I've been coming to Monterey for many years and always am looking for a good place to eat. I have finally found it. Mo's River Road Grill has the best food that I have found in the area. The service is friendly and great. If you're looking for a casual spot to eat that has a welcoming environment and great food. This is the spot. read more

Service was good the place has plenty of seating inside and outside. We stopped after driving for a couple hours and the food was mediocre. Nothing really stood out about the food they have a huge menu to choose from so we all felt a bit overwhelmed. Taco though plain lacked flavor (meat) and the burrito we got was just an average carne asada burrito. I forgot to take pictures since we took it to go and were very hungry. read more

We found this place on yelp and were excited to try it since the food looked really good online. The establishment was very cute and clean. The hostess/waitress was very nice and polite. I ordered a Ribeye with shrimp and my bf ordered the chicken piccata. We also ordered a glass of Pinot noir each. When our food came out, I was very disappointed at first glance. I am not sure what cut of meat they served me but it was definitely NOT A RIBEYE. It was bland and DRY. The shrimp were so rubbery I couldn't eat those either. The food almost appeared and tasted as it was sitting under a lamp for a while. The side of mashed potatoes and their vegetable medley were good though. I mentioned the Pinot noir earlier because when we received the bill, we noticed we were charged for Cabernet which was more expensive than the Pinot. We didn't say anything because at that point we just wanted to get out of there. read more

We have been going to Mo's off and on for years, the main problem is consistency. Some times its really great and other times its not. For the prices they charge it should be excellent every time, the food is getting to be microwaved and not cooked there, they are short handed, so they are saving money on labor. That being said the staff are polite and do a good job. Its just the food is below par. our last visit was a few days ago and we were not happy. read more

Stopped here on Christmas Eve after a day at the Monterey Zoo. The reviews were exceptional and it was conveniently close so we decided to stop. Parking is adequate, the facility clean and staff friendly and helpful. We opted for the honey brie with toast, crackers, walnuts and cranberry's as an appetizer. it was definitely bigger than we expected and absolutely delicious. For a meal we had a burger and beef tacos and a bowl of parmesan noodles for the little one. The burger was a well seasoned old fashioned traditional burger. I would have preferred it to be a bit wider to make holding it in the bun easier but that aside it hit the spot. The sweet potato fries were good. The beef tacos were good, and the noodles perfect for a picky child. We had a mixed cocktail drink and all i can say is you get your moneys worth on the alcohol. It was a pretty quiet day, maybe only 2-3 other customers in the restaurant. But the experience was positive. Would definitely consider revisiting this location in the future. read more

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Stopped on a Sunday around 4 pm. Not to many people inside. It is clean and well lit. A bar on one side and tv's for any game that may be on. We ordered a chicken sandwich and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The fettuccine Alfredo was good. The sauce was a little thin when it came out but thickened some after it cooled. The chicken was sliced at a good size and it was seasoned well. The grilled chicken sandwich was also good. A bread that didn't get soggy and fall apart but also didn't tear your mouth apart. The pesto sauce is real good and with it didn't miss the lack of mayonnaise on the sandwich. The fries had nice color but still a little soft in the middle and not real crunchy on the outside. Would come back again, maybe on Friday when they have prime rib. read more

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We ordered the French dip, classic cheeseburger, and kids chicken strips. The food was delicious, and the server was super kind and helpful. The food came quick and it was nice and hot. We were attended too promptly as well. The inside was nice and clean, and it had a cozy feel for the family. Highly recommend if you're in area. read more

We are staying at Vision Quest and needed to recharge by grabbing and drinking before evening tour. We decided not to venture too far and parked the car at this hidden gem. When we come in, we were greeted by Claudia who was hostess, busses, waitress and bartender. She made recs of what to get and they did not disappoint. Nice establishment and plus they have a full bar. Claudia rocks and is awesome read more

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Stopped to get gas and saw this restaurant so before we headed down the 4 Hour Dr. we decided to take our chances on eating here. Service was good, food was delicious, a good variety. Tried lots of different plates. Nice comfortable place. There is a bar and dinning seating area. read more

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Best hidden gem! Got gas and was starving. We were very surprised this is a 5 star restaurant! Wonderful prices and warm friendly service and excellent fresh delicious food! Has a cute bar in there as well! read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Best French dip and Cesar! - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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First time in a long time. MO's River Road Grill has an enlarged the bar area from the previous establishment and did a great job remodeling the dining room and bathrooms. I went for lunch and I had the Chicken Pesto Sandwich with optional sweet potato fries for a few bucks more. Great service and the food came out quickly. The outdoor patio looks like a great spot for that after wine tasting trip. read more

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fantastic food and friendly staff. it's literally the cutest spot to go to. very ma and pa vibe in the best way. all of the food was fresh and delicious but my fave was the cheesy bread. the bits of bacon on it.... chefs kiss!! read more

Outstanding sandwiches in a unique location but still has excellent ambience and service.

Great little neighborhood bar and Grill. Very clean great service terrific food, reasonable prices. It's not cheap but you get what you pay for. Great place to hang out with friends. Big screen, TVs, and a full bar. read more

I wish I wasn't writing this as I used to enjoy this place. What I thought was just a bad day has now turned into a regular experience at Mo's. One person now works everything on Fridays. Expect to be here for at least an hour to have one drink. And wait for another half an hour with an empty glass in front of you before you might get service. Food it is fine but it would be faster to drive someplace else and order. Not sure what is going on here maybe they are changing their business model and not wanting in person customers. read more

This nicely designed restaurant has all the ambiance to be a great locals restaurant. But then we understood why we were the only patrons in the restaurant during a Friday lunch hour. The friendly young server, Noah I believe, let us pick our table and took our drink order. He returned and took our lunch order promptly ...so far so good. We were going to have a great lunch; unfortunately not. We heard the kitchen ring a bell about 15 minutes later when our order was ready and in the window. A few minutes go by and then we hear a 2nd bell. About then, two men enter the restaurant and we hear Noah taking their takeout order. Then we heard a 3rd bell. 10 minutes since the first bell. My wife and I cringed as we finally received our lunch. We knew how this lunch was going to turn out before we had our first bite. Sure enough, both of our burgers and fries and onion rings were cold. We went ahead and ate part of our meals and took the rest home to reheat. I'm sure this is not what the Owner's want to have happen, but unfortunately we are new to the community and won't be back to Mo's based upon this experience. There are many more area restaurants that we can't wait to try. Mo's needs better help, and maybe better training. The empty restaurant at a Friday lunch hour tells me that this restaurant is in trouble. read more

My mom, brother and I stopped here for dinner after getting gas at the station next door, and we were so happy we did! On a Friday evening, this place had a good amount of people, but was not overly crowded by any means as of about 6pm. It was a great environment with excellent natural lighting if you go during daylight hours. I got a bacon cheeseburger, with fries and some AMAZING ranch! My brother got some delicious pasta, and my mom got some yummy loaded nachos! We were all able to get something we wanted because of their great variety on their menu! I also got a glass of wine, the Riesling they had called "Kung Fu Girl" was a great recommendation from one of the staff who was also working the bar area. I believe my mom had gotten a margarita, though I can't remember the exact drink, she said it was excellent! If you are driving near the area looking for a bite to eat, I would definitely recommend stopping by this restaurant! Thank you to the delightful staff! read more

Mo's River Road Grill - View across from the restaurant! - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

Definitely a hidden gem with great food for the price. Close to Leguna Seca Raceway as well. Will be coming back.

We stopped by during our roadtrip from SoCal to Monterey. This was the only decent looking restaurant on Yelp in this remote area. Upon entering, I immediately regretted stopping here and wished we had toughed it out and waited until we reached Monterey. Let me just start out by saying that the Yelp photos made this place look fancier than it really is. The space is tiny and located next to a gas station. Inside the floor creaks and it's drafty. Our waitress was young and seemed friendly. I decided to go for the steak salad. Now the salad itself was not bad! The presentation looked great with tons of colors and the ingredients were fresh. With a place that has "grill" in its name, you'd think they're good at making meat. Nope! Do not order the steak or probably any meat here. It was inedibly dry, bland, hard, and cooked to death. Need I say more? My mom did like her fish tacos though. So maybe stick with something like that. My dad got the fajita with chicken and that was alright. The meat was overcooked though. Anyways, stop here if you're starving and absolutely must make a stop. But be warned. Oh and it's not cheap! read more

Our waitress was Claudia. She was exceptional. Her adult beverages were amazing. The pulled pork sa was the best part of our spring break trip. If you don't stop here after the zoo, you're ruining your life. My kids said, "Daddy, tell them your kids loved it!!" read more

Mo's River Road Grill - What's left of my pulled pork sandwich... - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

Breakfast was FANTASTIC. 10 out of 10. We got the breakfast sandwich, breakfast burrito, french toast and pancakes. Even the little things like the potatoes, fruit bowl and salsa were excellent. HUGE kudos to the chef, and great staff. read more

Waited for ten minutes to be seated or served or anything. There were other tables, also looking around for staff. Seems like it's open with no one working. read more

Great foot, excellent service, quick and best part clean restrooms. they take good care for the customers

We love this place and go weekly. They have the best French-dip and sweet potato fries.

Exquisite! Super impressed. Everything about this place was top notch. The menu was simple and everything we ordered was out of this world! We started with a Cobb salad and some Potato skins. Best Potato skins I've ever had and the blue cheese...just wow'd us. The NY steak was cooked perfectly and was so tender. The mashed potatoes were from scratch and the vegetable's grilled to perfection, not soggy or cold. The fish tacos were battered thin and crispy and not drenched in oil like a lot of places do when frying fish. They were served with Mexican rice and black beans ghat were full of flavor. Almost like having a home cooked meal at a chefs house. We will definitely be back! The portions were very generous and the prices were very reasonable. Our server was on his "A" game and had a great attitude. A very clean, warm and inviting place. 9.6/10 read more

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I can't comment on the food because we walked in on a Tuesday evening around 6 pm and there was no one there to greet us or take us to a table. It was also hard to figure out which door to come in by. There were two servers heading to tables who studiously ignored us. So after wandering around the whole place, we walked out and ate somewhere else. A woman who we realized had also been waiting, walked out as well. I don't know if that is typical but other reviews suggest it is. Too bad. It is a rather small place and kind of noisy. Closing at 8 pm seems silly since it is not even dark yet in the summer. I only found out about this place by accident, now I see why. read more

Excellent food! Prime Rib Friday is great! Generous portion for a good price! They carry a nice selection of local wines, but you are also able to bring in your own bottle for a corkage fee. So many great foods to choose from, and all made from scratch. Terry the owner is usually there checking in on you. Great service, Beautiful restaurant, and very friendly staff. Give them a try today. read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Prime rib Friday!!! We paired this luscious dinner with an Ecluse red from Paso Robles! - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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I will definitely be coming back for the artichoke dip one of the best I have ever tasted the cheesiness and tenderness hearts oh so good. read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Artichoke dip delicious - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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Food was excellent, I had chicken piccata. My husband had a steak, which he would have liked it to be more seasoned which is why I give it 4's. Service was awesome. Great atmosphere. Can't wait to go again. read more

Service was very good from a sweet young blonde girl on a Saturday afternoon. My lunch partner ordered Nachos with steak and guacamole which looked delicious. It was actually tri-tip which was cut in small pieces. The outside char had a nice little kick seasoning BUT also had a little seasoning of what seemed to be sage. Neither of us are a fan of sage for anything other than stuffing on Thanksgiving. So it was odd, especially on nachos! I have been dying to try the prime rib dip here which was the purpose of going here. The meat was very tender but the ratio to meat to the giant roll was not sufficient. The prime rib had a bit of a smoked flavor too which I'm also not a fan of on all meats. I don't mind smoked meats but Prime Rib (in my opinion) should be roasted. I might try going back, but I'd have like a million questions for the poor person who waits on me. Like what seasonings are used, how was it cooked, if it says steak, is that really steak or tri-tip, etc....., If everything is smoked and that's just their thing here, maybe someone could respond and let me know. If they have smoked brisket or beef ribs I'm way down with that! read more

Tried this place out after seeing it on Yelp. Drove out to the outskirts of town. The restaurant is a cute little place and well kept. Service was okay, server checked in on a couple of times. The food looks promising on their yelp page. A variety in their menu but.. Boy were we wrong.. Ordered breaded calamari, more like microwave fish sticks. Order two New York Steaks asked for medium rare. Instead we received well done. (Picture attached) Will not be returning. 0/10 do not recommend read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Breaded Calamari - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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Food was terrible. Got the steak quesadilla. Way too pricey for what I got, and just not tasty at all. Service was OK.

This is my second review. Back in 2019 I gave this restaurant five stars. I loved this place. The French dip and onion rings were my favorite in town. Unfortunately, I went there yesterday to order my usual. I moved to Sacramento , so I was looking forward to it. I was so disappointed. My French dip had very little meat. (It use to have lots) It was all bread and burnt. The onion rings were no longer the large crispy rings, but thinner burnt rings. My entire meal was over cooked. My friend ordered a tasteless steak, and there wasn't any salt or pepper on any of the tables to season the steak. I'm voting to go back to your original meals. They were so delicious, and I loved your place. I gave you two stars because your artichoke dip was delicious and we ate all of it. read more

I am mad at any reviews that are less 5 stars. I am so glad I ignored them. This is our new date night place. This is the best place to eat in salinas. It's worth the 5 minute drive. Pulled pork sandwich,out of this world. Artichoke dip I could drink. It would be amazing on anything. Steamed artichoke perfect balsamic drizzle with basil dip perfect. Pulled pork sandwich, my husband is in love. Can't wait to come back. Owner, Terry, so personable. Come here soon. read more

Stopped by coming down from Monterrey and color me impressed! We got the kids Mac and Cheese and Spaghetti, 2 classic Cheeseburgers, and the chicken Santa Fe. The bacon on the classic is extra but well worth it. They pile it on and its cooked to perfection. Everyone loved their burgers. The chicken in the Santa Fe is seasoned exceptionally well. Almost made me wish I didn't get the cheeseburger! Lol The kids food was on point as well. If you are looking for great food and great service, stop by read more

Someone asked if I had eaten at MO's River Grill. Yes I have. My husband and I ordered a French Dip sandwich. One each. It was really good. It was hot and yummy. It was so big we both couldn't eat it all. We both ate half. Next day it was still good. I would recommend Mo's read more

Don't sneeze or you will pass this little gem. We went because we were staying at the Monterey Zoo more on that later. Terrific meal. I ordered the Cobb salad. Super fresh with the hard boiled egg sliced finely, The blue cheese was plentiful throughout. I ordered the balsamic vinegar rat and the blue cheese dressing on the side. The blue cheese dressing I could bottle up and live on forever teaming with chunks of blue cheese just enough viscosity tonight wilt The lettuce. My guest ordered the ribs amazing again enough for two maybe three people it came with big chunks of potatoes And a nice serving of beans. This is one of those places you wouldn't normally find but I suggest taking a drive for lunch or dinner. read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Cobb salad. - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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Potato skins and breaded calamari were fresh, hot and very good. Chicken Caesar salad and classic cheeseburger, very good, nice and fresh. Service was friendly. Loved this place. read more

Mo's River Road Grill - Wine Bars Near Me - Salinas, California

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We ordered a nachos from the starter menu to split. It was delicious and plenty for 2 people to enjoy! Service was excellent and the restaurant was clean. Great place to stop on your way through Salinas. read more

We have eaten here twice in the past month and have loved the food and prices. The new owners have a great variety on their menu and the food was delicious. Great Job!! read more