All menu item photos property of Moe’s
Welcome to Moe’s!
If you’ve ever walked into a Moe’s Southwest Grill, you know the excitement that rushes through your body every time you hear those words.
Personally, I find Moe’s to be some of the best Southwestern food out there, so this guide was born out of my own selfish desire to build the perfect meal at Moe’s.
Whether you’re counting calories, boosting your protein intake, or simply trying to make mindful food choices, you’re in the right place.
In this post, I’ll dissect the entire Moe’s Southwest Grill menu, providing calories and nutrition facts, so you can find the healthiest options for your diet.
If you’re new to my blog, I love breaking down fast-food and restaurant menus. The goal isn’t to label food as “good” or “bad”, but rather to present the nutrition facts so you can make informed choices that fit your goals.
Remember, everyone is different. What may be a healthy choice for one person might not be the same for another.
All I can do is present you with the facts and let you make your own informed decisions, so that’s exactly what we are going to do.
Does Moe’s Use Healthy Ingredients?
When you hear “fast food,” health isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, Moe’s Southwest Grill might just break that stereotype.
With over 20 fresh ingredients, including all-natural adobo chicken, organic tofu, and handcrafted guac, Moe’s seems to use only the best ingredients.
They cook their protein on the grill every hour and prepare their seasonal salsas and pico de gallo fresh daily. According to their site, they even chop nearly 34 pounds of tomatoes in-house each morning!
With such dedication to fresh ingredients, it’s clear that Moe’s truly cares about the health aspect of their food.
In fact, you can even compare Moe’s to Chipotle in terms of their commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients. Both offer a wide variety of ingredients and the ability to customize your meal to fit your nutritional needs.
Plus, Moe’s goes the extra mile to cater to various dietary preferences. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-sensitive, or just into nutrient-dense foods, there are options for you.
Since Moe’s is still technically fast food, many people may still be put off by it, but it’s clear that they have some quality options to offer.
How Ordering at Moe’s Works
If you’re not familiar with Moe’s, the process is the same as ordering at Chipotle.
Unlike traditional fast food like Burger King or McDonald’s, you can customize every meal to be exactly what you would like.
First, you select a base—burrito, burrito bowl, stack, quesadilla, taco, nacho, salad, or even a kid’s meal. Then, you choose your protein and pile on the toppings to build your own masterpiece.
While you can order some premade options, the appeal is building your own meal from scratch. Here are all of the options you have to choose from:
- Burritos: You can build your own burrito, filling it with your favorite ingredients. Moe’s also offers a “Homewrecker Burrito”, basically a large traditional burrito, which is one of their fan favorites.
- Bowls: Similar to the burritos, you can build your own bowl with your choice of protein and any other ingredients you’d like. And, just like the burritos, the Homewrecker Bowl is a popular choice.
- Stacks: The Stack is a unique offering that combines a quesadilla and a taco. It’s served with your choice of protein, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, and Moe’s Famous Queso, stacked between two crunchy corn shells wrapped in a grilled tortilla. Think of it as Moe’s version of a Crunchwrap.
- Quesadillas: You can build your own quesadilla, which is grilled, cheesy, and stuffed how you want it. Or, you can opt for a premade option like the Chicken Club Quesadilla.
- Tacos: You can build your own tacos, choosing between 1, 2, or 3 tacos and then filling them however you like.
- Nachos: You can build your own nachos, which are served with Moe’s Famous Queso, your choice of protein, beans, and pico de gallo.
- Salads: You can build your own salad, which is served with chopped romaine, beans, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, your choice of protein, and either chipotle ranch or southwest vinaigrette.
Protein Options Offered at Moe’s
Protein is arguably the star of every dish at Moe’s. Whether you favor chicken, beef, or a vegan option, there are lots of options at Moe’s.
At the time of writing this, here are all of the protein options that Moe’s offers, along with their nutrition facts:
- Adobo Chicken: 148 Calories, 8g Fat, 2g Carbs, 19g Protein
- Pork Carnitas: 131 Calories, 8g Fat, 1g Carbs, 17g Protein
- Tofu: 108 Calories, 8g Fat, 2g Carbs, 10g Protein
- Chicken: 130 Calories, 4g Fat, 0g Carbs, 23g Protein
- Ground Beef: 124 Calories, 7g Fat, 2g Carbs, 11g Protein
- Steak: 104 Calories, 5g Fat, 3g Carbs, 15g Protein
- Fish: 106 Calories, 4g Fat, 1g Carbs, 20g Protein
If you want to go the vegan or vegetarian route and aren’t a fan of tofu, you can opt for extra beans to get your protein fix in as well.
Moe’s Menu Nutrition Facts
Since you assemble your own meal at Moe’s, there are no set nutrition facts for every item. Instead, we can break down the entire menu into sections to see just how many calories are in each item.
First up, we have our bases. This includes all of the tortilla options, as well as salad.
If you’re ordering a burrito bowl, you will likely use rice as your base, which is included in the next graphic along with the rest of the fillings.
The highest calorie options here are the tortilla chips for nachos, as well as the crispy tortilla salad bowl.
While the taco tortillas are the lowest in calories, be mindful of your portion size. While 50 calories are certainly not a lot, 3 tacos is a common serving size, so the calories from the tortilla + fillings can add up.
Next up, let’s dive into the fillings & toppings. I mean, you don’t just want to eat plain tortillas…
If you go with a burrito bowl, you’ll double the serving size of either rice or quinoa. For example, a burrito bowl with white rice will have a base of 300 calories, followed by whichever toppings you choose.
Personally, I always choose double meat to maximize my protein intake. If you choose to do the same, you simply have to multiply all the nutrition facts for meat/protein by two.
Note that I chose to leave basic veggies off of this list, such as grilled onion and grilled mushrooms, because the calories added by them are negligible.
And last but certainly not least, we have to take into account the sides.
Chips & queso is the obvious culprit to keep in mind if you are watching your calories. With a side of chips being nearly 400 calories and a cup of queso nearly 600 calories, that’s an extra 1,000 calories in your side alone.
Now, don’t hear what I’m not saying. I absolutely love chips and queso, and I’d never tell you to not eat that.
However, if you are watching your calories, just be mindful. If you don’t absolutely need queso, even the guacamole will save you a decent amount of calories. But, salsa is always tried and true, and even a large portion will contain very few calories.
5 Healthy Eating Tips at Moe’s
Since you can assemble your meal however you’d like to at Moe’s, it’s very easy to create the ideal healthy meal for your preferences.
Since we all define “healthy” differently, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but here are some tips you can use to make your meal a bit healthier overall.
- Go for Grilled: Opt for grilled proteins like chicken or steak. They are lower in calories and fat compared to other options like pork carnitas.
- Choose Whole Grains: If you’re going for a burrito, choose the whole grain tortilla. It’s similar in calories to the regular tortilla, but it offers more fiber and is a more nutritious choice.
- Pile on the Veggies: Most veggies at Moe’s have negligible calories. They can add volume to your meal, making you feel fuller without adding many calories.
- Watch Your Sides: Sides like queso and guacamole can add lots of extra calories. Use them sparingly or skip them if you’re watching your calorie intake.
- Mind Your Portions: A double portion of meat might sound great, and it is an easy way to double your protein, but it will also double the calories. Be mindful of your portion sizes when ordering if calories are a concern.
Hidden Calorie Traps at Moe’s
While Moe’s offers plenty of healthy options, some menu items can be sneakily high in calories.
Here are a few things to watch out for:
Chips and Queso: While delicious, these can add significant calories to your meal. A cup of queso alone is 568 calories!
Salad Dressings: Dressings, especially creamy ones like chipotle ranch, can be high in calories and fat. Opt for lighter options or use sparingly. I always like to keep my salad dressing on the side and dip my food into it rather than pouring it over the top to help me manage the portion.
Tortilla Salad Bowl: While a salad might automatically seem like a healthy choice, the tortilla salad bowl is 455 calories before you add any fillings, so it’s one to watch out for.
Remember, knowledge is power.
Being aware of these hidden calorie traps can help you make more informed decisions about your meals.
Examples of Healthy Orders at Moe’s
We ran through all of the nutrition facts and macros at Moe’s, but what if you don’t feel like figuring out your own meal from scratch?
Well, my friend, I’ve got you covered! I’m going to give you some example orders at Moe’s that you can order based on your specific goals…
Low-Calorie Orders at Moe’s
If weight loss is your goal, or you are simply watching your calories, here are some delicious low-calorie Moe’s orders:
- Chicken Salad: Chopped Romaine (17 Calories), Adobo Chicken (148 Calories), Black Beans (129 Calories), Pico De Gallo (16 Calories), and a side of Vinaigrette (77 Calories). Total: 387 Calories, 12g Fat, 24g Carbs, 28g Protein
- Veggie Taco: Two 5.5″ Corn Tortillas (106 Calories), Tofu (108 Calories), Grilled Onions (25 Calories), Grilled Peppers (25 Calories), Pico De Gallo (16 Calories). Total: 280 Calories, 14g Fat, 24g Carbs, 13g Protein
- Chicken Burrito Bowl: Seasoned Rice (150 Calories), Adobo Chicken (148 Calories), Black Beans (129 Calories), Grilled Onions (25 Calories), and Guacamole (53 Calories). Total: 505 Calories, 16g Fat, 47g Carbs, 26g Protein
High-Protein Orders at Moe’s
If you’re looking for high-protein meals, and you’re not concerned about your calories, you can also assemble any order with double meat and cheese. For anyone out there bulking or looking to build muscle, here are two great ones to try:
- Protein-Packed Burrito: 12″ Whole Grain Tortilla (300 Calories), Double Adobo Chicken (296 Calories), Double Shredded Cheese (242 Calories), Black Beans (129 Calories), and Guacamole (53 Calories). Total: 1020 Calories, 36g Fat, 60g Carbs, 62g Protein
- Double Steak Powerhouse Burrito: 12″ Whole Grain Tortilla (300 Calories), Double Steak (208 Calories), Cilantro Lime Rice (169 Calories), Pinto Beans (120 Calories), and Shredded Cheese (121 Calories). Total: 918 Calories, 32g Fat, 110g Carbs, and 59g Protein
Keep in mind, these meals are high in calories due to the double portions of chicken and cheese, but if your goal is bulking, they’re great choices.
Low-Fat Orders at Moe’s:
- Lean Chicken Burrito: 12″ Whole Grain Tortilla (300 Calories), Chicken (130 Calories), Grilled Onions (25 Calories), Grilled Peppers (25 Calories), Diced Cucumbers (5 Calories), and Shredded Lettuce (5 Calories). Total: 490 Calories, 12g Fat, 61g Carbs, and 34g Protein.
- Fish and Veggie Delight: 12″ Whole Grain Tortilla (300 Calories), Fish (106 Calories), Grilled Mushrooms (25 Calories), Diced Tomatoes (5 Calories), and Shredded Lettuce (5 Calories). Total: 441 Calories, 12g Fat, 56g Carbs, and 31g Protein.
These options are perfect for those who are watching their fat intake but still want to enjoy a flavorful and satisfying meal.
The Lean Chicken Burrito and Fish and Veggie Delight provide a good mix of protein, carbs, and veggies, making them not only low in fat but also well-rounded meal options.
Low-Carb & Keto Options at Moe’s:
- Carnitas Guac Salad: Chopped Romaine (17 Calories), Pork Carnitas (131 Calories), Guacamole (53 Calories), and Kaiser Salsa (10 Calories).
Total: 211 Calories, 13g Fat, 10g Carbs, and 21g Protein
- Beefy Pico Salad: Chopped Romaine (17 Calories), Ground Beef (124 Calories), Guacamole (53 Calories), and Pico de Gallo (16 Calories).
Total: 210 Calories, 13g Fat, 12g Carbs, and 15g Protein
Both the Carnitas Guac Salad and Beefy Pico Salad are excellent choices for those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet, with high protein and fat content to keep you satiated.
To bump up the protein (and calories) a bit more, each salad option can be ordered with double meat as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Have some more questions about Moe’s menu? While I’m certainly not a Moe’s expert (working on it, though) I can answer some quick common questions.
- Are there vegan options at Moe’s? Absolutely! Moe’s offers a variety of vegan options including organic tofu as a protein choice and plenty of fresh veggies. Note that while their black beans and pinto beans are vegan, their refried beans contain pork.
- Does Moe’s offer gluten-free options? Yes, Moe’s has many gluten-friendly ingredients. You can opt for a salad, a burrito bowl, or tacos with corn tortillas. Remember to always inform the staff of your dietary restrictions so they can take necessary precautions to avoid cross-contamination.
- How does Moe’s compare to other fast-food chains in terms of healthiness? Moe’s stands out due to its fresh ingredients and customizable options. Compared to other fast food chains, Moe’s offers a wider variety of fresh veggies and proteins, allowing you to create a balanced, nutrient-dense meal. While similar to Chipotle, Moe’s offers more vegetable options.
- What are the lowest calorie options at Moe’s? The lowest calorie options at Moe’s would be their salads with lean proteins like chicken or tofu, and filled with veggies. Skip the dressings or go for lighter options like salsa or hot sauce.
Conclusion: Is Moe’s Healthy?
Like any restaurant, Moe’s offers a range of options from low to high calorie, and the healthiness of your meal ultimately depends on your choices.
With fresh ingredients and the ability to customize your order, it’s easy to create a meal at Moe’s that fits your dietary goals.
Remember, balance and moderation are key. No single meal will make or break your diet—it’s what you eat consistently over time that matters most.
Whether you’re looking for a low-calorie salad, a high-protein burrito, or a veggie-packed taco, Moe’s has something for everyone.
It’s all about making informed choices that align with your health goals, but also enjoying your food along the way.
I mean, what’s life without a little guac?
