste for Panchero's. Smith said a Panchero's burrito is "like a pound of food and is just awesome." Since its opening, the eatery has expanded to more than 45 locations in 13 states. There are plans this year to open about 25 new locations.
UI students Jesse Henderkott, 21, and Jeff Beck, 21, said they like Panchero's fresh tortillas.
"I go all the time, probably once a week," Henderkott said.
Beck said his favorite is the chicken burrito.
UI sophomore Michelle Grand, 19, said she thought the $1 burritos were a great idea.
"They should do it more often," she said.