Moe's Southwest Grill

I’m pretty picky about the food that I eat, especially when it comes to Mexican food. Recently, I visited a popular establishment—Moe’s Southwest Grill — and found that it’s a good spot to visit when you’re in the mood for some predictable, tasty Mexican fare.

I appreciate that Moe’s is an affordable and family-friendly restaurant that caters to a large crowd. I prefer to call ahead, because I can skip the long line waiting to place orders at the counter. However, you can walk in, wait on line, and place an order for a burrito and watch it cooked to your specifications. Vegetarian? Moe’s Southwest Grill has a special vegetarian menu featuring popular items like burritos with beans, rice, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole. The shredded cheese and sour cream that are used in Moe’s are free of gelatin and animal products (rennet) which I appreciate.

I never thought of Mexican, or southwestern fare, as “light,” but Moe’s does offer a “lite” menu that provides more healthy options for diners. There are taco options that come in under 9 grams of fat (without cheese and sour cream), and even a salad with tofu that is really appealing.

My favorite menu item is the quesadilla—the “John Coctostan” that is packed with chicken or beef, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo. It’s crispy on the outside, and the pico de gallo has a nice tang to it thanks to the cilantro and fresh tomatoes. I always order extra of this condiment to use with my complimentary nachos.

I will point out that Moe’s is absolutely crowded with families at dinner time—especially on Sundays, when kids’ meals are free with the purchase of an entree. The ambiance is loud and festive—it’s not a place to have a romantic tête-à-tête. However, you can order food to go, and eat in the comfort of your home if you prefer. Either way, Moe’s Southwest Grill has Mexican, southwest flavors that stand up to health-conscious, price-conscious diners.