Super Size You

Just when you think the market is saturated with Mexican fare, think again. Enter Moe's Southwest Grill, a quick-serve order-at-the counter joint in the precipitously close to saturated square mile surrounding 71st St. and Memorial Drive.

But, with the continued explosion of Mexican restaurants, no study is needed to figure out that Americans crave this cuisine.

A friend and I dined here a mere three days after Moe's opened, and from what observed, Moe's has the potential to have what customers want.

When you enter Moe's an echoing of "Welcome to Moe's, to Moe's, Moe's" is belted out from the staff. It's nice to be welcomed, except it wasn't so fun when eating and a flood of people continued in at a steady stream. It's almost as if the corporate entity did a study of "how to greet" and this repetitive mantra must be canted.

Troy Richardson, local franchisee of this Atlanta-based company, is proud to show off his new place--commenting on such points that "there is a separate grill for only vegetables for the vegetarians who dine here--the meat never touches this grill." Also, he boasts there are "no freezer" and "no microwave" on the premises. A huge walk-in is where the foods are stored until served.

So, this must be paying off, for one thing we did notice was the very fresh taste of the foods. Menu items include Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, Salads, Fajitas, Machos, For Dips, and Kids' Menu. All burritos, tacos and quesadillas come with a choice of black or pinto beans, choice of grilled chicken, steak or tofu and crispy tortilla chips.

Names for items are conversational pieces, inspired from names of celebrities, pop-culture references and music from the 1950's-80's. Such names include The Full Monty, Other Lewinsky, Sherman Klump, I Said Posse, Fat Sam, Ruprict, Puff the Magic Dragon and Pink Tuscadero.

My friend and I studied the menu posted on the wall, then ventured to the counter to order. I chose the Triple Lindy ($6.09) from the Burrito menu; my friend ordered the Sherman Klump Quesadilla ($3.59). We also shared the Ruprict Nachos ($4.19).

My burrito ended up being this almost 4x4" weapon-like mound: I lost track of the number of ingredients inside this tightly wrapped flour tortilla. Rice, black beans, grilled chicken, cheese, salsa, guacamole, jalapeno peppers, black olives and seemingly even more was in this burrito which had to be sliced in half to eat. Each bite was a different taste--all very fresh. Very filling.

My friend's Sherman Klump Quesadilla was shredded cheese on a flour tortilla with a side of salsa and sour cream. Ordinary is how he described it; and hardly worth the $3.59. Chips were served on the side.

These vegetarian nachos were a basket of crispy chips laden with brown beans, salsa, jalapenos, black olives and white melted creamy cheese covered all of this. This was good while hot and fresh, but gradually the chips softened, succumbing to the warm melted cheese saturating them.

Once a few areas are tweaked (waiting in line to check out while the cashier was on the phone; dodging an eager cleaner spraying the counter right in front of the salsa station and the table behind where I was sitting; a little more courteous staff), Moe's will be a contender with all the other dining establishments in southeast Tulsa.

So recently opened, maybe we came to review too early. It is a place I'll return to in a few months or so.

Moe's Southwest Grill

7945 S. Memorial

392-5663

Hours:

Sun.-Sat. 11am-9pm

Rating:

Atmosphere ***

Service ***

Food ***1/2