Cafe Rio

Café Rio is always good. We come for the salads and spicy tomatillo ranch. It’s the best. We have called and ordered for pick up at this Horizon Location and had no problems. Always friendly to us.

Café rio is my absolute favorite place to eat. It’s definitely my go to food. That being said I’m a regular customer and even though the food is incredible the service is miserable. Almost every time I call in an order something is wrong or missing and on many occasions going in I dealt with unpleasant employees. They definitely need a better training program.

Lately the cleanliness has really gone down. It is difficult for Vegetarians to partake when they are constantly dropping meat in the sauces.

In general, I love Café Rio. I think that the food is generally very good. However, this location seems to be a problem child for the brand. The workers preparing the food and taking payments are generally slower that other locations, which if you happen to go during a busy time can lead to LONG waits. Also, on many occasions this location was out of essential ingredients for items on their menu. It became a joke for my family to guess what they would be out of this time. I was going to give this location a 3 star rating, however, when reading the description of the stars, the 2-​star «Meh. I’ve experienced better» seemed to be the most appropriate way to describe my experience with this location. There are other locations on Stephanie and on Eastern. You’ll probably be more happy with your overall experience if you go to one of those locations. I’d give either one of those locations a 5 star rating.

Soooo slow. I stopped at this location for a fundraiser, no one else in line, but it took forever. The manager told the girl doing my order she could go home, in the middle of taking my order. He finished preparing my salad and when I then asked him for tortilla soup, I was told I was supposed to order that at the other end of the counter. Ummm, you sent the person home, is the air going to take my order? The guacamole was dark green and at the end of the container, but that’s what I got. This place is going to be a nightmare later when more people show up for dinner for the fundraiser.

My husband and I have been Café Rio fans for years, however this location is the worst we have ever been to! We have been to this location at least 3 times and each time is worse than the last so we won’t be back. We ordered a chicken quesadilla, we weren’t asked which type of chicken we wanted and the girl put wet chicken in the quesadilla, you can imagine how soggy that would be, yuck! I told her is it’s that chicken then we want steak, got an attitude. We have been overcharged at this location as well. We were finally at the register and asked for a side of salsa for the quesadilla, it took a while and we were given enchilada sauce, wth?! We went to get our drinks, the mint lemonade is empty, so I walk to the register to tell them and I was told they are out of the lemonade. We love the mint lemonade and it is one of the main reasons we go there. So disappointing…

Café rio is one of my favorite places to eat American-​Mexican food. So happy that they build one closer to home. Don’t understand all the haters. This place is the bomb.

I love café rio. It’s an exceptional place. There food is from heaven. My experience last night was from hell.
I walked in thinking the coupon on my café rio app for a free burrito was golden. I get up to the register after ordering the perfect burrito. The cashier tells me she doesn’t do the coupons. So the thing is I already opened my coupon so now it’s gone forever and I have to pay for this burrito in front of me.
Really café rio? Really?

This is one of, if not the worst Café Rio in town. I used to live over by the Eastern/​Richmar location and loved the food and customer service.
I moved to Deep Henderson (Paradise Hills) area about a year ago and was disappointed with the food choices nearby. Then one day I noticed this location was being built… My wife and I rejoiced. We came to this location the day it opened and have been disappointed with it ever since.
The wait time when in line is ridiculous, it’s as if sloth’s are making ur food… And by the time u reach the location to order (at around 6pm;prime dinner time) we have been told several times they are either out of chicken, steak, lettuce, pico, guac, etc… This is a popular Mexican food establishment/​chain. How does this happen!!! And it’s sad because there really isn’t a lot to chose from over here that we can just avoid this Café Rio location all together.
I’ve about 4 months ago, I was standing in line when I noticed some rather juvenile behavior. Two of the punk kids in the back of the kitchen were «smoking and joking» around with each other using profanity like they were in the locker room at high school. What a joke!
Every now and then we place the occasional «To-​Go order» in an effort to just grab some quick Mexican food by the house. They can’t even get this right!!! The food either isn’t ready after an hour, or my meal is messed up entirely. I’m not the complaining type, but I boiled over the last time I was there and expressed my frustration in as nice a way as I possibly could. I asked to talk with the manager, and the check out clerk told me there wasn’t one. Waaaahhhh!!!
I’ve been eating Café Rio since it came to town many years ago and absolutely love the food when it’s made appropriately by professionals. This location is a disgrace to the franchise.

I love Café Rio, but this specific location is the worst Café Rio ever. They are almost always out of certain foods and don’t accommodate or try to make up for it. They always give you way less food compared to other Café Rio’s. The staff are almost always very slow and sometimes rude and irritated with you for some reason. I have been here about 10 times because it is closer, but every time I am very disappointed and wish I would of gone to the one on Stephanie which I never have complains about.

I’m a huge fan of café rio. Everything is extremely good. So I was thrilled to find out that they were making a café rio down the street from my house! Literally a mile away! (awesome right?) but since they been open, I’ve probably been there about 3 times but i’ve had such shitty customer service. They have run out of sauce for salads in mid afternoon and had no more chicken???

I was so excited when this Café Rio opened. It was so much closer to where I live! But every time I go to this location I am always disappointed. They are ALWAYS out of something. Every. Single. Time.
Their customer service is just sad. They are rude and take forever to help you. One time I waited about thirty minutes to get my food with only two other customers ahead of me. I honestly just drive the extra 15 minutes to the one located on Stephanie. Trust me, the drive is worth it.

When I saw a Café Rio was opening in my neighborhood, I’m not ashamed to admit I filled with Christmas-​level glee. I like the place a lot. And now it was finally nearby!
Since then I’ve come to this location for lunch 1 – 3 times per week and find the staff to be genuinely friendly and helpful. The food is always very good and they make it as quickly as all the other locations I’ve visited (translation. not super quick). After all, they are making customized dishes on a per person basis.
Some other reviews here complain of missing food items. That has not been my experience. One time I had to wait a few minutes for a new batch of red sauce to be ready, but when it came up it was the best I’ve ever tasted.
I agree they seem a bit understaffed, but with a little patience and kindness I’ve found it to be a wonderful place to eat. The food is very tasty and reasonably priced.
The only other choices for decent Mexican are Wahoo’s (meh) or the 20 minute drive to another Café Rio to wait in a line that ‘might’ move faster but will certainly take way more time overall.
I’m voting with my dollars to keep this neighborhood Café Rio going strong.

You either like salmon or you don’t. Unless you don’t know the difference. A little effort to learn the differences (color, placement location on the food line, label) in the part of employees should have would be appreciated.
We recently walked over following a haircut and I commented that this Café Rio has a huge hurdle that they can’t overcome. Their location really was a poor decision on the part of business /​franchise owners. Parking appeared to be difficult, lots of COX trucks and Vans (dining at Buffalo Wild Wings) hot weary desert dwellers flocking into ColdStone Creamery. Café Rio was empty. It was 1: pm on a Saturday.
I don’t hate salmon. I just have to be in the mood for it. Mahi was my other choice! I was really hungry for fish tacos. The Salmon tacos she prepared for me weren’t bad. They just weren’t what I wanted or ordered. I wasn’t going to mention it until my husband announced that the last couple of times he chose a dining option for us something went wrong. (Hmmm maybe he needs to use Unilocal more) Taking the employee aside I pointed out on the receipt the mistake. I let her know, however, I intended to finish them. «Oh, I’m sorry.» And that was that.
I refilled my mint limeade! And sat down, to finish my food. Let it be known Café Rio has the Best beverage options. Horchata, frescas, and more.
Before I’d taken another bite this still apologetic employee arrived and very eloquently apologized and made a very kind offer to restore my confidence and to improve the chance of my return business. We spoke about the difference between the two types of fish. She was gracious and had indicated that the manager on duty had helped her to figure out how to handle the customer issue.
The salmon tacos were moist and full of flavor… Had I known I was getting salmon adding the avocado tomatillo sauce would have been ideal.
Partner enjoyed a pork burrito and found it much to his liking!

Just ate here and I’m pretty disappointed with the service. The food was good as usual, but the customer service sucks.
I walked in and was the only one standing in line. I had 3 employees standing there talking amongst each other that had a full on conversation before even greeting me.
As I started eating my food, I hear one them start to say «I hate when customers…» I couldn’t hear the rest.
The point is, the staff sucks. I’ve gotten better service at Jack in the Box which is pretty sad.
To the owner/​manager: Please teach your employees common customer service.

my husband recommended the salad and i have to say ill be here often now that i live near here, i’ll make sure we go here for lunch at some point. The location is cleaned, the food portions are amazing and the salad is so filling and the tortillas are my favorite! I will be sure to come back.

Being a that this is a new location I have held this review hoping service would get better. Unfortunately it hasn’t! This is the fifth time I have come to this location, and each time I have had horrible customer service!!! And the food leaves something to be desired. The last time I ate here, I spoke to the manager who claims his hands are tied because after numerous complaints, corporate will not let him discipline or fire the problem employees.
This concerns me greatly, if disgruntled employees are allowed to continue serving food, there’s a pretty good chance they are doing something disgusting to mine!
I will never be back!
I feel that this town is plagued with entitled people who care little about customer service! hopefully out reviews will change that!

It’s easier to come to this location as its close to my house, however its gone down hill in the past 2 months.
As I was waiting to complete my order the gentleman on the line was so rude to the guy in front of me. He asked if they had corn, and the employee says «no, this is not chipotle ». Wow, ok. As its my turn now, I get my order quickly and proceed to check out. The girl at the register was really sweet I have to add. While I’m getting my drink there’s customers stocking the soda station.
They need new management and a giant upgrade.
I’ll definitely make the drive to a further location to have slightly better customer service

This place doesn’t seem to be too popular with my Unilocal pals, but I like it. I don’t have a Café Rio too close to my house, so I’ll admit that it’s not something I’d choose as a regular dining destination. However, this location is a convenient option for my work week when I don’t bring anything from home and when I need a break from the crazy chicken place. My usual order is the shredded chicken breast enchiladas with black beans and rice. I’m also a fan of their freshly made tortillas. Service has been efficient and friendly plus I’ve never had to wait in a long line, something that’s very important when you’re short on time. I’ll continue to be a fan as long as they keep serving up decent food in a timely manner – gracias!

Drive a couple extra minutes and go to Stephanie or Eastern.
We went there on Friday ¹⁰⁄₁₇ around 8 PM. From the time we walked in, all the employees were scrambling around doing their side work to close up shop even though they closed two hours later. The young woman behind the counter making our food could not hear us multiple times, which is fine, but at least have a little common courtesy. The word «what?» came out of her mouth about 16 times throughout the time we ordered. She was unfamiliar with the menu and how to prepare the food. She turned my daughter’s quesadilla into what looked like pile of regurgitated cheese, chicken, and flour tortilla.
They said they had no steak for my burrito and I was not told they were making more or more was on its way. I doubt they ran out that early on a Friday night and I’m sure they were just simply too lazy to cook more. When we checked out, the girl at the register tried to charge us for two extra sides of chicken which were never ordered.
Inside and outside, the place looked a like a tornado tore through. Three of the tables still had trays with trash from previous guests that were there before. Both trash cans outside were overfilled with trash with some trash on the ground.
It wasn’t a good experience for my family at all and I don’t think it will change anytime soon. I’m going to Stephanie next time and recommend you go to another location also.

I have only been to Café Rio once. Wait, that isn’t quite accurate… I have only EATEN at Café Rio once, at this location. I tried going to another location a while back while on my lunch break and ended up walking out due to a very long, slow moving line.
Allison S. and I were planning on getting some take out and decided to give the new neighborhood Café Rio a try. When we walked in the line was insane, but for how many people that were waiting to order and pay it moved fairly quickly. It took us about 25 minutes total to get through the line, order and pay. It was also quite loud, which made hearing the employee while ordering difficult.
I ended up ordering a grilled chicken salad. Not a fan of places like Café Rio that charge more for «fire grilled chicken» versus «chicken» but I still paid the extra buck to have fire-​grilled chicken. As previously mentioned, the ordering process was chaotic so when asked, I said I’d take everything on the salad. Total damage for the salad only was a little over $ 10. A bit steep, but the serving was quite large.
The food itself was good. Not great. Comparable to Chipotle (which I am not a huge fan of either) or Qdoba (which I prefer to this). That said, I still plan on returning to try other menu items. Hopefully by the time I return some of the ‘new business in the area’ hype has died down.
P. S. For whatever reason, this location isn’t showing up on the website, so online ordering is not currently possible.