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• FRIDAY May 24, 2013 F

Moe’s Southwest Grill serves fresh burritos and more

My partner and I stopped by Johnson City’s new Fresh Market the other day to pick up a few things. Walking out with our purchases, I noticed the new restaurant next door was doing good business converting late afternoon shoppers into diners, so we decided to join them.

“Welcome to Moe’s,” the pert young woman behind the counter said as we entered the front door.

“Thank you, ma’am, I ... “

“WELCOME TO MOE’S,” boomed the five burly burrito builders lined up next to her.

Not the greeting you’d expect from the usual fast food restaurant, but Moe’s is anything but the usual fast food restaurant.

Johnson City’s latest entry into the “fast casual” restaurant genre, Moe’s offers healthful, wholesome meals prepared in your presence and to your order, often before you can get your wallet out. From personal experience, the longest moment I spent in the serving line was at the beginning, gawking at the colorful Moe’s menu and trying to decide what I was hungry for.

Though known for its burritos, Moe’s has other items on the menu that are worth a look and a taste. My partner, true to form, took the path less traveled and ordered a John Coctostan ($5.79), a loaded chicken quesadilla with pico de gallo. Still in “Fresh Market mode,” I decided on a Close Talker ($6.59), a fresh romaine salad with chicken and other assorted goodies. I opted for the combo meal, which added a side (Moe’s rice in my case) and a 22-ounce drink to the order. As we moved down to the cashier, our orders got there first. A quick credit card transaction, and we were seated in the dining area, digging into our selections.

Despite the large number of customers being served in the dining area, Moe’s staff efficiently maintained cleanliness and order, right down to wiping off the fingerprint smudges on the front door windows.

Moe’s uses the term “Delicious Simplicity” to describe the care it takes in selecting the best ingredients it uses in creating each meal. From the marinated tofu and grass-fed beef to the whole-grain tortillas and all-natural sour cream, you can’t help eating healthy at Moe’s.

My dining partner’s John Coctostan quesadilla was fresh from the inside out. The skinless chicken breast meat was complemented by the addition of the pico de gallo, black beans and shredded cheese. Though the quesadilla was delicious as a whole, my partner remarked that the chicken itself was bland, and could have used some salt and seasoning when cooked. Her side order of tortilla chips were fresh, crunchy and a fitting match to Moe’s “Who Is Kaiser” salsa.

My Close Talker romaine salad with chicken was presented in a fried flour tortilla salad bowl. To the shredded cheese, beans (black or pinto), cucumbers, tomatoes and black olives, I added guacamole and corn relish and topped it off with Moe’s excellent chipotle ranch dressing.

A word of caution: Don’t get too enthusiastic with your add-ons, or you won’t be able to finish your selection at one sitting. My side order of Moe’s rice was unremarkable; that seasoning issue again, I suspect. My choice of tomatillo verde sauce being just average, I borrowed some of my partner’s Kaiser salsa, which added an extra kick to the Close Talker salad.

Dessert? Well, Moe’s does dessert in its own special way. With every order, you receive a coupon good for $1 off your purchase at the Yobe’s frozen yogurt shop that’s located just down the hall from the main dining area. Yobe’s sells frozen yogurt by the ounce (49 cents per), along with a good selection of smoothies and a remarkable number of toppings ranging from crushed Kit-Kat bars to chopped peanuts and M&M’s. My dining partner’s creation was fresh, yummy and made a fitting exclamation point to an excellent eating experience. Two can dine, as we did, both nutritiously and well for around $20, the trip down the hall to Yobe’s averaging $4 extra, coupon included.

Moe’s take on “fast” food made healthy and delicious is sure to be popular with a dining public that is not only more time and schedule-conscious, but health-conscious as well.

After the meal my partner and I just had, all I can say to these fine folks is, “Welcome to the Tri-Cities, Moe’s!”

421 N. State of Franklin Road Johnson City, TN 37604 Open 7 days 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cash & credit cards welcome

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