New restaurant is 'nacho' average eatery
Moe's Southwest Grill opens in North Brunswick
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — "Don't buy lunch from a clown."

"A burrito is like life: a well-hidden mess."

"When the chips are down, get another basket."

These are just some of the sayings that adorn the walls of Moe's Southwest Grill, which officially opened to the public on April 30 at its new location on Route 1 near Regal Cinemas in North Brunswick.

The menu features quesadillas, burritos, nachos, tacos and fajitas featuring steak, chicken, ground beef, tofu or vegetables, as well as a few salad selections. The names of the items range from "Joey Bag of Donuts" to "Homewrecker" to "Overachiever" to "The Funk Meister," just for fun.

The ingredients are fresh and locally sourced, and some of the products are organic. The black and pinto beans are prepared fresh and are not processed or canned. The spices come from corporate headquarters. The steak and chicken are grilled in a clamshell grill.

There are add-ons such as queso, guacamole, grilled peppers and onions, sautéed mushrooms and pico de gallo.

Chips and salsa, which are made fresh every day, are complimentary with every order.

For children, the menu features tacos, burritos and quesadillas in a kid-friendly size and price.

"It has a sort of healthier appeal to fast food. We try to give you fresh and fast at the same time," owner Jamil Panezai said, noting that tofu and salads are healthy, as well as "streaker" burritos made without the wraps and tacos eaten without the shells.

Another component to Moe's is its separate catering menu, which can accommodate up to 200 people. There are taco, nacho, fajita and salad bars available, and employees will deliver, set up and clean up.

Panezai, of Marlboro, and fellow owner Noraiz Khan, of Manalapan, along with Khan's brother, Kashif, of Marlboro, who is a silent partner, have been friends for a long time and searched for a food franchise to go into business together. After scouting various chains across the country, the men settled on Moe's because they enjoy Mexican food, and this was their restaurant of choice.

Panezai has had experience at Popeye's for seven years, and added the finance background of Noraiz Khan along with the IT experience of Kashif Khan to bring the 2,300-square-foot locale to Route 1.

"I think there is a diversity of people here. Everybody likes Fresh Mex," Noraiz Khan said. "[It's about] the energy, the environment, the friendly experience, the taste, the quality of fresh food."

Kashif Khan also noted that the restaurant has created 25 positions for local residents.

In a related matter, Panezai said he is "of course concerned" about the future of the business due to the economy, but that "in this climate, people do want to eat but they want to eat where they know they are going to have a good experience."

Moe's — which originally stood for Musicians, Outlaws and Entertainers but now centers around a mystery character — is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 732-297- MOES or visit www.Moes.com.

Contact Jennifer Amato at

jamato@gmnews.com.