El Rio Bakery

Dropped in so many times that I can’t recall the exact number, like this convenient place in my neighborhood. The food is decent with a almost free price. Their salsa is as spicy as you like it.

When we come from California to visit family El Rio Bakery is a must stop. Other than my aunts from AZ El Roi has the best tortillas anywhere. I can’t get tortillas this delicious anywhere in California

I’ve been coming here since I was a little girl… And if you want real authentic Mexican food the way it should be prepared… Simple and cheap… Then look no farther!
The front door still creeks as it has for 15 years and the aromas as you walk in are mouth watering!
The workers are always kind, speak little English, but are always welcoming! I highly recommend the birria or red chile! Served with an excellent hot sauce and a slice of lime! I wish we could find food like this 90 miles north… But you won’t find it! It’s always a must on places to eat when we come home!

Delicious pastries especially pan de huevo, my favorite :) Location probably will not make us regulars but would definitely stop in here if I’m close by.

Living in Miami, FL, but I had to order my Rosca de Reyes from El Rio Bakery. I received 3 days later. All I have to say is: Wow! Well worth the wait.

Who can resist visiting a bakery? Especially a Mexican bakery in Tucson? I’d read about the El Rio and decided I had to pay a visit. Excellent decision!
I love the coyotes, apple empanadas, gingerbread and sugar cookies. Great selection and good prices.
I didn’t try any other food so this review just pertains to baked goods.
I have driven by the building many times but never was drawn to visit. Thanks to Unilocal reviewers, I have another wonderful bakery on my list.

I am updating this bc for some reason, Unilocal is hiding my first review. Note to Unilocal admin, I just moved to Tucson in 2010 and a true blonde. Obviously not related to anyone in my Barrio. I have always disliked mexican food but am finding out I like it when its not been dumbed down or Americanized.
Just went to El Rio on Nov 12, 2011, with friends and had the meat ball soup Albondigas. I have had much better but I did sample friend Max’s chile relleno and still loving those. I like them light and fluffy with little cheese and big pepper. Plus, I do not want cheese on top and if I see yellow cheese, I know that I am eating Americanized-​Mex. El Rio mixes a bit of cream with salsa and dribbles a bit over their chile relleno.
They also make a great corn waffle or gordita (?) with cubed steak and salsa. I may not have the name right but they are not always available. My friend Faith had a pumpkin and carmel empanada and said those were great. I bought a ginger conchito for dessert and give it a B.

El Rio has never been one of those buildings that draws you in due to its spectacular exterior appearance. It may actually chase some away! But don’t let its outer appearance fool you. I’ve learned that these types of places usually end up having the best food around and El Rio is no exception.
I was craving a pumpkin empanada, and this place was the closest to me so I went with it. I was NOT disappointed! What great empanadas! I ordered ½ dozen pumpkin for $ 6.40 and ended up getting another ½ dozen of pineapple just to fill the box. Needless to say the box was opened up as soon as I returned to my car. I couldn’t wait. The empanadas were DE-​LISH! The outside was amazingly flaky and just enough sweetness to satisfy. They could have used a bit more filling but that’s just how I prefer it.
I’m looking forward to my next dozen and ordering some lunch while I’m at it. If you just so happen to be on the west side, make a stop at El Rio and show them some love!

My mom in law, my daughter, and I went here last weekend. It was in an out of the way place, not such a great neighborhood, but we decided to give it a try because (you guessed it) I had a Groupon. We all got tacos and rice and beans. The food is very good, and the baked goods are very good. Why the 3 stars you ask? Because the tacos had hardly any meat in them, 3 of them and I could have eaten more. Then the table that would fit all of us comfortably was filthy, so we had to sit somewhere else, and the cups with ice they brought us were gross and dirty.

I always passed by El Rio Bakery and quickly dismissed it. I do not have much interest in pink/​yellow sweet breads. But I drove by the other day and a few people were buying fresh dinner rolls (12 for $ 3.50). I wanted to try some empanadas. They are 50 cents each. I asked a girl which ones were her favorite, and she recommended caramel and pumpkin (the one that says calabaza). The caramel was so delicious — it was like a brown sugar, caramelized, almost pumpkin-​flavored, cream-​cheese consistency filling. Definitely recommend. In fact, if you want a Taco Bell apple caramel empanada, please visit El Rio instead! The pumpkin was not heavily spiced, and yes, the crusts of these empanadas are golden, dense like pie crust, flaky, and sugary. Other flavors include pineapple and apple and some others.
I also came in for a birria burrito order, but the only kind of beef they had was shredded beef ($ 4.50). I was ordering the beef so I wouldn’t be tempted to eat my friend’s beef burro (I usually prefer chicken, veggies, or seafood). I definitely did not tell my friend I was going to buy her a burro at all because the smells wafting in the kitchen were amazing. As far as the burros, there was not much inside their homemade tortilla besides meat (and a few pieces of grilled tomato and onion). But the shredded beef was delicious, and I definitely recommend. If you want to go even cheaper than $ 5 for a burrito and empanada, order an egg/​potato/​cheese burrito for $ 3.50. Granted, I was a bit hungry still after the burrito (think about ¹⁄₃ the size of Chipotle but only meat as the filling) and empanada, but it was a great snack after 5 pm for a girl who hadn’t eaten lunch.
Their dining area is really cute with amazing mural work. Otherwise, this is a small establishment, about the size of a neighborhood convenience store. It looks dark inside, but just look for the neon ‘open’ sign. I would love to go back and order more food and bring my friend (sorry friend for eating the meal I was going to give you!).