Morena’s Mexican Cuisine

Newly opened, we had this restaurant on our radar. We finally got the opportunity to visit...OMG!! The food was incredibly delicious!! We had Shrimp Ceviche to start, accompanied w Margaritas and Micheladas. The ceviche was SO FRESH!! We chose Carnitas and Chile Verde for dinner. The taste and flavor was mind blowing. Food took some time to come to the table so come with time on your side...it was well worth it.

Gloria and Ángel were super friendly and helpful on deciding what to eat. Food was excellent and delicious. I got tacos gobernador and wow. I asked the name of the chef because it was really good!!! Aurelio was the chef’s name. And finally the fresh cucumber water was amazing. Will definitely be back🩵

Good food, good drinks and good music. Staff were very friendly and attentive. Highly recommend! We got green and red Chilaquiles with carnitas and Asada and one green chicken enchilada.

💣 it was really good. Very nice. I wanted tacos de papas and they made me some fresh ones, even though they weren’t currently on the menu 🙌 I definitely recommend the carne asada plate too.

Nice place just a little pricey but great food and service. The price compared to other places in the area were but pricey but completely worth it. The service was excellent and the food portions were big but not really big. The tortilla chips with salsa were plentiful at the beginning while the plates were a bit smaller. The quantity of rice and beans very small. The place was new and clean but lacked a bit of personality. There was access with a big clean bathroom. Would definitely recommend if your in the area.

One of the best Mexican food I ever had! I like especially the Calamari taco! Very good service too. Highly recommend!

Everything from the service to the salsa was spectacular!

This was my first time trying tonight and I am impressed. The food here is fresh, high quality, and amazing 🤩 I had the chicken burrito and my husband the steak. The salsa is superbly made and full of flavor and the meats are well seasoned. Most definitely coming back .

The food was amazing! Our server was America and she was very attentive and friendly. This restaurant is now for sure in my top 5 places to eat in Riverside.

Well, coming here for the second time and bringing the family to try out this new Mexican spot that makes everything fresh. We had a wonderful experience and everything was delicious. Angel made great suggestions and the staff was very attentive to us and made sure everything was clean. Food was full of flavor! I highly recommend it to try it out.

+1

I absolutely love carnitas. That said, I am very picky about them. I have only had carnitas from very few places that really wowed me. My first bite of the carnitas taco left me absolutely speechless!! The meat was richly tender with a light crisp. Just perfect. Even the left overs reheated were impressively pleasing. I am also very picky with carne asada as I have rarely found commercially made carne asada to be flavorful enough. Again, I was very impressed at the marinade used on their carne asada! While I do not typically order dessert, the caramel stuffed churros with ice cream were heavenly! We also received incredible service! The vibe is relaxed. One of if not the best Mexican food restaurants in Riverside! Since this is in a shopping center there is plenty of parking.

+2

We tried this spot because it was my daughter's birthday and she likes Mexican food. Also we wanted to meet in the area. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the food amazing but the staff was very helpful and even overlooked a mistake that my daughter made when ordering. This is the kind of thing that really brings that rating up to 5 stars for me. They go the extra mile on top of having a nice clean place and great food. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.

Delicious food, great service, pretty good micheladas and absolutely love their mole. Wonderful owners, caring willing to help. They donated food to my son's football team. Thank you for donation to the Ramona Rams Football team. We all appreciate you. Making a difference im community.

This was our inaugural visit to this establishment. The cuisine was exceptionally palatable. The staff demonstrated both professionalism and attentiveness. I wholeheartedly endorse this venue, particularly highlighting the Burrito and Pollo a la Chipotle.

wes really good lunch, my wife had the chilichiles, red sauce wes very good. I had a wet steak burrito, marinated steak tasted great, burrito sauce was very good also. mom had fried chicken. it was breaded well and very moist, fries were seasoned well also.

Randomly picked this place after seeing 4.7 🌟. It was very good food. Tasted a couple dishes I'd never had let alone heard of, which were both fantastic and delicious! (Aztec soup and the Chipotle chicken with onion, mushrooms.) The salsa had a delicious smokey flavor...I did add a little salt but still was great. The service was friendly and inviting from the moment the door opened...a woman behind the bar immediately smile and waved hello. Definitely will be back!

The food was good! Chilaquiles had a bit to it well prepared! Tacos dorados were great too. Salsa all three were very good had its unique individual flavor and fresh! We will be back to try the menu! The service was good too he keep my drinks filled

This is the second time I’ve eaten at this restaurant —first time was brunch and this time was for dinner. The menu is tight with a nice amount of choices that should accommodate most taste. The food is full of flavor, color and artfully arranged! You can get your typical Mexican fair (enchiladas, burritos, etc., etc.) but, it also has a variety of other flavors and dishes. We had CAMARONES AL MOJO DE AJO, SAUTEED WILD SHRIMP, ONION, TOAMTO. PEPPERS, WINE, GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE served with roasted veggies -it was delicious and POLLO ALA CHIPOTLE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ONION, MUSHROOMS, WINE, CHIPOTLE CREAM SAUCE served with rice and avocado. Everything on the plate was well seasoned and each item had its own flavor profile that complimented one another. All the food that was coming out of the kitchen (which is visible if you sit at the bar in the middle of the restaurant) looked really good. I was asking the waitress names of dishes she was taking to tables after seeing them! If you like shrimp I would definitely recommend having it here! Service is good and everyone (front and back of the house) helps each other out. One tiny request —please extend open hours until 9pm on a Friday and Saturday.

Amazingly delicious! We drove out here and could not be more happy with the choice, first time here long time returnee! Had the mole pollo, green enchiladas de camaron and taco gobernador. Agua frescas of jamaica and horchata were bomb!

A very quaint, small restaurant. Very clean and the staff was very friendly and attentive. The food is excellent and I believe reasonably priced. We had a family gathering and everyone's food looked really good. Definitely other dishes I plan on trying.

I came after happy hour started, so I tried a couple things off the happy hour menu. The birria flautas were really good. The cheese quesadilla was pretty basic. The salsa is really flavorful. I would have been good if it been a bit hotter. The staff are really nice and attentive. I will have to come back and try something off of the regular menu.

Food was rich and flavorful. Hands down to the cooks using the best ingredients. Salsa was fire with the chips. Service was super friendly. Clean restaurant also.

We ordered the Azteca Soup, Empanadas with Chicken Tinga, Cheese Enchiladas, and Beef Tacos. We thought we received generous portions of what we ordered. For the price we felt it was worth it, the food was good very flavorful.

I’ve been here a couple of times and the food was really great with some nice variations if you want something other than traditional Mexican food. During my last visit I ordered the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. It was amazing! The shrimp were big and perfectly cooked. Also, to my surprise, the vegetables on the side were out of this world! I could have eaten an entire plate of them. My wife had the chicken fajitas that were delicious and large enough for a second meal. The service is friendly and prompt. The atmosphere is clean and fairly comfortable. No booth seating for those that need a little more comfort, but we enjoyed it. We will definitely be back

We found this place hidden along side the dollar tree. We saw reviews and wanted to try it out. As soon as we walked in We felt welcomed immediately. Both servers greeted us and sat us. They got our drink order and brought our drinks and suggested we try the happy hour guacamole and chicharrones. They have such a good selection of food but we ultimately decided on some burritos. They burritos were soooooo good! I highly recommend a wet burrito with the steak and pablano green sauce. My son got the Quesodilla and fries and seemed to like it as well. I think our favorite part was the guacamole! We will be back!

If you're looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends outstanding food, impeccable service, and a clean, inviting atmosphere, Morena's is the place to be! I had the carnitas plate, and my girlfriend enjoyed the shrimp ceviche. Both dishes were nothing short of perfection. The carnitas were tender, flavorful, and perfectly complemented by the fresh sides. The shrimp ceviche was a burst of freshness, with vibrant flavors and high-quality ingredients that made every bite unforgettable. For dessert, we indulged in their freshly made churros with ice cream, and it was the highlight of the meal. The churros were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and paired beautifully with the creamy, rich ice cream. A truly indulgent treat that ended the meal on a high note. The service at Morena's was top-notch. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. It’s clear that they care deeply about their customers' experience. The cleanliness of the restaurant also deserves praise. It’s evident that the team works hard to maintain a spotless environment, and we noticed the staff consistently tending to the dining area to keep everything in order. The atmosphere at Morena's is warm and welcoming, with a modern yet cozy vibe that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're visiting for a casual meal or a special occasion, this spot has you covered. I highly recommend Morena's for anyone craving exceptional food and excellent service. This was a dining experience I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to return!

Beautiful restaurant, amazing food and great service. This is my new favorite Mexican Restaurant. Chips and salsa are delicious. I ordered the shrimp burrito with green sauce and it was excellent. My husband has a bean and rice burrito and potato tacos. The tacos were so good and crunchy. For dessert we had churros and ice cream. Can’t wait to go back and try more items.

Stopped by here after several friends said the food was authentic Mexican food. Place was steady with business. Staff was accomadating and friendly. Our server Anna was pleasant and accomadating. Food came out in reasonable amount of time. The presentation of the food. Was pleasing to the eye. The taste was amazing. Chips and salsa where on point. Chips were crispy and flaky. Salsa had a great taste to it. The main course had great flavor. Carne asada was cooked to perfection. Tacos were tasty as well. Morenas lived up to its rating 4.8 on Google. Stop by and let them earn your business. I'm sure you'll be back. Morena's has Four location's Riverside Huntington Beach Lake Forest Mission Viejo

Kami

Randomly picked this place after seeing 4.7 🌟. It was very good food. Tasted a couple dishes I'd never had let alone heard of, which were both fantastic and delicious! (Aztec soup and the Chipotle chicken with onion, mushrooms.) The salsa had a delicious smokey flavor...I did add a little salt but still was great. The service was friendly and inviting from the moment the door opened...a woman behind the bar immediately smile and waved hello. Definitely will be back!

jane ramirez

The food was good! Chilaquiles had a bit to it well prepared! Tacos dorados were great too. Salsa all three were very good had its unique individual flavor and fresh! We will be back to try the menu! The service was good too he keep my drinks filled

Nyle

This is the second time I’ve eaten at this restaurant —first time was brunch and this time was for dinner. The menu is tight with a nice amount of choices that should accommodate most taste. The food is full of flavor, color and artfully arranged! You can get your typical Mexican fair (enchiladas, burritos, etc., etc.) but, it also has a variety of other flavors and dishes. We had CAMARONES AL MOJO DE AJO, SAUTEED WILD SHRIMP, ONION, TOAMTO. PEPPERS, WINE, GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE served with roasted veggies -it was delicious and POLLO ALA CHIPOTLE GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ONION, MUSHROOMS, WINE, CHIPOTLE CREAM SAUCE served with rice and avocado. Everything on the plate was well seasoned and each item had its own flavor profile that complimented one another. All the food that was coming out of the kitchen (which is visible if you sit at the bar in the middle of the restaurant) looked really good. I was asking the waitress names of dishes she was taking to tables after seeing them! If you like shrimp I would definitely recommend having it here! Service is good and everyone (front and back of the house) helps each other out. One tiny request —please extend open hours until 9pm on a Friday and Saturday.

Tonya Gonzalez

Amazingly delicious! We drove out here and could not be more happy with the choice, first time here long time returnee! Had the mole pollo, green enchiladas de camaron and taco gobernador. Agua frescas of jamaica and horchata were bomb!

Henry P

A very quaint, small restaurant. Very clean and the staff was very friendly and attentive. The food is excellent and I believe reasonably priced. We had a family gathering and everyone's food looked really good. Definitely other dishes I plan on trying.

Scott McCutchan

I came after happy hour started, so I tried a couple things off the happy hour menu. The birria flautas were really good. The cheese quesadilla was pretty basic. The salsa is really flavorful. I would have been good if it been a bit hotter. The staff are really nice and attentive. I will have to come back and try something off of the regular menu.

Jim Smith

I’ve been here a couple of times and the food was really great with some nice variations if you want something other than traditional Mexican food. During my last visit I ordered the Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo. It was amazing! The shrimp were big and perfectly cooked. Also, to my surprise, the vegetables on the side were out of this world! I could have eaten an entire plate of them. My wife had the chicken fajitas that were delicious and large enough for a second meal. The service is friendly and prompt. The atmosphere is clean and fairly comfortable. No booth seating for those that need a little more comfort, but we enjoyed it. We will definitely be back

Livinglife93

We found this place hidden along side the dollar tree. We saw reviews and wanted to try it out. As soon as we walked in We felt welcomed immediately. Both servers greeted us and sat us. They got our drink order and brought our drinks and suggested we try the happy hour guacamole and chicharrones. They have such a good selection of food but we ultimately decided on some burritos. They burritos were soooooo good! I highly recommend a wet burrito with the steak and pablano green sauce. My son got the Quesodilla and fries and seemed to like it as well. I think our favorite part was the guacamole! We will be back!

Tina Marmion

We ordered the Azteca Soup, Empanadas with Chicken Tinga, Cheese Enchiladas, and Beef Tacos. We thought we received generous portions of what we ordered. For the price we felt it was worth it, the food was good very flavorful.

Peter Hernandez

If you're looking for a dining experience that seamlessly blends outstanding food, impeccable service, and a clean, inviting atmosphere, Morena's is the place to be! I had the carnitas plate, and my girlfriend enjoyed the shrimp ceviche. Both dishes were nothing short of perfection. The carnitas were tender, flavorful, and perfectly complemented by the fresh sides. The shrimp ceviche was a burst of freshness, with vibrant flavors and high-quality ingredients that made every bite unforgettable. For dessert, we indulged in their freshly made churros with ice cream, and it was the highlight of the meal. The churros were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and paired beautifully with the creamy, rich ice cream. A truly indulgent treat that ended the meal on a high note. The service at Morena's was top-notch. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed without being intrusive. It’s clear that they care deeply about their customers' experience. The cleanliness of the restaurant also deserves praise. It’s evident that the team works hard to maintain a spotless environment, and we noticed the staff consistently tending to the dining area to keep everything in order. The atmosphere at Morena's is warm and welcoming, with a modern yet cozy vibe that makes you feel right at home. Whether you're visiting for a casual meal or a special occasion, this spot has you covered. I highly recommend Morena's for anyone craving exceptional food and excellent service. This was a dining experience I won’t forget, and I can’t wait to return!

Jessica J

Beautiful restaurant, amazing food and great service. This is my new favorite Mexican Restaurant. Chips and salsa are delicious. I ordered the shrimp burrito with green sauce and it was excellent. My husband has a bean and rice burrito and potato tacos. The tacos were so good and crunchy. For dessert we had churros and ice cream. Can’t wait to go back and try more items.

Sean P. Cunningham

Stopped by here after several friends said the food was authentic Mexican food. Place was steady with business. Staff was accomadating and friendly. Our server Anna was pleasant and accomadating. Food came out in reasonable amount of time. The presentation of the food. Was pleasing to the eye. The taste was amazing. Chips and salsa where on point. Chips were crispy and flaky. Salsa had a great taste to it. The main course had great flavor. Carne asada was cooked to perfection. Tacos were tasty as well. Morenas lived up to its rating 4.8 on Google. Stop by and let them earn your business. I'm sure you'll be back. Morena's has Four location's Riverside Huntington Beach Lake Forest Mission Viejo

Walked in was greeted almost immediately. Was sat down to a table but we were waiting on a friend they were fine with that. They brought us cafe de olla. The coffee was ok what I loved was we had free refills. I had the chilaquiles Verdes with a side of steak. The chilaquiles had a good taste not spicy at all and the steak was very soft. Definitely coming back again. The music was a little loud but I did enjoy it. Chips and salsa were good as well. The service was excellent 👌

I stumbled across this delicious Mexican restaurant in Riverside and was pleasantly surprised! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was even better. I went on a busy Saturday afternoon, but despite the crowd, our waitress America was amazing. She was attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. America checked on us often and made sure we had everything we needed. It’s rare to find such great food paired with exceptional service I’ll definitely be coming back!

I highly recommend Morenas Restaurant in Riverside! The food is absolutely delicious — everything was fresh, flavorful, and made with care. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. A special shout-out to America, our waitress, for her excellent service and friendly attitude. She was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. And you have to try their Café de Olla — it tastes amazing! Perfectly sweet, rich, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for a place with great food, fair prices, and outstanding service, Morenas is definitely worth visiting!

We weren’t sure of where to have lunch on a Sunday. We ended up here. The reviews looked good. So we took a chance. I was impressed. From beginning to end ;service was on point. Meal options were great and reasonably priced. When our meals were delivered they did not disappoint. My daughter got the carne asada plate with enchilada, hubby got the chile relleno and taco, I was craving enchiladas. Green and red platter. The meat was grilled to perfection. Very tasty. Our plates were hot. The decor and ambiance are family friendly. They do have a bar. Plenty of seating. Definitely on our list of places to go for a meal.

Ameerah

This was my first time trying tonight and I am impressed. The food here is fresh, high quality, and amazing 🤩 I had the chicken burrito and my husband the steak. The salsa is superbly made and full of flavor and the meats are well seasoned. Most definitely coming back .

Nancy Boites

Walked in was greeted almost immediately. Was sat down to a table but we were waiting on a friend they were fine with that. They brought us cafe de olla. The coffee was ok what I loved was we had free refills. I had the chilaquiles Verdes with a side of steak. The chilaquiles had a good taste not spicy at all and the steak was very soft. Definitely coming back again. The music was a little loud but I did enjoy it. Chips and salsa were good as well. The service was excellent 👌

Some Canine

We tried this spot because it was my daughter's birthday and she likes Mexican food. Also we wanted to meet in the area. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the food amazing but the staff was very helpful and even overlooked a mistake that my daughter made when ordering. This is the kind of thing that really brings that rating up to 5 stars for me. They go the extra mile on top of having a nice clean place and great food. I definitely recommend giving this place a try.

Karen Daniela Lopez

I stumbled across this delicious Mexican restaurant in Riverside and was pleasantly surprised! The food was absolutely delicious, and the service was even better. I went on a busy Saturday afternoon, but despite the crowd, our waitress America was amazing. She was attentive, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. America checked on us often and made sure we had everything we needed. It’s rare to find such great food paired with exceptional service I’ll definitely be coming back!

Quantum Air Conditioning

I highly recommend Morenas Restaurant in Riverside! The food is absolutely delicious — everything was fresh, flavorful, and made with care. The prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. A special shout-out to America, our waitress, for her excellent service and friendly attitude. She was attentive and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. And you have to try their Café de Olla — it tastes amazing! Perfectly sweet, rich, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for a place with great food, fair prices, and outstanding service, Morenas is definitely worth visiting!

Mama Liz

We weren’t sure of where to have lunch on a Sunday. We ended up here. The reviews looked good. So we took a chance. I was impressed. From beginning to end ;service was on point. Meal options were great and reasonably priced. When our meals were delivered they did not disappoint. My daughter got the carne asada plate with enchilada, hubby got the chile relleno and taco, I was craving enchiladas. Green and red platter. The meat was grilled to perfection. Very tasty. Our plates were hot. The decor and ambiance are family friendly. They do have a bar. Plenty of seating. Definitely on our list of places to go for a meal.

raymond camargo

I came in on my lunch break. was greeted by a lovely lady at the front, the fact they serve breakfast after 11 was a big deal for me. Every plate that came out before mine was made with Excellent presentation and plating. The house salsa is killer! 🔥 Great selection of beers on tap. I will definitely return !

Had a great lunch today with a group of friends here. Very good mexican food and the staff are great! I found my new go to! You have to try it!

After going to this restaurant, about five times now I find that the food is reasonable in cost and above average in quality. The employees are always extremely friendly and helpful I found that they even have five different Tuesday special plates, and all of them very good They have a salad that they serve with pomegranate dressing and walnuts. It’s delicious about six dollars. They have good and authentic Chile Riano’s Free chips and salsa with every meal and their red and green salsa are both delicious I have tried their two item combo plate with shredded beef taco and the Chile Riano it’s really good $18.50 comes with beans and rice

An authentic Mexican restaurant serving real Mexican food. The atmosphere was great with a lot of locals coming in for lunch. We came in at 12:30 pm the place wasn't packed but have a few customers they only have two servers and it took a while for our orders to be taken. A third server came in and started sweeping their flooring so it's a clean restaurant. They did give us free chips and salsa. The salsa was not too hot or bland a really good recipe I ordered the chicken burrito with black beans and Mexican rice my wife got the steak burrito with black beans and Mexican rice.

Roberto T

An authentic Mexican restaurant serving real Mexican food. The atmosphere was great with a lot of locals coming in for lunch. We came in at 12:30 pm the place wasn't packed but have a few customers they only have two servers and it took a while for our orders to be taken. A third server came in and started sweeping their flooring so it's a clean restaurant. They did give us free chips and salsa. The salsa was not too hot or bland a really good recipe I ordered the chicken burrito with black beans and Mexican rice my wife got the steak burrito with black beans and Mexican rice.

This place was recommended by a couple of different friends. They really enjoyed. The food wasn't bad but it all really lacked flavor. Items we had were shrimp enchiladas, crispy chicken taco and chili rellano. Nothing was great. Maybe the chips and salsa were my fave. Service was fine. Although, my dinner was served a bit after my husband's. We thought that was strange. Not excited about giving a sub par review but it was just okay.

Sad to say experience was sub-par. Aztec soup was alright but nothing special and the service was nonexistent. Hope they do better for others.

$30 for a burrito, and they got my order wrong. Came in to grab a quick bite to-go. Nice looking restaurant. Spoke with the gentleman behind the counter. Asked what meats they had. He said all they have was steak, chicken, & shrimp. Looked at the menu they had on the counter, Shrimp burrito $18. I ordered that and a jamaica, the guy said the burrito comes with beans and rice, and he’s gonna put the salsa on the side so the burrito doesn’t get soggy. Awesome! Total comes out to $30.99.Okay well, that escalated quickly. I’m hungry, so swipe the card let’s get the food and go. They gave me chips and salsa while I waited, nice! When I get home I’m expecting a whole plate with shrimp burrito and rice & beans on the side. I open the box and think, oh man they forgot the rice and beans, not nice. Did he mean the rice and beans are inside the burrito? I cut it open and find the rice and beans, but surprise no shrimp. It’s steak. Where was the miscommunication? $31? for a burrito and drink? Check out the picture, decide for yourself. Is that worth $30 to you?

If you like being in a poorly decorated & overpriced subpar food restaurant this is a great spot. The stale chips and flavorless salsa were below a Taco Bell quality. Male staff was polite, female staff had a rude demeanor.

The horchata is so watered down it was the worst horchata I’ve had my entire life. I paid $50 to get the food door-dashed and it was a scam. Their food was flavorless. My chilaquiles were not even a little spicy, lacked any flavor, and were jammed with raw onions. My husband’s burrito was like 80% rice like they were too cheap to put anything else and he said the meat that was there was rough and chewy. You could find better food at any fast food chain. Honestly Miguel Jrs would’ve had more flavor and been a fraction of the price. The horchata is the biggest insult because I know this restaurant knows the horchata is so watered down it’s basically nothing.