El Rio

I come here every once in a while and the food is always good and of good quality, but they are more expensive than other restaurants. The portions are just about perfect for me but maybe not for some people. As you would expect for an establishment located in a small town named «Pigeon», the menu is rather basic.
One thing that doesn’t sit well with me is that you have to actually request chips and salsa to start, whereas every other Mexican themed restaurant usually brings them out as something that is just expected, complimentary.
The service has always been good when I have visited. Overall I would recommend stopping in if you are stuck in the Thumb area and really want Mexican style food.

Authentic taste of Mexico is accompanied by friendly staff and attentive service. We discovered El Rio only a short time after they opened and have been weekly regulars since. The Fajita Pizza and Quesadilla are world class. Kelly and Jeff make you feel right at home. If you want to feel like you’re in Cancun, take your margaritas on the patio in the summertime.

Hidden gem in the middle of the thumb. Don’t be fooled by the exterior… inside is clean & traditional Mexican décor. Food is amazing and the staff is friendly and very accommodating. So happy to have discovered this restaurant. Well worth the ten minute drive from Caseville!

Clean restaurant, nice waitress… but the food is not good. We ordered steak nachos. It came with 7 – 11 nacho cheese from a can. The nacho chips, while decent, would not however be worth the $ 4.00 they want to charge for a separate order. It kind of looks like a Mexican restaurant, but the food is not. Ugh.

Great food, atmosphere and service. When you just need a Mexican fix, this is your place!

We loved this place, there was a line up waiting to be seated. The owner asked if we wanted to get some drinks and go to the patio which we did. It was a little chilly outside and the owner fired up a heater for our table. When we were seated the food and service was good. The owner also gave us a complementary mini Corona which was nice. The fajitas were great, three of us got steak and chicken fajitas and we all liked them. Plenty of food and it all tasted great. My wife had a chicken chimichanga, and she loved it and the sauce it came with she said was excellent. I look forward to returning, but there aren’t a ton of tables so you may have a short wait, but it is worth it.

Only been here once but was pleasantly surprised when visiting the Thumb area in Michigan and we are here one night. The outside looks rustic and the gravel lot makes you wonder about the inside but be prepared to be amazed. Inside has a very cool Tex-​Mex vibe going and it’s very clean. I ate with nine people and no one disliked their meal. We didn’t have reservations but still got a seat right away at five o’clock on a Saturday. I ate the burrito and taco. It was excellent and came with a side of beans and rice. Only disappointed when the beans turned out to be pinto and not black beans.

Very Americanized Mexican food. Have eaten there a few times and am realizing a pattern. Anything you order is exactly the same. Chicken enchilada, chimichanga, taco, quesadilla etc… It all tastes the same, just displayed in a different format. Enchiladas are on flour tortillas, should be corn and burritos and chimichangas are half the size of that at a «Mexican» restaurant. The salsa has no cilantro in it whatsoever and you must pay $ 4.00 for chips & salsa! Margaritas are way too strong to enjoy. Only gave them 2 stars because their saving grace is the fried ice cream.

Every time we visit the Pigeon /​Caseville area El Rio is on our restaurant list. The food is very good Americanized Mexican and the service is prompt and friendly. The owners are usually out serving tables and you clearly can see a pride of ownership.
For this visit I had the enchiladas dinner, my wife had the taco salad and the kids all had cheese quesidillas. Mine was just right, not a huge portion but more than plenty. Flavor was great with just the right amount of enchilada sauce. My wife’s taco salad was delicious with the shell being not too greasy. The littlest loved the rice and ate a few helpings.
This visit was another great visit and we’ll definitely be back in the area!

Really good Mexican grub in an area I’d never think to look for really good Mexican grub.
I’ve ordered from here twice and both times the food was great. I had the enchiladas with rice/​beans and some chips/​salsa. It’s all cooked to perfection, not much else to say about that!
Only giving ‘em 4 stars though because my last to-​go order was promised in 10 minutes and took about 25. I sat around the restaurant for about 5 – 10 minutes just waiting until it finally came out.

Americanized Mexican food which is the way I like it. So yummy that we go often. We just get take out however. Since we have kids and don’t like the alcohol signs everywhere or the televisions.
You must try it.

My wife and I found this mexican place a couple of years ago. They have AMAZING authentic mexican food. The owner is usually there and walks around greeting guests. VERY friendly staff! The food is delicious and I have not found a dish I don’t like. Only downsides are you can expect a wait on weekends (although they offer a comfy waiting area) and it is just a bit pricy. Great place for a great date night once in a while!

Service was very good and friendly. The food is Americanized Mexican. There is no cilantro in the salsa and they use flour tortillas for the cheese enchiladas (should be corn). The house margaritas are very good hosever. Very clean and very nice atmosphere but dont’t get your hopes up If you are looking for true Mexican food — you will get the Michigan version of it.

Great food and service! I had the steak taco and the meat is delicious! Cute patio and great music! The owner came to introduce himself. Great guy!

Outstanding service, wonderful food. Definitely not a mainstream chain type Resturant, which is what we sought! One of a kind, fun to be in décor. Will make the 45mi drive just to eat there again. Isn’t a refined place, furniture is different from table to table. Fun.