Moe's is a Glorified Mexican Subway

Rarely does anything good come in the mail.

The mailbox is usually filled with bills, coupons you don't need and requests from credit card companies to sign up for a card you have never heard of.

Every now and then though something good comes. A gift as if sent from the restaurant heavens. It's not just a coupon, it's an offer you will actually use, something you have been waiting for.

Last week I went out to our "box" inserted my key and peered inside, my hopes a little high as I longed for a surprise to come. There - towards the back I saw it, I pulled it out, and glanced over it quickly: Buy One Philly Cheese Steak Burrito from Moe's - get one free!

As you may recall, my last visit to Moe's was in March of 2007. I tried to go back again this past spring however pulled in the parking lot, thought about it and ended up turning around and going to Chipotle. Since my discovery of Chipotle, Moe's hasn't been that good.

They started as an outstanding concept that provided a great product with a reasonable price and exciting service. Then, other players came on to the field. Moe's wasn't that enticing anymore and after awhile I stopped going.

I ran quickly inside with a lifted heart to tell the wife that we FINALLY had a good reason to visit Moe's.

I walk through the door - hold out the coupon and say, "Babe. We're going to Moe's."

Without looking up, she responds, "No we're not. Why would we go there when we can go to Chipotle?"

"Because...because......I have a coupon. It's a buy one Philly cheese steak burrito, get one free."

She glances up slowly, "Why would a Philly cheese steak burrito be good?"

Knowing I had lost the battle, but would win the war, I set the coupon on the counter and waited for the right time to bring it up again.

A few days passed.....I tried again and with a little wit and some smooth husband talk - I won.

We walked suspiciously in to Moe's tonight and were greeted by the usual, "Welcome to Moe's!"

In the year and a half since I was last there, not a whole lot had changed. The meat was still in plastic containers, the queso still cost $4 and the chips and salsa are still included in the price of the meal.

I opted for the Philly cheese steak quesadilla's instead of the burrito because it seemed like a better tasting option. In my quesadilla I got: steak, chicken, cheese, green peppers, queso, pickled jalapenos and more cheese.

My wife got a Philly cheese......with no meat so basically it was rice, cheese, queso and lettuce.

As the Moe's employees were making up our goods I took the opportunity to strike up a conversation on their thoughts on Chipotle. My goal? Get them to admit that Chipotle is better than Moe's.

I began gently..."so - what do you guys think of Chipotle? Do you like hate them?" Without hesitation, the cashier promptly responds, "I love Chipotle, it's so fresh and good." The grill guy chimed in, "Chipotle is good......but they don't have our queso - it's like crack."

Also, just like crack it's extremely overpriced.

Then I ask the question, "but you think Chipotle is better than you guys right? It's ok to admit it." The cashier looks at me with truth in her eyes and glances at her coworker, is she allowed to openly admit while working? She responds...."it's different." Riiiiiight....."different".

We pay for our food: $9.50 for mine because I added chicken on top of the steak. Otherwise it would have been $7.48. WHOA that is an expensive quesadilla. Think about it - at Chipotle you can get a quesadilla with half chicken, half steak, a drink and chips and salsa for about the same price or less. Not to mention Chipotle's food is FRESH made in store on a daily basis.

Before we exit we make sure to take more free salsa than we would ever possibly need and come home to chow down.

I open mine up and it is huge. Let me clarify that Moe's version of "Philly Cheese Steak" is basically just putting all of the ingredients in a shell, there is no culinary expertise, chopping or grilling here. They just drop it all in and roll it up.

Upon opening the to-go container we notice immediately that it looks like fast food, a little greasy, not so fresh looking. Still I take my first bite and it is EXTREMELY good. The combination with the peppers, meat, cheese and queso is perfect. I consume the entire thing in a matter of a few minutes satisfied with my purchase except for the premium price tag.

My wife and I discuss as we munch on the chips why Moe's is still in business when there is a Chipotle down the street. It is the fast food version of Chipotle, sure they have more options but basically they are a glorified Mexican Subway.

Then, my wife presents me with a Challenge. She believes and I agree that I can get the exact same product at Chipotle for a cheaper price and have it be better quality. No there won't be queso, but there will be Chipotle's mouth watering white cheese combined with their salsa and seasoning on their meat.

I believe it can be done and I believe it will be better.

Look for the steps on how to get Chipotle to build your own Philly cheese steak quesadilla soon.