Morena's Mexican Cuisine Lake Forest Menu
Welcome to Morena's Mexican Cuisine Lake Forest, located at 22651 Lake Forest Dr, CA. This restaurant is a treasure trove of authentic Mexican flavors and fantastic service. Patrons rave about the inviting atmosphere and the cleanliness that enhances the dining experience.
The menu offers a delightful array of dishes, from the cucumber-jalapeno margaritas—refreshing and perfectly balanced—to the rich mole poblano sauce, enhancing the tender chicken breast. Don't miss the crispy carnitas and the succulent red tamales, which feature expertly crafted masa. Guests can also enjoy complimentary crispy chips and roasted salsa while they wait.
Morena's commitment to excellence shines through in every detail, as evident from the quick service and affordability. Whether you're sharing a meal with friends or enjoying a family outing, a visit to Morena’s promises a delightful culinary journey.
Morena's Bocadillos
Guacamole De Mexico
Hass avocado, cilantro, serrano chiles, fresh lime juice, garnished with pico de gallo, cheese and served with tostadas.
Flautas De Tinga
Fried flour tortillas filled with smoked shredded chicken, queso fresco, sour cream, guacamole, and chipotle aioli.
Quesadilla De Vegetables
Flour spinach tortilla, jack cheese, mushrooms, epazote, shredded squash, baby arugula, guacamole, and sour cream.
Empanadas De Tinga
Fried corn pastry filled with smoked shredded chicken, queso fresco, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, chipotle aioli, and garnished with cilantro.
Los Chicharrones
Pork cracklings. Served with avocado salsa and a sliced lime.
Quesadilla
Carnitas 17.00 Chicken 18.00 Steak 20.00 Shrimp 20.00 • Flour tortilla, jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Nachos
Carnitas 17.00 Chicken 18.00 Steak 20.00 Shrimp 20.00 • Fresh corn tortilla chips, jack cheese, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and topped with ranchera sauce.
Calamari Rings
Fried calamari in buttermilk and smoked chile.
Ceviches
Fish 17.00 Shrimp 19.00 Octopus 19.00 • Citrus marinated fresh fish or shrimp, avocado, tomato, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro.
Shrimp Cocktail
Cooked shrimp, served with tomato juice, cucumber, tomato, cilantro, onion, lime juice, avocado, saltines, and tostadas.
Flautas De Camaron
Fried flour tortillas filed with shrimp, roasted corn, bell pepper, onion, celery, and jack cheese. Garnished with mango relish, sour cream, and cotija cheese.
Flautas
Fried flour tortillas filled with shredded beef or shredded chicken, pico de gallo, sour cream, chipotle aioli, cotija cheese, and served with guacamole.
Queso Fundido
Jack cheese, chipotle chile chorizo, pasilla chiles, mushrooms, and onions.
Taquitos
Three corn crispy taquitos, filled with shredded chicken or beef. Garnished with sour cream, lettuce, jack cheese, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
Esquites
Grilled corn prepared with tajin, mayonnaise, and cotija cheese.
Morena's Platter
Chicken or beef crispy taquitos, cheese quesadilla, nachos, wings, and beef or chicken flautas. Served with guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and cotija cheese.
Wings
4 ct 10.00 8 ct 16.00 • Buffalo or BBQ Chicken Wings.
Classic Tortilla Soup
Cup 9.00 Bowl 15.00 • Shredded chicken, fresh tomato, zucchini, and yellow squash in a savory chicken lime broth with fresh avocado, tortilla strips, and jack cheese.
Morena's Soups & Salads
Grande Salads
Tostada Salad
Grilled Chicken 19.00 Steak 21.00 Grilled Blackened Shrimp 23.00 Salmon 24.00 • Flour tortilla shell, black beans, spring mix lettuce, guacamole, cotija cheese, sour cream and pico de gallo.
Maggy's Salad
Regular 13.00 Grilled Chicken 19.00 Grilled Steak 22.00 Grilled Blackened Shrimp 23.00 Salmon 24.00 • Organic baby greens toasted with pomegranate dressing, red beets, cranberries, candied walnuts, and queso fresco.
Fajita Salad
Grilled Chicken 20.00 Steak 22.00 Shrimp 23.00 Salmon 24.00 Combo 34.00 • Romaine hearts lettuce, avocado, pico de gallo, jack cheese, roasted corn, and citrus vinaigrette.
Caesar Salad
Regular 13.00 Grilled Chicken 19.00 Steak 22.00 Grilled Blackened Shrimp 23.00 • Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, and cotija cheese tossed in pepita cilantro dressing and garnished with corn croutons.
Salmon Veracruzano
Grilled salmon topped with a Veracruzana sauce, olive oil, capers, tomatoes, green olives, and fresh herbs. Served with white rice and grilled vegetables,
Carne Asada And Shrimp
Carne asada steak and sauteed shrimp. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, and choice of tortillas Add Shrimp Tampicos 3.00
Camarones Al Mojo De Ajo
Wild Mexican prawns sauteed poblano chili, red onion, chardonnay, and garlic butter sauce. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Camarones Tampicos
Wild Mexican prawns, sauteed in chardonnay, secret spices, mushrooms, and herbs. Served with white rice and grilled vegetables.
Camarones A La Diabla
White Mexican prawns sauteed in chardonnay, onions dried chile sauce. Served with white rice and grilled vegetables.
Morena's Sea Specials
Morena’s Enchiladas
Enchiladas Verdes
Two chicken enchiladas covered in tomatillo sauce and garnished with sour cream. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Enchiladas De Langosta
Two enchiladas filled with sauteed lobster, onions, tomatoes, roasted corn, and jack cheese in a chipotle cream sauce. Garnished with sour cream and avocado slices. Served with black beans and white rice.
Enchiladas Del Mar
Two enchiladas filled with sauteed lobster and shrimp in a pasilla cream sauce, garnished with sour cream cream. Served with sauteed vegetables and white rice.
Enchiladas De Camaron
Two enchiladas filled with sauteed shrimp, onions, tomatoes, roasted corn, and jack cheese in a pasilla cream sauce. Garnished with sour cream and avocado slices. Served white rice and black beans.
Enchiladas De Espinacas
Two enchiladas stuffed with sauteed spinach, roasted corn, onions, and tomatoes in a poblano chile cream sauce. Served with white rice and black beans.
Enchiladas Con Mole
Two chicken enchiladas with mole sauce, sour cream, and sesame seeds. Made with peanuts.
Enchiladas Divorciadas
One corn tortilla filled with grilled steak, jack cheese, and red enchilada sauce, and one corn tortilla filled with grilled chicken, jack cheese, and green tomatillo sauce. Garnished with sour cream. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Carne Asada
Carne asada steak marinated in citrus juices. Served with cheese enchilada, Mexican rice, and refried beans, pico de gallo, and guacamole.
Carnitas De La Casa
Pork braised in citrus juices. Garnished with red onions and cilantro. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and choice of tortillas.
Pollo A La Chipotle
Grilled chicken breast simmered in sherry wine, chipotle cream sauce, and mushrooms. Served with white rice, cactus salad, and sliced avocado.
Chile Verde
Pork braised in tomatillo cilantro sauce. Garnished with cilantro and red onions. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, and choice of tortillas.
Mole Poblano
Grilled chicken breast simmered in mole poblano sauce and garnished with sesame seeds. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, and choice of tortillas Mole sauce is made with peanuts, walnuts, and almonds.
Sizzling Fajitas
Served on a sizzling skillet with sauteed onions, bell peppers, tomatoes. Includes Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, pico de gallo, and choice of tortillas.
Pollo A La Plancha
Grilled chicken breast seasoned with fresh herbs, capers, and salsa. Served with rice and baby arugula and garnished with a balsamic drizzle.
Chicken Milanesa
Panko-crusted grilled chicken served with Mexican rice, refried beans, and guacamole.
Morena's Specials
Steak at Patron
Steak at Patron
Carne asada steak with chipotle sherry cream sauce, grilled onions, mushrooms, and topped with cotija cheese. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Chile Relleno & Enchilada
Cheese chile relleno, shredded beef, or cheese enchilada. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Crispy Taco & Enchilada
Shredded beef or chicken crispy taco and cheese enchilada. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Cheese Chile Relleno & Taco
Cheese chile relleno and shredded beef or chicken taco. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Dos Chiles Rellenos
Two cheese chiles rellenos. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Tamale & Enchilada
Chicken or pork tamale and cheese enchilada. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Tamale & Carnitas Taco
Chicken or pork tamale and one soft carnitas taco. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Chile Relleno De Camaron
Breaded poblano chili stuffed with shrimp, roasted corn, jack cheese, onion, tomatoes, tomatillo salsa, garnished with mango relish. Served with white rice and black beans.
Street Tacos
Carnitas 19.00 Chicken 19.00 Pastor 20.00 Steak 21.00 • Two corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, avocado salsa, Mexican rice, and refried beans.
Tacos Del Cabo
Two flour tortillas with grilled blackened fish, shrimp, or tempura fish, cabbage, chipotle aioli, and mango relish. Served with white rice and black beans.
Tacos Dorados Clasicos
Two crispy tacos filled with shredded chicken or beef. Garnished with shredded lettuce, jack cheese, and pico de gallo. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Wet Burrito
Carnitas 18.00 Chicken 19.00 Steak 21.00 Shrimp 21.00 • Black beans, jack cheese, covered with green tomatillo sauce or red guajillo sauce, cream, and a slice of avocado.
Tacos Gobernador
Two flour tortillas filled with grilled shrimp, grilled pulpo, or grilled fresh fish. Cheese, cabbage, chipotle aioli, and pasilla peppers. Served with Mexican rice and refried beans.
Tacos De Vegetables
Two tacos with grilled mushrooms, squash, bell peppers, zucchini, and onions. Topped with lettuce and jack cheese. Served with Mexican rice, refried beans, and salsa.
Fideos Poblanos
Grilled Chicken 20.00 Shrimp 24.00 • Sauteed linguini pasta with roasted poblano chile sauce, veggies, roasted corn, and queso fresco.
Morena's Combinations de Mexico
Kids Menu
Chicken Tenders
Choice of Fries, Fruit, or Mexican Rice.
Cheese Quesadilla
Choice of Fries, Fruit, or Mexican Rice.
Burrito
Refried beans and jack cheese. Choice of Fries, Fruits, or Mexican Rice.
Jiji's Bite
Grilled chicken with Mexican rice.
Macaroni & Cheese
Choice of Fruit.
Kids Taco
Choice of Grilled Chicken, Steak, or Carnitas with Jack Cheese. Choice of Mexican Rice, Fries, or Fruit.
Kids Enchilada
Cheese enchilada. Choice of Mexican Rice, Fries, or Fruit.