Something tasty and maybe a little spicy is cooking out on the east side of Clarion. Restaurante El Morelense recently opened their door at 1218 Central Avenue E. And though that’s a new name for that location, the cook is a familiar one to fans of Mexican food in this area.
The restaurant is owned by Danilo and Dora Espinoza. Dora is the main cook at El Morelense. And though she’s just getting started at the Central Ave location, she is not new to Mexican cuisine at all. Dora says she has been cooking all her life. About fifteen years ago, she opened a restaurant here in Clarion on Main Street. It was also called El Morelense, for the village where she lived in Mexico.
Dora explained that she eventually had to close the Main Street business, but she has never stopped cooking. Recently, the opportunity to restart her restaurant and reignite her passion for Mexican food was made possible.
She and her husband took over the restaurant area in the shared Carmen’s Supermarket space. They didn’t just start cooking though. They completely remodeled the restaurant side, turning it into a friendly, cheery place with plenty of tables for hungry customers.
The menu is filled with familiar Mexican favorites with a few twists. Dora makes great fajitas and serves up a special named after the restaurant that features bacon-wrapped shrimp. She also emphasizes that they fresh make their tortilla chips, salsas, and other sauces daily, and they are sure tasty!
Dora’s son Bryan says they have already seen a positive response to the restaurant opening. “We’ve gotten people from all over the area and heard lots of times how they have missed mom’s cooking,” he said.
For her part, Dora is excited to serve both familiar and new customers. “When people come, we’ll give them good food, made with kindness and love, just like they’re at their own home.”
Restaurante El Morelense is now open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are located at 1218 Central Ave E. You can also call 515-351-1771 for to-go orders.
