Moe's is Back

I remember Moe's.

When I first visited Moe's over 6 years ago my mind was blown. The cheerful employees, the unlimited number of options, the atmosphere was rich, alternative and hip. Moe's was cool.

As all of you know, things changed, food quality seemed to be a bit below par, the employees started grunting, "Welcome to Moe's" instead of joyfully shouting it and then the real kicker - a Chipotle opened across the street.

You all know this story.

My primary issues with Moe's have been and always will be: food isn't that fresh, not an extremely flavorful taste profile, and my biggest problem is that it costs the same or more than Chipotle (depending on what you order...throw the "must have" queso in and you're over $10). That would be like if a Kia cost the same as a Lexus. It's just not right.

Moe's Monday is famous - and a sweet deal. Burrito, Chips, Drink all for $5.55. While this makes Moe's a whole lot more affordable, it's still not enticing enough. The offer is only valid for dinner and on a Monday (not a night people typically eat out, unless you are enjoying the glorious college life in which you eat out every meal because you don't have a kitchen and if you have a kitchen you don't feel like "cooking").

For this reason late last week when I discovered that Moe's was offering a Joey Jr. Bundle for $4.99 my interest was definitely peaked. It almost seemed to good to be true. A little smaller burrito, chips and a drink for $5 available for lunch and dinner every single day.

I know what you're thinking as I thought the exact same thing: how small is this stupid burrito? Is it small enough for a child, but not big enough for a man? I was worried as I assumed that Moe's was trying to scam me, so I did a little investigative work before I went and tried it. Yes, although I looked like a freak I walked into our local Moe's last week and asked them how big the Joey Jr. burrito was, the employee held up the tortilla, said "8 inches" and then I walked out again.

As part of the $5 Showdown I decided to give it a try.

During lunch Moe's was very busy. I don't know if it was because there were so many people in line or because they were all jacked up on caffeine, but whatever the reason, the employees seemed thrilled - shouting Welcome to Moe's! to every person in line.

Much like me every other customer there seemed just as curious about the Joey Jr. In fact I over heard two people in front of me order it and the three people behind me get it as well.

I ordered: Rice, Chicken, Salsa, Jalapenos, Cheese, Extra Cheese, Extra Cheese again and lettuce.

Then I got asked the question......"do you want queso?" Grrr. That damn queso is so good. A "side" is 79cents. Usually I would say, no as I was likely to rack up a $10 check, but I did the math and this time I said, yes. After all, my meal was only $4.99 and included a drink.

Total cost? Just over $6 with tax. Again, let me remind you: burrito, chips, drink and queso. This amount of food at Moe's for this price is unheard of.

Many of you loyal Moe's fans might think this is a scam as one reader has written in telling me that Moe's has taken away the option for the kids meal since the Joey Jr. has been put in place. Essentially this is kind of the kids meal with no cookie and a bigger drink so I understand your anger.

Still skeptical as I haven't tried a Moe's burrito in a very long time, I sat down and opened the bad boy up.....after dunking it in queso and a few bites I was pleasantly surprised...actually I was thrilled. No it's not Chipotle. It never will be. They are not in the same category, that would be like saying Wal-Mart is the same as Target. But, it was good, really good for about $5.

The portion was well sized, filling enough but not too overwhelming so you felt like rolling out of the restaurant. Taste was good - I think adding the jalapenos helped and next time I'm just going to have them dump the queso right on the burrito.

As I sat there eating, listening to the music, the shouts of "Welcome to Moe's" in the background and thinking about how satisfied I was with my purchase, I remembered something.

I remembered the Moe's that once was.....and think they're back.