Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Destination for Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Orange, CA
Moreno's stands as a testament to history and culinary tradition. Originally a Quaker meeting house built in 1887, our landmark building was rescued and transformed in 1967 by Javier and Nora Moreno, who infused it with the vibrant flavors of Mexico. Today, we offer an unparalleled dining experience where guests can savor authentic Mexican cuisine crafted from generations-old recipes. Our historic banquet hall, housed in this 129-year-old structure, accommodates up to 150 guests for special events. The restaurant features a full-service bakery renowned for its traditional Mexican pastries, while our take-out menu ensures our community can enjoy our dishes at home.With decades of combined experience in hospitality, we remain committed to preserving both the architectural legacy of our space and the culinary heritage of Mexico. Our team takes pride in sourcing quality ingredients to create dishes like our signature enchiladas, fajitas, and chile rellenos. Whether dining in our historic hall or ordering for pickup, guests experience the warmth of our family-owned establishment. We maintain rigorous standards for food preparation and service, ensuring every meal reflects our dedication to authenticity and excellence. Our location on Chapman Avenue continues to serve as a cultural touchstone for locals and visitors alike.
Services
Mexican Cuisine
Banquet Hall
Bakery
Take-Out
Catering
Wedding Receptions
Full-Service Bar
Event Planning
Traditional Pastries
Historic Venue
Details
- Year established: 1967
Highlights and features
- We offer a unique dining experience in a historic 129-year-old Quaker church.
- Our menu features authentic Mexican recipes passed down through generations.
- We provide a spacious banquet hall for events, accommodating up to 150 guests.
- Our bakery offers the best Mexican pastries in Orange County.
- Family-owned and operated since rescuing the landmark in 1967.
Services
Banquet Hall Rental
Host events in our historic 129-year-old Quaker church venue. Accommodates up to 150 guests with buffet dinner, beverages, and linens included. Minimum 50 adults required with $400 deposit. Perfect for weddings and special occasions in Orange County.
Mexican Cuisine
Savor authentic Mexican dishes made from traditional recipes. Menu features chicken and beef fajitas, chile verde, enchiladas, tamales, and chile rellenos. Available for dine-in or banquet events with professional service and historic ambiance.
Bakery
Discover fresh-baked Mexican bread and pastries daily. Our panaderia offers traditional favorites like conchas, empanadas, and pan dulce. Recognized as having the best Mexican pastries in Orange County since 1967.
Take-Out
Order authentic Mexican meals for pickup with family-style portions. Available items include enchiladas, carnitas, tamales, rice, beans, and tortillas. Large trays serve 4-6 people with convenient ordering options.
Wedding Receptions
Celebrate your special day in our historic banquet hall. Packages include venue rental, buffet dinner with multiple entree options, beverages, and basic decorations. Professional staff assists with event planning and execution.
People
Javier Moreno
Owner
With over 50 years of experience, Javier Moreno has operated Moreno's since 1967, preserving its historic legacy while serving authentic Mexican cuisine to Orange County residents and visitors.
Nora Moreno
Owner
Nora Moreno co-owns Moreno's with her husband Javier, bringing decades of hospitality expertise to maintain the restaurant's reputation for quality food and service since acquiring the landmark in 1967.
Questions
Is El Modena currently offering banquet services?
Our banquet hall is temporarily closed for events but remains available for future bookings.
What makes El Modena's location unique?
We operate in a historic 1887 Quaker church building that was rescued and remodeled with Mexican touches in 1967.
Do you offer catering services?
Yes, we provide catering with our authentic Mexican dishes for events both on and off-site.
Are there special pricing options available?
We offer weekday discounts for banquet bookings from Monday to Thursday during limited time periods.
What payment methods do you accept?
Please contact us directly for current payment method options at our Orange location.
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