El Molcajete Moya 2 — Restaurant in Virginia

Having spent my young adult years growing up in El Paso, Texas, across the border from Juarez Mexico, I was fortunate enough to experience true Mexican dining. Yes, I’ve also had Tex-Mex, and I’ve had the New Mexico - Mex, which I also enjoyed. I’ve also traveled into Mexico and experienced some authentic food. This restaurant truly provides authentic Mexican food from Jalisco Mexico. Traditional Mexican food isn’t always slathered with sauces and buried under cheese. This restaurant holds true to authentic Mexican cooking. Understandably, a lot of Americans are used to Tex-Mex with a lot of cheese. So when you get authentic Mexican food, please don’t expect what you typically have eaten from say Las 3 Margaritas or On the Border Mexican restaurant chains. They are catering to the naive American palate. You can taste the tradition of the family recipes and commitment in their food. I understand it may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but the restaurant is providing exactly what they are advertising. Educate yourself on what authentic Mexican Food means from whatever region a restaurant is saying their food represents. Then you will be able to adjust your expectations. On that note, I’ve passed this place many times on my way to Quantico, and I’ve always been curious about their cuisine. Today was the day and lucky for me to stop in and have lunch. They have taco specials on Thursdays for $1.99. I was in heaven. Their tacos are the traditional street tacos you can get in Mexico. They offer five or six different choices of meat and they are absolutely delicious. Personally I like a little more salt on my meat, but otherwise they were perfect. They were served on the traditional small corn tortillas with the chosen Carne Asada, Carnitas, and Al Pastore pork, chopped white onions, cilantro and lime accompanied by a delicious green sauce which was quite delicious and not overly spicy. Very tasty! While I was waiting on my lunch order, I checked out their menu and decided to order their Chamora (pork leg portion/hock, which is cooked and then crisped on the bone) served with warm corn tortillas, a Napal (cactus leaf) salad and refried beans, to take home for my husband. OMG, he couldn’t have been happier! It’s so tender. Again, maybe a little more salt to take it over the top. This place is a hidden find, impeccably clean and creative Hispanic decor. They offer a full bar. Your order may take a minute, because everything is made fresh. That being said I didn’t wait very long (10 minutes). The staff is friendly and attentive and the chef/owner Señor Hector Moya, is also out in the front of house making sure customers are taken care of. (Btw, in case you’re concerned they speak English fluently, with a beautiful Spanish accent!)

To anyone who would like a taste of true Mexican food from Jalisco Mexico, definitely give this place a try. I will definitely...

My family and I decided to come to this restaurant while passing through the area due to the good reviews and decent prices. Once there, we realized it was mediocre at best. First, I asked for horchata, which I have had freshly made horchata at countless other Mexican restaurants. What they served here was the loose powder packet horchata. (I do not recommend their so called aguas frescas, because they are most definitely not freshly made). If you’re expecting complementary chips and salsa which Mexican restaurants are famous for, that’s also something you’re expected to ask and pay for. I also don’t recommend doing this mistake, the salsa was disgusting and watered down. Not to mention the bottled water that they also charge for. Granted, many different restaurants, venues, and public places charge for sparkling water, cucumber water, etc. but I’ve never seen a restaurant CHARGE for Costco bottled water, which I found extremely greedy to do so on their part. It seems to me they want to charge like a fine dining restaurant when it’s not even deemed decent. Second, the food was dull and lacked the Mexican taste that you can find in many other actual authentic Mexican restaurants across the US. This restaurant prides itself on getting its authenticity from Mexican family recipes but whoever is making the food obviously needs to learn to cook real Mexican food, and they need to stop being so boastful and greedy.

Before the owner rudely replies to my review in a redundant, uneducated manner. I’m aware that I can stay home and save money (which is not a problem, thank God); but since I have it and I want spend it I don’t want to go to a place that’s going to charge for cheap Costco water and still have tasteless food to go with it. I’m also aware that I could eat my mom’s authentic Mexican food but while traveling several states away, that would be difficult. I have the privilege to travel and eat at many different restaurants and even when I’ve been unhappy with anything concerning food or drinks, no manager or owner has ever replied to any reviews or requests the way this person does. I would not recommend this so called Mexican...

Any Marines Or Non-DOD Personnel that live in the Stafford/Quantico Area DO NOT ORDER OR DINE FROM HERE!

I came in here because it was a short drive from the Marine Corps Museum. That was the only upside. We ordered drinks and as my father wanted to ask about chips and salsa/other dips. The waitress walked off without even bothering to find out what my father was asking about. Then we found out that their queso dip was made from Cheddar Cheese and was not Queso Blanco, like many other and more authentic Mexican establishments. The only other time I have seen yellow-orange queso was from a jar of Tostitos. Upon receiving our meals, my girlfriends Fajitas were brought out with minimal pieces of meat. Not to mention the fact that the shrimp was not de-veined, which is a health code violation because that is literal fecal matter, but the shells were still intact. The beans that came with everyone’s meals had an unsettling aftertaste and the beans for my younger brother were cold. I have had better Mexican food from places like Applebee’s and Chili’s. I feel that it would be safer for me to prepare and eat a meal on the floor of a Walmart Bathroom than returning here. Before any accusations of me not knowing what “authentic” mexican food is, I do. I lived in the Southwest of the US, where there are plenty of immigrants who cook out of their home and their food and portion sizes actually match what they ask for in terms of price and quality.

Response: Sir/Ma’am, I never tried to change your menu nor did I violate any rules of any restaurant I’ve been to. I never ask to adjust anything I order, I take the meal I order as is every time. My main issue was the Fecal Matter That I Watched Get Pulled out of the shrimp with the shell still intact. Check Your Staff And Your Procedures Before Someone Inevitably Gets Sick...