A national restaurant chain has planted its' first roots in Central Illinois.

News 25's Eric Shangraw has a meal at Moe's Southwest Grill in this week's You Gotta Eat.

Everyone who pulls up to Moe's Southwest Grill and walks in the door is serenaded with the same chorus from the hourly help.

"Welcome to Moe's!"

Moe's makes burritos, taco and quesadillas fresh. Nothing is prepared ahead of time, each order custom assembled as you walk down a "Subway–like" line.
Ken Solem, one of two managing partners, says it's the fresh components which makes Moe's more memorable than the rest.

"We make our own pico de gallo. We make our own guacamole. We cook our own rice and beans. It is all made from scratch. Chicken and steak are grilled throughout the day," said Solem.

Said customer John VanHook between bite, "They have a little different rice. The steak is better than what I've had at Qdoba."

"They have black olives. It's a big step up from Taco Bell," said customer Caleb Beenders.

Maggie Vespa, a News 25 summer intern, came along for a final real meal before heading back to her fall semester at the University of Illinois.
She ordered the Overachiever: a taco with grilled meat, pinto beans, shredded cheese pico de gallot and guacamole.
Maggie says it was hearty, spicy and easy to hold and eat.
My Homewrecker Burrito is not easy to get a grip on. The number one seller comes with your choice of grilled meat, rice, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.
I got a tip from one of the line workers on eating the burrito: peel away a top portion of the tin foil; leaving the rest as a cup you can catapult into your face. Terrific tip.
I gave it a college try, but could not finish my Moe's meal. Maggie and I both had the drink and chips combo with our order, making our total $15.18.

"Moe's is very good. I liked it a lot. It's better than any dorm food I could get back at school," quipped Vespa.

If Maggie knows best, than Moe's knows Mexican.

Moe's Southwest Grill is open in the Constitution Tral Centre in north Normal just across from the new Schnuck's.
They are open seven days a week from 11am-10pm. They also cater.
Phone: 309-862-MOES (6637)