Best Mexican place in Albert Lea best food best service . All of my food and service was on point read more

Plaza Morena Restaurant - Mexican sampler a mountain of good food - Mexican Near Me - Albert Lea, Minnesota

Great service tasty food served hot with a pleasant plate view. Reasonable prices and nice decor.

Celebrating some good news we were referred to Plaza for lunch and margaritas. Chimichanga and a shrimp fajita plates were generous portions and the super margaritas were just what we were looking for. Friendly and prompt service made for a pleasant and happy celebration. The food was Delicioso. read more

Always love coming here. I get their nachos every time because they are that good. The service is always fast and the people are friendly.

Decent Mexican spot in the half empty meal. Stopped here on a Saturday night for dinner. The chimichanga was good, but could've had more filling. The chili rellenos were delish though. Big margaritas at a decent price too. If we're in the area again, we'll stop back. read more

Plaza Morena Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Albert Lea, Minnesota

The food is good, the waitress was friendly, the atmosphere is lively, would recommend. The water glass fit the venue so 3 stars is the go to. Would recommend and definitely keep in mind that their hot sauce is actually very good! read more

See all

First, it's a very nice place -- very comfortable and well-decorated. However, the food was bland and pricey. The salsa was decent, and the guacamole was tasty. But that's as good as it got. For $13, the lunch special chicken fajita had little flavor and little chicken -- just six small pieces that looked more like chicken fingers than fajita strips. The combo enchiladas were equally flavorless. (The guacamole was $6 for a small bowl.) All in all, it was simply disappointing and definitely not worth a return visit. Maybe it was an off day for them, but the lack of seasoning and any trace of garlic (except for the rice) does not bode well for a Mexican restaurant. read more

We needed a place to stop for lunch on the way to Wyoming and this seemed a good fit, though the experience was a bit underwhelming. Sadly located in a mall that long ago ended its death rattle, the restaurant had more patrons than the rest of the shopping center combined. I don't think the food is solid enough to make this a destination when the few remaining other retailers close up shop. The hostess was friendly and our server was efficient, but one of our orders (a chimichanga without onions or peppers) was not correct, and the other entrees (including a ground beef quesadilla) were just so-so. I doubt that I will find myself in Albert Lea ever again, but if I did, I probably would try something else instead of Plaza Morena. read more

I love the fajitas and the free chips and salsa. Great place and great food. Like to go there once a month.

Had a very good experience! We had carnitas (very tender) and choripollo. The food was so good, quacamole was on point. Waitress was attentive. read more

This was very good Mexican food! Carnitas were delicious, service was fast and super margaritas were strong! Good thing we could walk back to our hotel (Best Western). Portions were generous and we had leftovers. read more

Plaza Morena Restaurant - super margaritas and fresh chips & salsa. - Mexican Near Me - Albert Lea, Minnesota

I'm so close to giving this place 4 stars. ---Pros--- First, this might be the best menu I have encountered on our cross-country road trip that has taken us through dining areas where food is just terrible. There was plenty of vegetarian options in all sections of the menu, which was a delight to see. The children's menu was also expansive and not limited to Mexican items, which not all children fully embrace (this is nutso, I know). The location is also in a very depressed "mall," for lack of a better word, which was a bit sad, but from what I can tell, the Mexican restaurant was in the best shape in the whole place. Both my husband's carne asada and my Mexian pizza were delicious, as was the rice that accompanied the dishes. ---Cons--- The super margarita I ordered was very syrupy. I guess that was their simple syrup/margarita mix? Whatever it was, it was a turn-off. The salsa did not taste homemade. I could be wrong, but it was very reminiscent of what comes out of a jar or can. Even those are somewhat minor, for me, they were major detractors from what was otherwise an OK meal. If they'd up their salsa game and margarita mix, this would be a solid 4-star dine. read more

Probably the worst margarita I've ever had. Just a huge glass full of what tasted like cheap, pre-mixed crap. Can I have my $8 back? The quesadilla was cut weird and almost half empty. The decor was old, boring and just blah. Will not be back. read more

I spend a decent amount of time in Albert Lea and was surprised to find this place tucked away in the corner at the mall... I was not expecting to find such a gem! I have definitely had better Mexican food before, but this was VERY good considering the location, and the fact that it is all the way down in Albert Lea. The service was very speedy, the drinks and food were reasonable, and the burrito that I ordered was big enough that I had it for lunch the following day! (Thank God for having a mini-fridge in my hotel room)! I will most assuredly be back as I travel back and forth from the citiies, I want to try a lot more off the menu! read more

Meh. Food was okay, not awesome, but not bad. I ate everything on my plate, which says something. One of my companions had a thing in a huge lava rock bowl he totally enjoyed, and it was crazy cool. The service was friendly and efficient up until we got our food and then the servers totally disappeared. The location does not do the place any favors in terms of atmosphere, and neither do the giant blow up bud lite bottles with Mexican hats hanging from the ceiling. I'd go back, but I'd check out some other places in the area before doing so. read more

Food was great!! Pretty authentic Mexican food, ordered the carnitas plate it was fantastic but it just needed some good authentic spicier hot sauces !! I'll come back anytime if I'm around the area. read more

Another great meal here. The people are so great!! The food is always good. A wonderful stop on the road. Don't miss it

This was an easy stop and pretty decent food! The service was great. We all got the fajitas and were extremely happy, plenty of food and very tasty! Clean and friendly, in a mall so the kids could run around and stretch their feet a bit! read more

We stopped here on our road trip. They actually have pretty good Mexican food for reasonable prices. The restaurant has quite a bit of seating. Clean restaurant and bathrooms. Waitress was nice enough but had too many tables assigned to her to take care of (there was a large group when we arrived that took up most of her time) boyfriend and I shared the morena special fajitas and it was more than enough and we aren't tiny people. The fajitas were chicken, steak, and shrimp. Everything was seasoned perfectly and wasn't too salty like Mexican food usually is. It's right in the mall but you'd never know because the mall is so quiet. Good experience aside from our waitress being preoccupied with too many other guests. Good product, mediocre customer service. Would recommend for someone craving Mexican food. read more

Plaza Morena Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Albert Lea, Minnesota

Good fast service. fresh chips and salsa nice music . Delicious burritos rice and beans I love to come here

Love this place at happy hour 2 buck taps and 1/2 apps. I always order of the Alcart my favorite is the Carneia Sauta Tacos and the rice is best I have ever had. read more

My wife and I drive through Albert Lea with some frequency during our ventures out of the Twin Cities. On the way back from our last trip, we both had a serious hankering for some Mexican. We love food, have some moderate foodie tendencies, but also love a good greasy spoon or dive spot. We rolled into this mall restaurant with some pretty limited expectations. Sitting in the middle of small town midwest mall world, how good could it be? Well - it could be very very good. And was. This isn't like dining on the beach in Guanajuato, but for eating in an American based Mexican restaurant - it was superb. I'd definitely place it in the 'greasy spoon' category - and to me that is a very good thing. Everything was quite cheese-covered - as one would hope - but cheese wasn't the only flavor, as is all too often the case with low-effort Mexican places (especially chains). My wife got her habitual chicken fajitas, which she loved more than usual. I tried them too and yea - they were fantastic. The chicken was super flavorful, savory w/ the perfect amount of char, tender, wonderful. Plenty of perfectly cooked (read: not pulverized and mushy) veggies, and a healthy sized portion of all. I got a plate of ... I think tacquitos (or a larger version) - which were quite flavorful as well - especially with the side of the cheese sauce was included. I am usually bored as hell with the customarily bland rice and beans that come with most entrees - but these demanded respect and devouring. Both were way more flavorful than virtually any I've had in my 40+ years of loving Mexican food, and there were plenty. I took home leftovers and couldn't wait until my night shift to eat them as planned, I had to have them at the next socially acceptable opportunity. They were that good. While I can't say we'll stop here every time we drive through (since we rarely stop for a meal during our short trips - this may have been a first) - we definitely won't hesitate to return if the opportunity presents itself, and would even plan a stop if we were leaving town w/ plans to be driving through the AL at meal time. Eat here! read more

Food was standard Tex Mex style, so you know what to expect. Nicely decorated and clean. Slow service, especially for Mexican. Other than that, your standard Mexican place. If we come back, we'll definitely need to ask for the hot salsa, as noted in another reviewer's post, to add some kick to our meal. read more

Came in for lunch, party of 5. All enjoyed their meals. I had the #8 combo, which was two tacos and a tostada. The tacos were one each of chicken and beef. I preferred the chicken, good flavor and moist. The ground beef taco on the taco and tostada was greasy, and had a weird texture. Followed the tip from another reviewer to get the hot salsa and that was a win! As for service, lackluster. Our waiter seemed annoyed when we asked for anything extra. read more

Hubby and I decided to try this place for dinner and were very impressed with service and food was absolutely outstanding we were very pleased with freshness of the food and the sauces were wonderful and prices are very reasonable and great quality food choices..we will be back. read more

This is our go-to restaurant on Saturday nights. Delicious food, great service (we practice our Spanish with the servers!) - we feel like family! Chips & salsa are free (salsa is fresh-made in restaurant) & delicious! We usually get cheese dip as well & it is very good. I usually order from the a la carte menu. Favorites are the tamales & the carne asada tacos. My husband tries a variety of items from the menu & we haven't been disappointed yet! If it's your birthday, be sure to let them know! They have a special celebration just for you :) read more

Excellent Mexican food. The chicken fajitas are always very tender. The portions are large and probably enough for two meals, except for the biggest eaters. All of the usual Mexican dishes, chips and salsa and margaritas! Have eaten here many times over the past few years and the food has always been consistently good. It's family owned and operated and they seem to take pride in providing a very nice dining experience. The restaurant is in a mall, so it is a very casual setting. There are several large screen tvs that often have sporting events displayed. There is a "patio" that opens on the mall, so it is all indoors. read more

This is hard to find. It's INSIDE the mall. Food was good. If you are expecting Tex-Mex it isn't. It has a little different flavor. They were very accommodating for no rice & beans & a special or order of napali (cactus leaf) grilled. If I were here again I would eat here but am only traveling thru. read more

See all

Think Carlos O'Kelly's Light or a glorified Taco Bell. We were told to get the flautas and my wife did. It looked like a thin chimichanga with a whole lot of tortilla wrapped around it. No pork or shredded beef (she asked), so she got the chicken instead of the ground beef. So-so according to her, and I didn't bother trying it as I usually do. I had enchiladas that I ended up tearing apart and putting the guts on tortilla chips (like a nacho). We were going to try a dessert, but they seemed hurried and so we didn't bother. They didn't ask us anyway. You can sit outside of the place, Al Fresco....... kinda. It is located inside a mall, after all. Maybe a Minnesota thing. read more

It's fast and it's good. We order the #10 (steak burritos) almost every time- they really are that good. Queso is on point, chips and salsa is great. Did I mention they were fast? read more

Stopped here on our cross-country trip. Carry out was very good. I liked it - try it!

Terrible service Never got meal even after other tables came and went. We left. Good point was free chips and salsa. read more

Best restaurant in Albert Lea! Amazing food, great prices and friendly staff. We eat here all the time and have never been disappointed. Very very good! read more

This restaurant is in the Northbridge Mall. Food is good and portions are large. We usually eat half and take the rest home to make another meal. If you want leftovers at lunch, ask for the dinner portion. They also have a more spicy dipping sauce; ask for the "tomatillo sauce" (small extra charge). My favorite menu item is pork tamales. There are many variations of tamales, all authentic, and it's personal preference in terms of filling-to-masa ratio, etc. These match my profile. YMMV. Other items on the menu I especially like are the Morena Especial which is a combination of carne asada and shrimp and the pollo con crema. The menu is extensive and even includes American items like toasted cheese sandwiches for the kids. read more

This place was great! The wait staff was really friendly. The Chimichanga I had, while cheesy on top, was also well spiced and full of both meat and peppers. It also had a very nice guacamole to go with it! read more

Suprisingly good, authentic Mexican food. We had beef fajita and pollo pueblo and both were delicious. Recommended.

Food is avg. at best.. Service always is slow. waitstaff seems like they want to be at home. For a family owned place thats not good..

Stopped in here on the way home for Sunday snack margaritas. They were excellent, as was the salsa. They even opened the bar for us and turned football on. Great service. read more

We weren't expecting fine cuisine in Southern MN farmland but this restaurant is very good. The service is fast, wide menu variety, portions are generously sized, and everything tasted great. Prices are reasonable and the staff were friendly and courteous. If you're zooming across Hwy 90 and don't want fast food, stop here! It's just a few blocks south of 90- but it is inside the Northbridge Mall so you won't see the actual restaurant from the road. If you're staying at the Best Western or AmericInn Lodge you can walk to it. Five-star rating is relative to expectations for a mall restaurant in a small town, but overall we had no complaints. read more