Why: Morelia Mexican Grill is just one of several restaurants on Fourth Plain that serves authentic Mexican dishes seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Atmosphere: The restaurant occupies two spaces in a strip mall. The ordering counter fronts the kitchen on one end and a bar is located on the opposite end. Tables and chairs fill in the dining space on the open floor. Colorfully painted murals cover the walls. The ceiling is painted black and the lighting is florescent with natural light through the windows. Some bulbs are out, especially near the kitchen, so it’s quite dim in that area. There are no trash receptacles. Instead, there are several tubs where diners may place used items — paper, utensils, napkins, plates, etc. Condiments are located at the tables, other than those that require refrigeration, which are kept in a refrigerated unit off to the side of the dining area. Beverages are help-yourself.
What I tried: My dining companion and I started with carnitas tacos topped with cilantro and onion. They came with a lime wedge to squeeze over the top and I added a little bit of green sauce, as well. The tortillas were fresh and soft and the meat was tender and flavorful — seriously, the best ever, and I would definitely make a detour for these tacos. I settled on the carne asada combination with rice and refried beans and my dining companion had the burrito de fajitas, which is made with chicken and all the traditional fajitas ingredients in addition to shredded lettuce, wrapped inside an extra large flour tortilla. I sampled the burrito and found it very appetizing. The carne asada was just what I expected, so it did not disappoint. The rice was good, but the refried beans were extremely salty. My dish also came with freshly made corn tortillas wrapped in foil. They were piping hot and yummy. Chips and salsa are served to diners to munch on while they await their food. These were tasty. The salsa was a saucy consistency and had a pleasant, spicy kick.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Breakfast options include steak and eggs, ham and eggs, pancakes and four options for huevos: a la Mexicana (scrambled with chiles, tomatoes and onions), estrellagos (fried in oil), rancheros, and con chorizo. Tacos are available in asada, chorizo, pollo, pastor, tripe and lengua. A full range of burritos and combinations are available. Nachos, a torta, a chicken quesadilla, taquitos, sopes, and huarache (corn dough with toppings) are other menu options. Most of the seafood dishes are centered around shrimp. Kids’ options include chicken nuggets, a burrito, a quesadilla and a taco.
