Moe's Southwest Grill Returning to Phoenix With 5 Locations

Moe's Southwest Grill is finally returning to the Valley.Photo byDushawn JoviconUnsplash

Phoenix is no stranger to taco and burrito restaurants, and yet a popular chain, dubbed a Southwest Grill, has been absent from the food scene in the Valley for 14 years now. However, following a recent announcement, the chain is making its return to metro Phoenix, with a planned five locations opening in the coming years. 

Moe’s Southwest Grill first started in Atlanta back in 2000. The burrito restaurant, is most known for the way employees greet guests when first walking through the front door (“Welcome to MOE’S!). The restaurant followed a similar method to other burrito chains, such as Chiplote, where guests can either order a set burrito from the menu, or build and craft their own. 

Moe’s Southwest Grill previously served customers throughout the Valley up until 2010, when every location was closed. For lovers of the chain, this is all set to change in the coming months, as new franchise owners for the region have agreed to launch at least five locations over the next several years.

The first of the five locations will open at Pebblecreek Marketplace, located at 15535 West McDowell Road in Goodyear. There is not an exact date set for the official opening, though currently, the restaurant plans to be open sometime this coming September. As for the other four locations no specifics have come out yet, and until any kind of lease or property purchase is made it’s not possible to authenticate any other specifics, other than four restaurants will open in the coming years (the franchise agreement indicates all five locations must be opened within the next five years). 

If you have not been to a Moe’s Southwest Grill before, or if it’s been a while, as mentioned earlier, you can build your own burrito, bowl, quesadilla, tacos, or other goodies from scratch. If you would like to go with one off the menu, you can choose the Homewrecker (an original menu item from 2000 that includes guac at no extra charge), Chicken Club Quesadilla, the Stack Quesadilla (similar to a Taco Bell Crunchwrap, with both hard and soft-shelled tacos used in its making, plus there are build-your-own options for everything from salads to nachos, tacos, and burritos. 

Free chips and salsa come with every meal, so you’re never forced to pay extra for the side item. If you want to ratchet it up a notch you can add handcrafted guac, made from scratch daily and queso dip. If you are eating inside the restaurant the chips are bottomless.