I'm in the minority here - I know that it is owned by Florencio's owner but try to differentiate it somewhat at least. The food is practically the same as Florencio's, the free dinner nacho appetizer is the same, even the people that work here are the same. Oh, did I note the prices are practically the same? I never get out of Florencio's for less then $30 for dinner and the same thing happened here. The food was piping hot when it came out - because it was nuked. And when it cooled off, it was ice cold. The beans practically solidify. This is why I don't like microwaved food. What I had was OK - the burrito was very mediocre but the relleno was good. It wasn't worth what I paid. read more

My family and I have always come here since I was a kid. I always remember it being really good so I decided to go there recently for lunch and I wasn't disappointed. I got the burrito supreme with green sauce... so good. My co-worker really enjoyed it too, he also got a burrito supreme with green sauce. They give you chips and salsa as well as nachos while you wait. I'd definitely recommend it if you're in that area of town or you're stuck waiting at the DMV. You'll have time to take a number and stop in for a bite here. read more

Not very good. It was like Mexican food I make at home, and I'm a white girl with no Mexican background. Chicken quesadilla was so bland, no flavor to it at all. I had to drench it with salsa and sour cream and guacamole to get any kind of flavor. And my co-workers dishes didn't look that great either. I would not go back. In addition, they give you a basket of chips and salsa, and then after taking our order, they come back with a plate of nachos. We all look at each other and we were like "Did you order that?" No, they said it was complementary. So they give us a basket of chips and a plate of nachos in addition to the food you order. I'm not sure if this is normal but it seemed like a waste of food, they must go through a lot of chips. read more

Every time I head back home to visit I have to stop for the enchiladas, beans and a nice, cold horchata. I've been coming to this restaurant for years and remember being so excited as a child that they gave bean dip to accompany the chips and salsa. The waitresses are all very friendly and although the place is somewhat small (and gets busy), they've always maintained an attentive presence. Although I'm one who usually sticks to my favorite menu items, I have samples quite a few plates of my more adventurous family and friends and everything was delicious. If you want quality Mexican food in Merced, you should definitely give La Morenita a try! read more

We were just passing thru town and found these guys on Yelp and what an awesome find! We shared the molcajete and it was to die for, and the perfect amount of food for two, along with the free nacho starter. What incredible value! It was middle of afternoon so pretty slow and we were served fast and got to chat with the super friendly staff. Might have to stop in again on our way back thru town on Sunday :) read more

If you like Florencio's (which I do) then you will like this place. They have very similar menus and serve the same tasty food. These two restaurants are just on the opposite side of town but both are great. I have been going to La Morenita for quite some time now and have never been let down. I really enjoy the Molcajete or the Pollo a la Parilla, both are delicious! The chips and salsa served before the meal are great and definitely get my mouth watering before I get my plate of food. read more

Always a great place for good Mexican food. I've never had any complaints and the service is always friendly and quick.

Great service. They give complementary chips and dip! Burrito supreme is huge and not a bad price at $7. read more

La Morenita - BURRITO SUPREME!! - Mexican Near Me - Merced, California

I live for Chilaquiles! La Morenitas Chilaquiles' flavors are all there but unfortunately they're just way too soggy to eat and enjoy. This is my 4th plate and the consistency of the tortilla chips is just no bueno. Maybe I need to try a different plate? read more

La Morenita - a tray of food with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Merced, California

Well, folks, this isn't the Ritz - but you won't find any better food. This is a classic "dive", complete with the great food. I particularly like the chicken enchiladas with green sauce, in addition to their chips, salsa and cabbage that they bring when you sit down. However, if you want your socks knocked off, stop by on Wednesdays for their Albondigas. Awesome! And this is the only place I know that makes their meatballs with ground turkey. Love it! Whether you come to the restaurant or call it in to pick up, the service is warm, friendly and prompt. But if you come during lunch during the week, don't be impatient because it can get crowded. This is a local joint that everyone knows about and frequents as often as they can. The menu is a tad different on the weekends as I suspect the volume of customers is different. No matter. You can still find a terrific meal here. Again, be forewarned that these are "meager" surroundings. But who cares when you get a great meal, great service - all at a reasonable price? read more

Yum!! Just stopped for a quick bite and I'm so glad I read about the mocajete on yelp. Wasn't sure what it was, but everyone said such good things I thought I'd give it a try. Wow! It was amazing. Might have to spend the rest of our road trip with my pants unbuttoned! read more

All they need is air conditioning. I love the food especially the fried chicken taco, love the chili Rellanos. Good food good waitress's

This is easily one of the best places to get mexican food in Merced. Its a little place but the food is great. The complementary nachos supreme were a surprise and they were dlicious. I had a sampler platter and all three items were generously made and tasted great. The service was friendly and fast. Just be warned the food is authentic so hot means hot here. read more

Hands down this is my favorite Mexican Restraunt in Merced, my favorite dishes are the red enchiladas and burrito supreme! The waitresses are very attentive/helpful and the restaurant is very clean. I would totally recommend this restraunt to who ever hasn't tried it! read more

Driving through Merced googled a Mexican restaurant, La Morenita came up. The tree in front blocks your sign gps told me to turn right but the front of your restaurant doesn't look like it's a restaurant. Walked in and place smells like its age, old. Ordered a beer and it felt cool to the touch not COLD like it should be. We le the waitress know and she was quick to turn it into a michelada and let me have it free. The rice was bland and the mole poblano has nothing from Puebla in it. Hospitality is good but the food (if you're sober) is not to where it should be for a 4 star restaurant. My sober opinion. read more

Driving home from so-cal and starving near merced...got a recommendation from a friend to eat here. Total hole in the wall with amazing food! Had the molcajete combo dish, so so good!! Shared it and had plenty! Kids had Milanesa and chimichangas and loved them! Will go back and will recommend. Eat here you won't be sorry!! read more

Very good Mexican food in Merced (I would say 4.5 stars, but the service bumps it up). The service is very friendly and I have been given complimentary nachos each time that I have visited -- real nachos, just just chips! Their Molcajete is phenomenal. The inside is a bit small, but their outdoor area is shaded and definitely where I prefer to sit. They also have excellent carnitas; I believe it is only available on Fridays and Saturdays. read more

Another vote for the molcajete. After having spent over two years trying to find decent Mexican food in Merced, tried this place thanks to the yelp reviews. I'm a fan and will definitely be back. The red salsa that comes with the chips has a bit of sneaky heat, and the cabbage salsa is tangy/yummy. I wasn't sure what meat to get with molcajete. I asked the waitress and she recommended a mixture of chicken/beef/shrimp. I'm allergic to shrimp so went with chicken/beef. Both were really tasty along with the corn tortillas (flour is available), the guac/sourcream/pico de gallo that comes with it. Good depth of flavor without being overly salty. I liked the beans, an I'd say the rice was just ok. Partner had a combo with burrito/chili relleno with green sauce. Said the burrito was just ok, but that the relleno was very tasty and the green sauce really good. Service was great! The waitress really nice about answering questions. The place was busy with a huge variety of people/families. I would definitely return and recommend. read more

Decidedly Bland experience. Not sure why so many good ratings as the food is nothing to write home about. It won't kill you and a better option than other restaurants such as Burger King or iHop. read more

We've been coming here for several years and the food is always good, always fresh. The cooks and wait staff are attentive and ensure are food is hot and served quickly. We are always served an appetizer along with our meal, usually a bean dip on the house. This has been our go-to restaurant since we quit going to La Nita's. Good food, good service, good prices, what more could you ask for? read more

First, it's so uncomfortable to eat inside a hot restaurant. Please turn on the AC. The food is okay. I was disappointed with my meal today. Stuffed chicken quesadilla. The chicken was dry and had no flavor. Dry chicken is so hard to eat especially flavorless dry chicken. The cabbage was gross and not fresh. I usually enjoy my lunches there but today decided to have dinner. Waste of my money and time. It was so uncomfortable because it was so hot inside. I do not plan to go back. read more

The quality of the food was okay and a good portion size. What made this experience bad was the fact that we were over charged for our food. Our total should have came out to about $19 max and we were charged $22, this might have been why we didn't get an itemized receipt. read more

I heard good things about this but I got the Wednesday special Albóndigas and I was very disappointed. The caldo was super oily, I got ONE meatball, two pieces of carrots and squash, a huge jalapeño and 4 pieces of chayote. This was the worst meal ever! I'm very disappointed and just shocked how much was in there. I also got a side of beans they were alright but still it wasn't worth it. read more

The food I had here tasted terrible! I had a tostada and a taco. The meat was not seasoned well at all (mainly black pepper) and had a dry tough texture. I don't understand the rave reviews for this place. read more

Great service. Food is great. Take it from a Mexican - their food is authentic. Have an outdoor area too!

They have great food! Real authentic Mexican food. It isn't in the best location but for the best Mexican food, it's totally worth it. Not so expensive. read more

WHO THE HELL GAVE IT 5 STARS ? YOU LIED! You must have NEVER had authentic mexican food! First time here, won't be back! Dirty place, chips were stale, floors were dirty, bathroom was nasty! food was not good! STOP LIEING !!!!! read more

The food is so good one of the best mexican food places in merced. When we want to do a date night we usually go there. The food is a bit spicy but it is spicy good. read more

BEST MOLE POBLANO I HAVE EVER HAD! So full of flavor that I was going "Mmmm!" out loud when I got home with my takeout order. I happened across La Morenita while I was walking from the gas station home and I am SO happy I decided to go in despite the exterior making it look questionable. I just moved here from Orange County and so many people told me J and R Tacos was the best. I beg to differ. From now on, I'm bringing my business here. The service was friendly and fast, and the cashier seemed pleasantly surprised that I tipped her for my takeout order. read more

Great food, great service! WE were going back to the Bay Area from Yosemite and stopped by for a bite of lunch. The food was very good: good portions and deliciously spiced. Very reasonably priced also. The staff was not too busy, so they asked if they can play with our baby. We said yes, so she went back and wash her hands and then come and played with the baby. It's not really part of the normal dining experience, but it did enhanced a very good dining experience. Will stop by the next time in Merced. read more

Two stars just for the guac and salsa. The waitress put pork in front of us when we specifically asked for no pork. The food was also bland, had to load it with Tapatio sauce. read more

Rice and beans are really good! And the grilled chicken tacos are delicious. Service is excellent! The most authentic Mexican restaurant in Merced the rest are just simply taquerias read more

What a pleasant surprise! This is definitely a case of don't judge A book by its cover. This place is in the parking lot at the DMV and looked a little scary but the food is delicious. read more

I'm surprised no reviews here yet! This is Really Great Fresh Food. If you want authentic mexican food go here. I love there chicken enchiladas(red sauce), my wife likes shrimp enchiladas(green sauce) but just the chips and cabbage chili is wow....highly recommend. read more

This is about the best authentic Mexican restaurant in town! It is a small, out-of-the-way place with inside and outdoor (shaded) dining. The food is wonderful and the service is great! I have no complaints....just go try it! read more

Been coming here for years, never fails to amaze me. This place is delicious, and over the past year has gotten better. They now serve a small nacho appetizer! read more

I swear to you, I've been going here for about 8 years. Ever since I was a little girl. I love it! They USED to take a long time to serve the food but that was like two years ago. The wait is around 5-10 minutes. I love getting the Chilaquiles Verdes. That's actually the plate I got basically every time I went but I recently started changing it up. They're delicious though. The food is flavorful and authentic. I recommend this place for a delicious lunch/dinner. :) read more

La Morenita - Last time I went I tried the Cocktel de Camaron and it was bommbbb. - Mexican Near Me - Merced, California

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YUMMY! Love this place, me and hubby go there about once a week (pick up usually). Salsa rocks and the food is great. Service is wonderful if you eat there, too. Staff is polite and friendly. Check it out! read more

This place was recommended to me by one of the night clerks at the motel I stay at up the street awhile back. Little hole in the wall and not in the best neighborhood but really good food and excellent service by the ladies who work there. Try to the molcajete (sp?) However you spell it, it is exelente! They also make good enchiladas and sopas. That's about all I ever order so I can't speak for the rest of the menu but you get chips and salsa with it and the rice and beans are always good. You have to really look for this place as it sits back from the road. It's next door to the Department of Motor Vehicles and it's on a one way street so driving there can be tricky. read more

Our new favorite Mexican restaurant!! Now I know it doesn't look too inviting on the outside, but trust me, this place is AMAZING. Our wonderful server Tanya always kept our drinks full and checked on us often. My boyfriend got a combo plate with a tamale, burrito, and sope, and he couldn't finish it! I got Tanya's recommendation of Molcajete and it came out piping hot! There was soooo much flavor in both our dishes and our server was so sweet. This place may be small, but it sure is mighty!! read more