Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
3000 184th St SW, Lynnwood, WA, 98037
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Lynnwood for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
3000 184th St SW
Lynnwood, WA, 98037 - Phone (425) 563-1300
- Website https://caferio.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Garage
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Chris B.
Good fast food. This is not a fancy place, but a quick tellem-what-you want sort of set up. The food is actually pretty good here. The tortillas are hand made and that makes a big difference. I ordered enchiladas and they were really great, if a bit on the salty side. I ordered a spicy sauce, but all I could taste was salt. The portion to cost ratio is quite favorable. It can be a bit loud during the lunch hour and, inexplicably, this is also when a few of the employees go on their break. I am definitely coming back here.
(4)James G.
Went to this Cafe Rio last night and it was pretty clear they were busy. Got down to it and went to order the family dinner, the guy taking my order looked a little green and he had a hard time focusing on the assembly line system. Tried to have some brief conversation with him and I got a vacant stare in return (awkward). Go here as its the only Cafe Rio close to the casa, that's about it
(3)KT M.
I came here for lunch with family. We are outside, it was lovely. There was a nice shaded area, chairs were comfortable and they had a ceiling fan or two outside so it helped to keep air circulating. Got a chicken burrito, enchilada style. Had a ton of leftovers, so of course bought some extra fresh tortillas to take home. Made two more burritos out of the leftovers and still have food left. Man o man, lunch at work tomorrow will be awesome. P,S, Gina was the main lady on the line today. She was awesome. Great customer service, friendly, helpful and totally on top of everything needed for each order. A++ customer service from Gina!
(5)AlyxandraMonique S.
If you live in Lynnwood and you don't come here on Tuesday's for $5 Tacos, Burritos, Taco Salads, Nachos etc then you're missing out!!! The line gets ridiculously long here so ordering ahead online is the way to go. I usually order the burrito with extra sauce and it is super tasty. Because it gets packed there isn't always a place to sit, so be aware of that.
(5)Marc M.
Apparently, this is a pretty popular chain in other parts of the country and is just now getting a foothold in the Pacific Northwest. After my first visit here, I would most closely compare it to both Taco Del Mar and Q'Doba with it being muc better than the former and pretty much on par or slightly ahead of with the latter. The service was great although it was late in the evening so the famous tortilla making station was not in action. Lots of people comment on this, so I feel like I missed out on a part of the experience that makes them unique. As far as the food, I was pretty happy with what I got although I wish they would strain the meat more before the scoop it onto or into whatever type of meal you have ordered. Once the sauces are added in, my meal ended up being pretty sloppy and I basically just let it all run into each other rather than keeping items separate and segregated. The rice and beans that come with most orders was pretty tasty for standard side items. I was also pretty impressed with the selection of beverages they offered which included lemonades and horchatas that you won't find at any other chain restaurant that I know of. I will definitely be visiting this place again so I can try more items off the menu and I'm still looking forward to seeing the world famous tortilla station in action and churning out freshly made circles of deliciousness.
(4)Ane P.
Finally, I try Cafe Rio. My friends and family in UT are constantly checking in at this place. I always know it's Cafe Rio, from the pictures of the tin pans. When I drove by this location, I had to do a double take. Their tortillas are by far, my favorite thing. Warm and thick...just totally bready. I much prefer that to other popular Mexican spots. Their salmon was nice, and when tossed on top of a salad, was the right salty bite. I can also appreciate their drink bar--limeade, horchata, hibiscus tea...that's what I'm talkin about! Now their cheese--not my favorite. And the fact that their ingredients aren't non-GMO...well...that's definitely not my favorite. I also prefer the chips at another popular burrito spot. If I'm in the area, I'll likely stop by again. It's a nice little addition to the mall.
(3)Boris G.
Food is nothing to brag about. Pretty expensive. Got the burrito with extra chicken and girlfriend got the quesadillas. Came out to $26 after drinks. Utterly terrible customer service. The person that served us looked like it was torture to ask us what we wanted to order. The person who checked us out seemed to have have just started working there and had no training.
(2)Nick C.
Fresh cooked flour tortillas. Not many things can top that. Now take that tortilla and stuff tasty seasoned meat and smother it with a tomato based sauce and you have a a beautiful entrée from Cafe Rio. At Cafe Rio, you can choose to have your food served as a taco salad, burrito, nacho, enchilada, or quesadilla. The most popular ones I saw were the enchiladas and the burrito. You can get the burrito in "enchilada style" meaning they drench it with their sauce. It's quite good and makes this place unique compared to Qdoba and Chipotle. I got the chili beef burrito and it was good. I found the sauce on top to be a tad bland but still good. The barbacoa pork is definitely on the sweet side, but I like sweet foods so I was good with it. However, my girlfriend did say she didn't like it because it was just to sweet for her. The line can be a little long and slow, but it's fun and educational to watch the lady make tortillas. The staff is a bit awkward and off putting because how they greet and service you just seems very forced. Writing this review and looking at the pictures have my mouth salivating. I wish I could go get some right now. I definitely recommend this place if you're in the mood for some TexMex.
(4)Nick T.
Came in around 2100 and while waiting in line my family and I had to see a Cafe Rio employee wandering around the food prep area throwing things and sexually harassing female employees in the form of towel snapping them in the butt. Then proceeded to wipe down food prep areas using the same towel. I could see the look of disgust on the faces of both customers and some staff. This will be my last visit to this location. Absolutely unexceptable behavior. .
(1)Danielle D.
The first time I went here service was slow, but I had a bit of time so I waited 10 minutes for my food. It was pretty good, not the greatest I've had but it was good for after work. I went back today to try it again. I waited in a fairly short line for 10 minutes and moved about 2 feet. I was on a tight schedule and I left. The wait times are ridiculous and the food is definitely not worth the wait. The staff is also very cold and off putting. I had two words said to me while there. Not going to go back unless they can fix it.
(2)Shane M.
Everything is so good. Fresh. Fast. Inexpensive. Served fast. Fun Mexican beach town decor. Very tasty and very casual. The people working here seem to be glad to be here. Cancun shrimp tacos. Nuff said.
(5)Andy J.
Can't beat the flavor from your hometown when you're away from home! Barbacoa Pork, 'nuf said.
(5)Ray L.
My wife and I like to go to Café Rio especially on Tuesday. Every Tuesday there is a good deal : $ 5.00. Just $ 10 for Salad and Pork Burrito. The sweet pork is really really delicious. The only thing I complain about is the slow cashier service. When the line is long, the cashier needs to handle it quickly.
(4)Tara A.
I was there for tastes Tuesday for the 5 dollar specials. I got the burrito with pork. It was very tasty. You can beat the price on tasty Tuesday, but it does get super busy. I was impressed by the fact that they give a small quesadilla to all children under 6! This is a plus for parents, but expect lots of kids there!
(4)Steve R.
Absolutely terrible service. Ordered 45 minutes in advance online and they hadn't started my order. Restaurant was filthy inside and it was slow. No one inside and people just standing around doing nothing. Won't ever be back to the ones outside Utah.
(1)Jarenn N.
$5 Tuesdays are so awesome!!! I always order the salad with pork and it's soooo good! Bryson gets the burrito enchilada style and he likes it too. What I really like is their unlimited drink bar! I've had the horchata and it's pretty good! The atmosphere of the place is pretty casual from what I've seen and not too crowded either.
(4)Ikaika B.
One of the best reasons to go to Utah has finally come to Washington! Amazing portions reasonable prices and great food! Being at the mall makes parking a challenge but they have reasonable seating inside and out. Tuesdays have $5 deals and bring a business card for a chance to win free catering!
(4)Ange G.
Literally the worst Cafe Rio experience I've ever had. The food prep area was SO dirty. The food containers were completely contaminated w other food, the manager (a gal w blond hair) stood by and did nothing. Basically my sour cream had green dressing in it, my guacamole had rice in it. When my husband mentioned something to the guy who was (very sloppily) dishing the final touches into our containers, he tried to argue, then took ONE of the cheese containers out and PULLED OUT the misc. pieces of food inside and put the container back. Then stormed out of the area in the back, the door slamming behind him. Eventually he came back and was so rude. Again, the manager stood by and did nothing to help the situation. My husband asked for the manager and she didn't even glance our way. He proceeded to wipe the metal countertop with his hand to brush the piles of food away, then used the same hands to finish my food prep. I could tell they were rushed with an online order plus a long line, but it's no excuse to treat customers poorly and have a dirty workspace. There were several employees just hanging around who obviously weren't trained in all the areas, which made the whole situation appear even worse. I felt really bad for the guy finishing our burritos, nobody was helping him and they were just looking at him. The cashier was watching and laughing at the guy who was hurried. There was a guy who was supposed to be cleaning the table in the dining area and he was hiding next to the soda machine texting. I've been to many Cafe Rios because I'm from California but this will be the last time I go to this establishment. I'm so disappointed and wish this place was better because it's the only one in the area. Boo. 04/18/15, 6:30pm
(1)nichelle w.
So glad we discovered this Jen of a pearl, we come every Tuesday for the discount and if you can get around the crowd and be patient pick up your delivery about 15 minutes after they say it will be ready. The staff is always awesome. Especially Cheyenne.
(5)Hoa B.
i have been here 3 time. their pork salad is the best and I would die for it everyday. However, each time I went, the server get stinger and stinger with their vegetable!!!! Come on Cafe Rio?? It's SALAD right??? I asked for more cilantro, he literally gave me 3 more stems of cilantro????? So disappointed from last time we went. It's salad = vegetables! The lettuce in there was so little that I ate all the lettuce before getting into 1/4 of my pork! In Utah, I didn't even have to ask for more vegetables. Always generous and put tons of lettuce in there. Very disappointed about the service.
(2)Jiahna P.
Can I just mention how delicious their tortillas are? I could literally come here and just eat a tortilla. I always get a chicken quesadilla with Sour Cream and Guacamole. (No extra charge for the toppings) and Pico de Gayo Great place for lunch with friends. Not too expensive and always filling.
(4)Karen D.
We happened to be in the Alderwood Mall area around dinnertime, saw Café Rio's "Tasty Tuesday" sign with 4 entrees listed at $5 apiece, and decided to give them a try. I am very glad that we did! I have to start by saying: "Look out, Chipotle!" Now, I am a huge fan of Chipotle, but Café Rio offers that same fast-casual Mexican model, but with a truly unique flare that is just irresistible. The thing is, you have to have patience to eat at Café Rio, because the line is very long. It was long when we arrived there at about 5:05pm, and it eventually went out the door while we were there, as the dinner hour progressed. And the line doesn't move particularly quickly. So I felt lucky that we went "early". No doubt it was partly due to the "Tasty Tuesday" specials, which are an amazing deal by any standard. For this reason, and the fact that they make everything fresh, including the tortillas, I refuse to take away a star for the long wait. For $5 you get a choice of burrito, taco dinner (comes with beans and rice), quesadilla (with beans and rice) or the taco salad. You pick one, and then a choice of meat, or vegetarian version (which isn't tofu, but is just extra beans and rice). Because I waited in line a long time to order, I could see that at least 75% of the people there ordered the taco "salad." It was huge and looked fantastic, so I decided to try it as well. I had to put "salad" in quotes because it isn't really a salad, it is kind of like an open-faced burrito bowl salad. And it was amazing. They start by melting some cheese on one of their giant-sized made-on-site flour tortillas. You can actually watch them making the tortillas while you are standing in line, which is a nice way to pass the time. Anyway, they then line a foil take-out container with the cheesy tortilla, and fill it with rice, 2 kinds of beans (pinto and black) and your choice of meat, or in my case, I got the vegetarian one. I wanted the vegetarian one because it comes with guacamole, which costs extra if you get the meat one. Then goes on lettuce, pico de gallo, and guacamole if you are getting it. Then they sprinkle on a bunch of crispy corn tortilla strips, and you get your choice of dressing on the side, either the creamy tomatillo or the cilantro lime vinaigrette. OMG, it was so good. And by the look of all the empty foil containers on the tables around me, I know that I'm not the only one who thought so! I wanted to taste both dressings, so I did. Personally I preferred the cilantro lime dressing, but my spouse liked the tomatillo one. Both types of beans were cooked and seasoned perfectly, the rice was good, really, everything was so good. The tortilla was amazing. We also got chips and salsa with two different salsas. Both were excellent. And I tried the Raspberry Lime drink, but it was a little too sweet, so I just mixed in some water. They also offer other unique Mexican-style drinks, such as horchata and mint lemonade. My only regret is that if I want to go there again, I have to drive all the way to Lynnwood! Maybe they will open another somewhere else in the Seattle area. Café Rio is truly worth a try for anyone who loves Chipotle but wants to try something a bit more authentic.
(5)Angela N.
As good as it gets for "fast-food", I'm addicted to their salads.... I can't get enough of the stuff!! Staff is always usually pretty friendly, sometimes a few odd balls, but food is pretty good and quality stuff. These pictures I feel like are from when they first opened? I've never had a salad look the way the older photos look.... They're usually great at presentation and flavor. However for "fast-food", which is what I call it, they're on the pricier side... I still love it here!
(5)Sarah R.
Cafe Rio is bomb - seriously. Imagine how happy I was when I found out one had opened within a 30 min drive of my house! No more road trips to Wenatchee for my CR fix! Let's talk about the food... it's delicious! It's hard deciding what to order. As you can see by my photo, I chose the veggie burrito enchilada style. It's worth pointing out - when they say veggie - there aren't really any veggies in it. It's just extra rice and beans. Having some sort of actual veggie option would have been a nice touch, but I digress. Also, they only have seafood options some days of the week (not on Sunday when we went). My date chose three tacos - two chicken and one steak. We also had an order of chips and queso (nothing new there - we ALWAYS get the queso)! The chips are thin, extra crispy, and perfectly salted. Everything is fresh, fresh, fresh! While you're standing in line you can watch the fresh tortillas being made, meat being grilled, and veggies being chopped which is nice. It's kind of confusing to order - like 6 different people ask you what you're ordering so you're never entirely sure what's going on BUT perhaps they're just working out the "new store" kinks. Everyone who talked to us was really nice - be forewarned... every so often they'll break out in song. They have a lot of fun drinks too - like homemade lemonade which is pretty fun. I am already excited to go back soon.
(4)Daniel K.
I just picked up an online order. It was scheduled for 11:15. I arrived 11:15. The food wasn't ready until 11:50 and they put the wrong names on the wrong food, which I didn't realize until I had driven back to work and everybody had gotten into their food. I swear they screw it up every single time. I was there once waiting for my online order for over an hour. I am so angry right now. I just spent an hour doing that. And this happens all the time. There was a guy in line who was yelling because they were taking forever. I'm never going there again.
(1)Amanda D.
All the other reviews about the terrible service is unfortunately true. I was put off by the fact that the employees were so unfriendly and unhelpful but I could not believe the way I was treated by the girl that was working tonight. I got a drink with my order. Filled up with sprite and took a sip. It didn't taste like sprite just like flavorless club soda. I dumped it out. I tried another one and it was completely flat. At this point the girl told me I was only allowed one drink. I explained that they didn't taste right. She rolled her eyes at me! She said she knew nothing was wrong with the machine and I immediately asked for a refund at this point. She rolled her eyes again! I supposedly got a refund but she wouldn't give me a receipt. I will never come back and will definitely let my friends know to not waste their money here. I saw another review about the person that served them being awful and their receipt said Cheyenne the manager should take note.
(1)Dylan G.
I would not refer to this as fast food by any stretch of the imagination. The service is incredibly SLOW and does not come with a smile. For the most part the employees look like they hate their job, the ordering process is inefficient and disorganized, and did I mention how slow they are? Literally stood in line for 30 minutes. I'd go to Chipotle over this place any day. Next time my coworkers head to Cafe Rio I'm definitely sticking with my reheated leftovers.
(1)Ashley W.
The worst wannabe chipotle I've ever been to! The food had no flavor, over priced, messy to eat. The rice and beans were under the foil that my tacos were in and it was just a mess. If I hadn't been so hungry I would have thrown my food away and left! The people working were no help at all. I have never been in before so I was looking for some type of help about where to order or if there were other options for my plate.. Awful, first time and the last time! Also, try cutting your cilantro! No one wants the stems on there.
(2)Connor D.
The food is good, with fresh made tortillas and meat that is actually cooked there and has great flavor. There other ingredients are good and seem fresh and they have great dressings for the salads. The $5 Tuesdays are a great deal too. I will still choose authentic mom & pop taco truck style Mexican food any day, but I'll take cafe rio over the other counter style fast food Mexican places. My major beef with this place comes with the service. The line takes so long to get through, even if there's only a few people waiting it will still take a good 20 minutes to get your food, and that's with the crazy amount of employees they have working at one time. Seriously they have 20-25 employees working each time I go. The morale here is pretty bad. Employees look miserable and they obviously hate the stupid songs they're forced to sing and I've seen supervisors disrespect and humiliate employees. This leads to poor service The food is good here and my wife loves it so I do come back but every time I leave I'm always frustrated with the service or some new weird policy they have.
(3)Alex C.
Okay burritos, I still prefer qdoba or mucho burrito over this place. The wide variety of drinks is pretty cool though.
(3)Andy Z.
lunch food: the 5 dollar tuesday salad with pork. the tortillas are what its all about. i would say its inbetween a thin tortilla and indian naan bread. its thicker than most tortillas i had and this is so much better. ***5/5 service: fast food service similar to chipotle. i saw the prep hand some dough to a kid up front to play with. very friendly people. ***4/5 value: the amount of food is ridiculous. for 5 buck salads on tuesdays are totally worth it. even for my stomach, i almost couldnt finish their salad. plus that tortilla is totally worth it. ***5/5
(4)A T.
Long time cafe rio fan. You can't imagine my excitement when they were opening up just 15 minutes from my house! I've been to many in Utah and am addicted. But this location. AH! I am so frustrated! They are so slow. Sooooo sloooooow. You have to repeat everything multiple times and they just don't seem to get it. The food isn't as good either. Maybe they just don't toss it all in there right or don't pay as much attention to the recipes or something. It just isn't quite as good. It's still cafe rio and I will always love cafe rio. But I really can't stand this location. I wish they would fire everyone and start over.
(2)Mrs. A.
Takes forevvvvvvver to get through the line! I love the tortilla bread that is made in house. I don't think the rest of the food is that great. They get so busy that they are just slapping on all the ingredients and you don't have that much time to actually look at what they are grabbing to put on your food. I would say this place ok, just really ok. I think there needs to be a manager or Someone in charge on the floor to guide things along. Seems a little chaotic.
(3)Earnie G.
Cafe Rio fans, I don't get it. This is NOT great food, Mexican or any type. What am I missing? Burrito enchilada style with steak. The main thing I taste here is salt (and a little lime). No depth of flavor. And so much rice and beans that they drown out the small amount of meat. Cheese has no flavor. Tried both picos. Mild only has tomato taste. Spicy is overpowered by the mushy texture--especially the onion mush. Tasted all three salsas too. Mild is okay, but mainly taste like cooked tomatillos with little spice. Medium is tasty, but too much of a stew taste that doesn't really come through when used on the food. And it's too sweet. The hot is just gritty with dried spices (okay taste, but not great; sadly, probably the best tasting thing here). Tortillas are far too doughy and bread like. They remind me of dough balls made from Wonder bread, then flattened and cooked on a griddle. Didn't even bother to finish my order. Just don't get the popularity. And I know Utah has better Mexican food than this "Mexican food." I won't be back.
(1)Dean O.
Normally I really enjoy Cafe Rio but this time I need to comment on the poor food handling of the lettuce. I've seen it before but it's never affected me as much. Had the salad and they had to refill the lettuce before adding it to my dish. Only had the last few inches in their refill bucket along with a full inch of water. Dumped the whole thing into their prep table. Must have figured the holes in the pan would let the water drain off which it didn't. After the lettuce was put on my salad it not only diluted my dressing but washed of the seasoning from the pork. Wrecked the normally great taste. Was bad enough I pulled a to go lid and drained the sloppy liquid off. Picture is of the extra liquid mostly water and mess from draining the last part of my salad.
(2)Laura G.
The food is great as always! The service at the location is awful!! I came on a Saturday around 12 with less than 10 people in line it took us about 15 minutes to be asked what we'd like to order. Everything was ready to be made the employees were just moving like slugs. Very disappointed!
(2)Gretchen M.
Café Rio is my go-to place! While similar to Chipotle and Qdoba, I'm willing to drive a bit farther to go to Café Rio. There is a special item each day that you are unable to get on the other days of the week. My favorite by far is Saturday's shrimp tacos. Staff is always nice and accommodating. You get a large amount of food for the price. We were pleasantly surprised that on $5 Tuesdays that they don't skimp on the amount you receive.
(5)Mark B.
This place was okay. Perhaps I need to give it another visit to give it a fair review. But my first impression was another Qdoba or Chipotle. The set up felt real similar, but it was nice to see refreshing new menu and a lot of options not available at the previous restaraunts I've been to. I also saw that they have day specific specials. Perhaps I need to visit on different days as well. By chance the day I happened to come in, there was a new server training. However it wasn't her service that disappointed me, but the lack of help the other employees they were offering her. She needed help with POS and another employee had responded with such an unwelcoming attitude. I felt bad for the new employee. I got my food, and was not very impressed. I had the burrito enchilada style. The meat seemed a little dry and bland. Next time I would probably go with a salad or tacos. The chips and salsa were good on the other hand. They're guacamole queso was pretty interestiing as well. Maybe my next visit may entice me to give this place a few more stars.
(3)Danielle C.
Such an awful experience! My friend told me never to go to this location and I should have listened. Just wasted 45 minutes of my life to get a poorly made burrito! He didn't even make it right and was so confused that I wanted a burrito on a large tortilla and not a taco sized tortilla.... is that even a question? And he completely skipped the rice. Needless to say, Chipotle from here on out!
(1)Dan P.
I am glad that they opened up this location in Lynnwood. I used to eat here in LA pretty often. Tuesdays are good...:)
(4)Mike M.
Food is same price as a restaurant, the place was not clean , garage overflowing and most tables where dirty. The soda machines where out of syrup, had to ask four times before the fat kid with the attitude, yelled at my wife , "I'll get to it okay!!". Finally after finishing dinner we got soda and got out of there. Seemed like all but a few workers where on there cell phones texting instead of helping customers. Not what I expected from this place, I'll stick to Chipotle..
(2)Jennifer K.
i love visiting this place on taco-tuesday, but it is a mad house for sure! there are several different discount options..burrito, taco, enchilada, all for $5. they make it right in front of you so you can see exactly what's in it, so it's great for those who have food allergies (or are just picky!). i suggest calling ahead your order on tuesday, and picking up at the counter...it still takes quite some time (at least 30 mins?) but it's better than standing in line for 30 minutes. there are daily special the other days as well, but none are as popular as tuesday.
(4)Brant P.
I feel like I'm qualified enough to say this Cafe Rio is well below "normal Cafe Rio standards." I lived in a state (Utah) where Cafe Rios were plentiful for over 6 years, and I probably ate Cafe Rio once a week consistently throughout that time. When I first heard about a Cafe Rio coming to Washington, and more specifically Lynnwood, I was ecstatic. I drove all the way from Ferndale (roughly 2 hours one way) to eat at my all time favorite restaurant. The first trip was a little disappointing. Serving sizes were small, the wait was very long (in a short line), and the service was surprisingly bad! I figured, "Hey, they're a new store and they're probably still learning the ropes." I figured they'd improve over time. That was not the case, the 2nd and 3rd trip were equally as disappointing (and this was months later) I WANTED to like this place again, I really did, but it just wasn't up to par with what I had grown accustom to. It's probably fine and dandy to somebody who has never had Cafe Rio before because the food pretty much TASTES the same. It's just lacking in portion size, overall friendliness, and speed of service. The burritos, which is pretty much all I get, are probably 1/2 to 2/3 the size I'm used to seeing. Cafe Rio used to be 2 meals for me, now it's one...barely. What's worse, is that the Cafe Rios in Utah are busier (always), friendlier (always), have better portions (always), have quicker service (always), and taste better (always). It's just a downgrade in almost every single way possible. One of the worst parts, and probably my biggest complaint, is that the tortillas for the burritos are the same size (huge), so what you end up with at this Cafe Rio is very little rice, very little beans, very little meat, very little cheese, lot's of sauce, and a LOT of tortilla; that means a significant amount of your bites will essentially just be tortilla and sauce... Don't get me wrong, they have amazing sauce and tortillas, but nobody wants to eat a saucy, soggy, tortilla and pay 9 bucks for it. If you're from Utah, I believe you'll be terribly disappointed. If you've never tried it before, I'm sure it'll be an okay experience for you. The food isn't terrible, it's just terrible in comparison to other Cafe Rios. I probably will not be returning to THIS Cafe Rio, and I'm super disappointed about it.
(2)David V.
Food was good but the service was the worst of any location I have ever been. This place is mismanaged and a disaster.
(2)B W.
Tasty, fast, friendly, and reasonable portions for the price. Free quesadilla for children is a solid bonus. Highly recommend the enchilada style burrito. Also, the tortillas they use are great in all the dishes - reminds my wife and I of San Diego style tortillas.
(5)Jason D.
Great food, but hard to get. Parking is a nightmare so I've only been here once. I did go a second time but they had a sign that said closed early. Everything I've had here was really good but doubt I'll go back because there's no way to get to it easy for to-go or a quick bite. You have to park far away and walk. Especially for to-go this is not a good way to do business... That's my two-cents :)
(3)Chris O.
"Lost in Translation" I've been to Cafe Rio in Utah numerous times, and generally rate them 5 stars. I was so excited when they opened here in Seattle!!! But... while much of it is the same (the interior looks the same, and the food generally looks the same, portions are good sized, etc.), some important things are not. 1) The food is blander here. The sauces, including the hot, are simply not spicy nor flavorful. Sure I can use some of the bottled sauces to perk things up but it's just not inherently as tasty as it is in Utah. 1a) On the contrary, the salsa for the chips and salsa is not bland... but it's bad. Sort of an offensively potent vinegar/onion mix. Hard to rate a Mexican place above 3 stars when their salsa isn't right. 2) The wait. The last 3 times I've been here they only seem to be able to handle about 1 customer per minute. There were 20 people in front of us... so 20 minutes. In Utah it was easily twice as fast. In Utah the staff seem focused, proud of and passionate about their food. Here the workers seem sad and unmotivated. Maybe it has something to do with being in a mall. 3) They are bipolar about what to charge for. Simple meals for kids 6 and under for free are fantastic. But they charge $1 for a side of sour cream or extra salad dressing? Weird. I wrote off a lot of these thoughts at first to them starting a new restaurant and working out the kinks. But they have not changed or improved at all in the past 6 months. So I wish I could be more of a fan... but I'm not.
(3)Roxanne K.
Service is weak. I haven't even gotten my food and I'm ready to right a bad review. Service is so slow, no one greeted us, no one knows what they're doing. Ugh. This is bad!
(1)Brad E.
ok...I know i'm rating fast food Mexican 5 stars. Cafe Rio is different. World's best hand made tortillas only minutes old. Their quesadillas are lots of cheese with tasty steak on the world's best tortilla. It might be fast food but it's remarkably good.
(5)phil n.
Food and service are equally awful. Upon informing worker no 1 that it was my first time here, the entire crew brike out in a scripted unenthusiastic harmonious cheer like saying. I asked what was good and they gave me the expected one liner, "everything." I had a barbacoa burrito, which I expected would come with a giid helping of pico de galleo, but it came with less than a spoonful, so was not only my burrito dry, it was bland. When I asked for a little more they said it would cost a dollar. The rice was overly aldente and the pinto beans tasted like it came from a can. The service stinks as most of them there seem like they dont want to be there. Stay clear of this wannabe chipotle. Go to chipotle and be happy.
(1)Mathew A.
I love Cafe Rio but I stopped in at 3:00 pm on a Saturday afternoon, walked 3 blocks from the only parking space I could find only to have a single employee working the line. I hate having to wait, not because the line is long but because there are insufficient staff.
(2)FirstName L.
First off, I'd like to say that today was my first time coming here so I didn't know to expect besides the reading the reviews on here. I ordered the pork burrito (enchilada style) with lettuce, sour cream, and pico de gallo. The burrito was okay -- nothing too special. I may or may not come back.
(3)Clarissa C.
I just moved to the area from UT, where Cafe Rios are plentiful and delicious. We used to have one just down the street and it was one of my favorite places to eat, so I was thrilled to find that there was a Cafe Rio in Lynnwood. I made the 20 minute drive from my home in Kirkland already tasting that delicious sweet pork. When I walked in the door though, an odd smell greeted me. It smelled like urine throughout the front eating area. I thought maybe someone had changed a kids diaper or something so I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I ordered a salad but was absolutely disgusted at the state of the food line. It was gross! There were bits of food spilling into each other, and dried bits of beans and cheese all scattered around the edges. There was also freezer burned ice all around the cooler holding the food, making me think it hadn't been cleaned in quite a while. I was also unimpressed by the bored looking teen manning the salad ingredients. After the sparkling salad bar and quick and generous hands I'd grown used to in UT, I was pretty disappointed but I was still SO craving the sweet pork and yummy dressing so I decided to take my salad and hope for the best. After I had taken a few bites of the lettuce on top I got a nice big bite of meat and tortilla--and immediately spit it out! I'm not sure where the mold was, probably on the tortilla, which are supposed to be made fresh daily but which I noticed came from a bag this time, since they didn't even have hot ones cooking when I was there. I'm not normally one to give bad reviews, but the manager/owner REALLY needs to see this and fix something. It's the first Cafe Rio in the area and I would LOVE to see it to well, so that I won't have to wait for trips to UT to get one of my favorite meals.
(1)Lorraine B.
Amazing! Was so excited when they opened, I used to go to the one in Manhattan Beach! Love all their food, finally someone in Washington state is making good tortillas and the key lime pie is to die for!
(5)Brian W.
OMG this was surprisingly very good. They make "homemade" tortillas right there in front of you. I tried the $5 meal and got the Burrito.I filled it with sweet bbq pork, beans, rice and more. It was just so good. They even have a great selection of self served drinks. I loved the different lemonades too.
(4)Richard P.
This place has gone downhill. Use to love this place. Rice was undercooked, out of grilled chicken. And barbocoa at 3 pm?. Service was rude, the gal needs to quit if she is going to act like she hates her job
(2)Gilbert N.
This update is only about the quality of service. The food has still been great but the rude, untrained staff definitely ruin the experience... I understand that most of the employees are new but they should at least have some interpersonal skills. We had a take out order and they ignored my wife for five minute and snapped at her when they did talk. I'm not sure we'll be giving them our business until they've had a little time to train their employees a little better.
(2)Taylor S.
I love going there for my weekly chile roast beef burrito. Great way to break the Del Mar/Chipotle monotony.
(5)Theresa R.
Tried this spot for lunch. We were there around noonish on a Saturday - Alderwood Mall location. Was not busy at all!! Ordering is a bit of a chore as the menus are on off to the side or behind you, not easy to see and I have very bad short term memory!!! I ordered the chicken quesadilla; my hubby got the tacos with steak. Quesadilla does not come with any sides (which is fine as it is pretty good size and packed with chicken). Chicken was flavorful but not really spicy. The only thing that bothered me was the level of salt - way too much. The tortilla was great - loved the taste and texture. My husband loved his taco - seasoned "perfectly" he said. He loved the black beans and the rice that it comes with. I tasted the rice and it was cooked perfectly and seasoned nicely. We ordered a tres leche to split. Comes with strawberries and whipped cream. It was a little sweeter than some I have had - but otherwise full of flavor, creamy, a hint of caramel and decadent. Ambiance - the inside looks like its a mix of a typical Mexican restaurant (with tequila posters, animal skulls, and "art" on the walls) and an art class gone wild. The chairs and tables (which we loved) look like paint was splashed on them. The colors are bright and cheerful. The music is a bit loud and the playlist was not Mexican (mostly a mix of current pop hits). I would like to visit again and try the other chicken on the menu, maybe this time as a taco. The price was okay - a little spendy - but not bad.
(4)Laura F.
Service was extremely slow and there was only one cashier. I had to remind the food preps what I had ordered and even after multiple reminders I did not get everything I had requested. Servings sizes are HUGE, but the meat dry and burnt. Decor is unique, very colorful , chairs are wooden and very uncomfortable. There is limited outdoor seating, so on a nice day take advantage of the sunshine and go outside.
(2)Robyn G.
My husband and I love Cafe Rio. We have been eating at Cafe Rio for 10+ years, and it is one of our favorite places. We were very excited when a Café Rio was built close to where we live. Unfortunately, we have had one bad experience after another with this location. For our most recent order, the fire grilled chicken was burned and the rice was crunchy. It seems like the quality of the food always seems to go down on Tasty Tuesday. In the past we have dealt with incorrect orders placed over the phone, phone orders that haven't even been started when we arrived to pick them up, very long wait times in line when there are few customers, and apathetic employees. During one visit, I ordered chips and queso. The employee preparing it did not give me salsa with it. When the employee working at the cash register informed the other employee that chips and queso comes with salsa he replied "I don't care". As I said before, my husband and I love Café Rio and we will continue to go to the locations when we are in Utah but we no longer plan to eat at the Lynnwood location. We don't understand how such a wonderful company can have a location that is so far off the mark. I don't even feel comfortable recommending it to my friends because of all the bad experiences we have had. I know we are not the only Café Rio fans who feel this way and we hope that something can be done to fix this problem.
(1)Just Call Me Brain V.
FREE MEAL! well not so much here. I've had many-a-visit to Café Rio's in Utah. All were great. When they first came here, my wife even made a special trip all the way from Renton because we loved Cafe Rio and she got me my "usual", steak burrito, hot, pinto beans, enchilada style and side of pico because I was work. Well the burrito was "ok." It had a plastic smell to it like something plastic got caught in the oven. But I was excited to have my usual in WA now! Then over the holidays, I finally stopped by the Lynnwood (Alderwood Mall) Café Rio. I ordered my "usual" along with extra tortillas to take home. The service was decent. The young man who took my order was personable in a cocky kinda manner (hey I used to be that way) but his hickeys didn't do him any service. I didn't see any of the meats being freshly made like they do in Utah (in plain sight of the customer) so they must have been doing the cooking in the back? In any case, my steak was COLD. even after putting all the goodness into the fresh tortilla, the enchilada style sauce and cheese was barely heated/melted from the oven and the cheese inside the burrito did not even melt. Moreover, the beans were cold, as was the meat. I think the server dude yanked the burrito out of the oven too soon (and even forgot to place the steak sliver on the outside of the burrito to let the cashier know what was ordered..) The red chili sauce was not hot at all (as it used to be.) In fact, it tasted like it was watered down a little too much. Don't change the recipe of the red chili for the masses please! So I couldn't eat all the burrito (which is a good thing) and took it home. After reheating ala' cooking it in the oven at home, it was goodness once again. Presentation-wise, it looks like the "usual." The restaurant looks familiar. The fun from the staff seems to be missing. Corporate, please check your store! Don't make me go back to Chipotle!
(3)Emily B.
Love it!!!! Everyone has always been pretty nice here, and the food is awesome! The prices aren't too bad either.
(5)Brad H.
Was very excited to see Cafe Rio open in Washington State. Having enjoyed their amazing food in Utah, it was nice to see some new options in Seattle. Sadly, Utah Cafe Rio's hand down beat Lynnwood's. Granted the staff at Lynnwood is new, but even a month after opening a very busy store, they are still confused about orders, look frazzled, make no small talk and generally do not look happy. Also, watch your order carefully at the register, they have twice tried to charge to much by not ringing up the right items, both times charging more of course. My advice, skip this one and wait for Chipolte to open in Alderwood.
(3)Tu-Ha N.
TASTY TUESDAY IS FANTASTIC! $5 for each plate, you get to pick from: a Burrito, Tacos, Quesadilla or Salad. My husband gives the burrito meal 4 stars. My friend and I give the taco plate 4 stars also. The place was packed on Tuesday. In a span of one hour, we saw the line stretch to the door three times. We were told that the tomatillo sauce with the salad is a "must have." More good things to look forward to. Bravo! PS: Bathroom was very clean and well stocked.
(4)Christine R.
We recently moved here from Utah (where Cafe Rio is legendary), so OF COURSE we had to come here! Now, for those who are less acquainted, the real story here is the pork burrito, and you should definitely get it enchilada style. The pork salad is also very popular, but I personally prefer the burrito. Be advised that this is definitely not traditional Mexican, but that's okay because it is crazy delicious. I'm also partial to their strawberry lemonade, and their tres leches cake is divine. Now, a couple of comments about this restaurant specifically... I think their pork recipe tastes different than the ones I've had in Utah. It tastes like it has too much adobo, and that makes it slightly less awesome. Also, the staff could use a lot more enthusiasm when they do the "Nacho nacho man" thing. It's a little pathetic...whereas the Utah restaurants were always hip and happenin! Otherwise, we've always had good experiences here. Great place for dates and families.
(4)Madeline D.
I went here for tasty tuesday, where everything is $5. I had heard good reviews, but I wasnt expecting much, however I was pleasantly suprised. This place left chiptole/taco bell in the dust. I think what really set it apart was the thick tortillas, they were delicous! The only thing that would improve it is more filling options but I will definitly be back!
(5)Tony B.
Despite being premixed somewhere else, their hand-made tortillas are great. I love their texture and flavor. For my first visit I opted for the barbacoa pork tacos. Never again! While the pork was cooked to perfection, it was WAY too sweet. It's like it was slow cooked in sugar/syrup/honey. This, to me is not Mexican or even Texas Mex. It's dessert. The barbacoa is a good option for those with a sweet tooth. The rice and beans are well seasoned and enjoyable. Sadly, there is a sign on the wall with the word "Gringo" in it. It seems to me that the word "gringo" is a disparaging word. Some can argue that point all day but the choice to put a controversial sign on the wall shows either disrespect or stupidity. Next time I feel hungry at the mall, I'm going to Cinnabon.
(2)Moof M.
I heard so many amazing things about this place and was seriously disappointed by my visit on opening day. The wait time to order was not a problem. The friendliness of the staff was not a problem. The food saddened me greatly. I got a Steak burrito. The flour tortilla was rubbery and the steak was kind of bland. The pico de gallo was pretty good, though. They do charge an extra $1.95 for a small scoop of Guacamole and an extra 50¢ for a small scoop of sour cream. I didn't realize my $7 burrito was now $12 after taxes and add-ons. I felt nickel and dimed. I work in the mall, there is no mall employee discount and will not be returning... EVER.
(1)Diane K.
Food is five stars but place is like a zoo and need to wait at least 30 min during busy times..
(4)Katie Z.
Amazing food and friendly service! I got the fire grilled chicken tacos and the tres leches dessert. They were both delicious. I can't wait to try the other things on the menu. The line can be long (I had walked by a few times to check the place out), but you can order online and just pick it up and eat there if you want. I can't wait to try their salads and tortilla soup. They have really good salsa too- has a nice kick to it. :)
(5)Doug Y.
I am updating my review and dropping them a star after eating at another Cafe Rio. This place just doesn't match up in quality and service to other Cafe Rios. Just to be clear, I still love Cafe Rio, but would be hesitant to rave about the service/food at this location.
(3)Amanda B.
Got a burrito, enchilada style, with shredded chicken. Definitely a much more authentic Mexican taste than I expected, featuring a delicious fresh made tortilla. Chicken was a little bland, would come again though. It was a little loud since it was very kid friendly. Also, it seemed a bit overpriced for what it was, many sit down Mexican restaurants would probably offer better value. Overall a decent meal, very satisfied. Huge portions (but that's actually a downside for me personally).
(4)Jim D.
I hate to give them a bad rating because we didn't actually eat there. We were there on Saturday about 6:30. There were about 35 people in front of us and in about 10 minutes the person at the front hadn't moved an inch. The tables are small and close together and it was extremely noisy. Will give them another chance when it is less busy.
(3)Neda G.
This seems to be our go to place for quick service and great food! You could say my wife is a little obsessed! The chicken is amazing as well at the pork. If you are in the area, please stop by and order a chicken salad. Fresh tortillas and horchata is absolutely amazing! You might actually find my wife and I there!
(4)Jen S.
We love this place! We went yesterday to eat and I had to go back again today. The coconut shrimp tacos are unbelievable! Also, the homemade tortillas are so delicious and chewy- I highly recommend!
(5)Mel -.
Food=Amazing! Rios food was great, the taste, the preparation, I enjoyed eating it! Too bad I finished in under 7 minutes. The portions were tiny and felt like a waste of money. I really did enjoy my food but the fact that the portion was ring really ruined my experience. Something else that ruined my experience was the woman at the cash register. I was really upset with how negative her energy was. Her voice was monotone and not very friendly. However, the man making my food was very well mannered, polite, and friendly. I could tell he was really doing his best to do a good job.
(3)Kim I.
This place is delicious! You must go in with the assumption that it is not true Mexican food. Given that caveat, I love the food! What I love: - the tortillas are freshly made - they do enchilada style with lots of sauce and melted cheese - the spices on the meats were tasty and flavorful (I tried chicken and steak) - There are aguas frescas! I love horchata! Room for improvement: - there is too much food...for a relatively small person like me, I'd like some menu items that were not so enormous (re heating the next day just isn't as delicious). I tried the kids menu most recently because I wanted less food, and the tortilla just wasn't as good or fresh. - the chips and guac could have been fresher (may have been the day I visited)
(4)Sophisticated T.
Finally a chain Mexican restaurant that actually pays attention to fresh ingredient a and inspired recipes. Hand made tortillas are the best I've had. They are made right I front of you and cooked to perfection. I love that they have a different special each day which gives the menu some variety. Recently had lunch catered to our office and was extremely impressed. My favorite is the salad with chicken and fresh mint limeade.
(5)RD B.
The pork burrito (enchilada style) was so delicious, it was bonkers. All the food is locally sourced and incredibly fresh. I want this place to succeed, but it lacks some of the fun and whimsy of its Utah counterparts. At other Cafés Rio the people working there are having fun and it shows. It is infectious. This Cafe Rio seems to be missing that.
(4)Brent C.
Very happy to see Cafe Rio expand out of Utah. Can't beat the pork burrito and salad. Can't give a 5 because there is room for improvement, not as blown away as in the old days in Utah when you would wait through a Disney long line for an Amazing burrito.
(4)Kenneth B.
I had the Shrimp Tacos, and they were pretty good. The speed the food came out was very quick as well. The staff was friendly. I will be going back
(4)Samantha C.
FINALLY! I moved to WA from UT several months ago and have really missed this place. Their food is much tastier than the competitors. The pork salads, burritos, queso, tacos.. really - I've never been disappointed. So wishing the spot was a tad more convenient to run into - the Alderwood Mall parking can get out of control. Hoping that get a couple "to go" spots reserved so we will be willing to frequent more!
(5)Becca F.
Best chicken salad. Ever! The dressing is amazing. The pork barbacoa salad or burrito is delicious if you like pork.
(5)Lee B.
Mexican food similar to chipotle, although Chipotle tastes much better. On the day I visited they were missing 2 of the 4 standard meat ingredients: grilled chicken and beef. The employees were polite and apologetic about the missing menu items. Since the beef was not available I tried the pork. The menu described the pork sauce as sweet, and it was disturbingly sweet ... Like pork bathed in caramel. The others in my party waited 25 minutes for the grilled chicken and were generally happy with the meal. The meals were served in disposable aluminum pie pans. There were no cans for recycling.
(2)Mike B.
The food and service are great. The pork is the best. Wasn't impressed with only getting one stamp for ordering 3 items, other locations have always stamped per item ordered if it's a main item. The constant chanting nacho macho song is annoying, the line takes forever and service is slow and unorganized. Most likely due to poor management and it being a new store. Customers are rude, they tie up tables while they wait for the food from placing to go orders, rather then getting their food and then finding seating. Not that I wouldn't go back cause I will, but if time is a factor don't go here. But if you want great food with annoying and slow service, this is your place.
(4)Melissa B.
I've been to this place twice now. I love Mexican food and had been looking for a Rubios replacement since moving away from Southern California. I've only ever had their tacos but they certainly met my expectations. The only complaint I would have is that they tend to be busy. I usually end up waiting in line about 10 minutes and have limited selection on seating. They are at the Aldereood Mall so while there is plenty of parking it may not be near the restaurant. Overall, I'd recommend this place.
(4)A M.
Here in a Saturday. The line took 30 minutes to get through. Had a shredded chicken salad which I wouldn't recommend. The lettuce pieces were huge and impossible to eat or mix with the other salad ingredients. So much water was left on the lettuce my salad was soggy. The drinks were not stocked with two specialty drinks gone and 2 fountain drinks not working. The clerk at the cash register was extremely rude. Bathroom was dirty with garbage littering the floor.
(2)Anna H.
This is my second time at Cafe Rio. This time I ordered online which was very convenient. I had the Chicken Tostada. The lettuce was very fresh, no hint of browning or wilting. The portion was big! The container was packed and had a full layer of big chunks of chicken. Their sauces are really yummy too. The only thing I didn't like was that the chicken was a tad too salty.
(4)H. L.
Move over Chipolte, there's a new sheriff in town!! Specializing in fresh Mexican fare, this place does it right. Their taco salads are huge, as are the burritos. My current favorite are the shrimp tacos, which are the Saturday special. They come with this great mango salsa. Yum! Kids under 6 can get a free quesadilla, which is perfect for my two year old. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a great taco!!!
(4)Nicole D.
I was really excited to come here since I love Mexican food and really enjoy Chipotle and I heard this place was better. The line was really long which did not bother me because I knew they were a new place and the food was suppossed to be good. The people making my salad obviously did not know anything about food handling. The lady was cleaning all around the open containers of food with a wasckioth soaked in cleaning solution ( this lady was wearing gloves) then she would put the towel down and stick her hands in the cheese to mix it up, with the same gloves on that she had used to clean the counters with the cleaning solution!! Also she kep rubbing her eyes and face with the gloves on and then making the burritos/salads with the same gloves on, it was disgusting. I let it slide and with my Fiance's convincing me to eat my food I did. I got the pork salad which everyone says is amazing. It was disgustingly sweet and did not taste anything like Mexican food did. I always clear my plate and because it was so sweet I was not able to. They also forgot to add the rice to my meal and I am pretty sure switched my salad with the lady in front of me because she had ordered the same as me except no rice. I got both salad dressings on the side to try and the creamy one was ok but the vinagarette was sour and gross. My fiance got a burrito and said it was equally gross. I will not be coming back and was upset with the quality of food and food handling procedures of the employees.
(1)Bryce M.
Went there tonight for the VIP night. This place is on point. The food was delicious and the service was fast, despite a super long line. I was amazed at how well the employees kept track of all the orders. If you're going for the first time, you must try the Sweet Pork Barbacoa Burrito or Salad. It will change your life for the better. The horchata is good. The mint limeade is good. It's all good. I'll be back soon.
(5)Michael R.
Good service, being nice and quick. The food is nothing spectacular but they have a lot of different flavored drinks which is great. Another added bonus is you get a free cheese quesadilla for children 6 and under which is great when you have picky toddlers.
(3)Andrew S.
Their chants sound like little kids reciting the pledge of allegiance. GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE!!
(4)H B.
The salad and queso dip is delicious! Love the cilantro lime dressing. The only down side is the wait.
(4)Echo G.
My daughter and I went there for the first time this last weekend. We both ordered a chicken burrito enchilada style . The scoop of sour cream is extra and is about a half teaspoon full. We got water cups instead of a paid soda pop . $18.70. At that price I'm thinking this will be awesome. It was awful. The burrito was meat was dry but the burrito was soupy. I know enchilada style and it does not equal a tray of soup. We both only ate about five bites and thru the rest out. Such a bummer. Our family of six usually goes out to eat when we are at the mall and I am disappointed and so should the restaurant that you will not be getting my hearty ticket business. I have heard positive about this place ... It's anything but
(1)Nevara S.
The first time I went I ordered a chicken burrito enchilada style and wasn't too impressed. After a friend raved about the sweet pork barbacoa, I tried that in a burrito enchilada style with red sauce (my absolute favorite thing to eat) and in a salad with the cilantro dressing (soooo good!).
(5)Brandon B.
New location in the Alderwood Mall. Still working out some growing pains, went on a Saturday afternoon for lunch and the place was hoppin'! Being a new place, I would think the team would be better prepared for a high influx of patrons wanting to try it out. The efficiency of the serving line left a bit to be desired. Too many people on the line who weren't clear on their respective tasks. Also, the bathroom situation is not ideal - single occupants only and separated by sex. Ideally, there should be two unisex bathrooms in order to get people in and out faster, instead of waiting for their respective washroom. The food, however, made it all worth it. Fresh ingredients, tortillas to die for, and a vast array of beverage options. Having a little one with me the free niño quesadilla was an awesome touch. Overall, I think this will be a 5-star place once they find their routine.
(4)Krystle E.
Absolutely delicious! Stopped by and luckily it was their $5 Tuesday special! We had the salad with yummy tomatillo dressing and the vegetarian burrito. Portions were huge, we couldn't finish everything and although the line was long it moved rather quickly. So happy we tried this new place out. Fresh and inexpensive and so worth it!
(5)Mark B.
People who review Cafe Rio and compare it to a Mexican restaurant are right. This isn't a Mexican restaurant. It's one of many Mexican-style restaurants that have popped up to cater to our interest in fresh food served quickly. With that out of the way, Cafe Rio in Lynnwood is a good find. Fresh food and handmade tortillas make this a great meal. Taco Tuesday is my favorite with a $5 taco meal. Add chips, salsa and guac and you have a meal you can share with your partner. I love the sweet pork. The steak is good, too. If I want a good Mexican dinner at a sit-down restaurant, there are several nearby in Lynnwood. If I want to catch a quick bite of tasty Mexican-style food, I'm off to Cafe Rio. Different than Taco Del Mar and Chipotle, Cafe Rio has its own style and taste. It's worth a trip to the mall.
(4)Lisa C.
The pork alone is worth 5 stars but the lack of everything else brings my rating way down. If it wasn't for the amazing pork, I would never go back. If you order right off the menu, the prices are fair enough but don't you dare ask for anything extra because not only will you get huffed at with rolling eyes but you will also pay heavily for it. Everything but the lettuce is very limited so you HAVE to ask for more just to cover it all! And, why is everything always in slow motion in there? There was ONE guy in front of me and it still took me 10 full minutes to get through the line! Do you actually train your staff to look and act so miserable?!?! SMILE people! Ugh! So frustrated with Cafe Rio's lack of customer service. Workers standing around while the line builds up behind me. Our office moved within walking distance about 7 months ago and I've probably been to Cafe Rio 10 times. Every time I swear I am done. But the pork, the pork calls me back but my visits are getting fewer and fewer...
(2)Andrew H.
Food was ok, nothing special. I had a chicken burrito and my wife had the pork tacos. I ordered it medium spicy but it was very mild. The only redeeming thing about it was that it was a fairly large portion. My wife's sweet pork tacos were tastier but the portion size was not that large. I would try Antojo's on Hwy 99 or the little place just off of 181 for much more authentic tasting Mexican food before going back here Based on the food alone I might have given this place a higher review but it was the service that left a bad taste in my mouth. My wife asked for the lime / cilantro sauce on the side and we were told it would be extra. Really!?! When a person is spending $20+ on some entrees you need to stick them with a petty extra fee? While waiting to pay we decided to ask if we could add on chips and salsa. The person between the cashier and the one that made our food had a very snotty attitude when she said yes as if it was a major inconvenience to her. These are probably the two main reasons why we will never come back. There are tons of other places that appreciate the business and do not gauge the customers for little extras such as a side of sauce. My suggestion for the future is to be a little stingier with the snotty attitude and a little more liberal with the sauces.
(2)Mike B.
Best fake Mexican food around. Order anything with the pork barbacoa (especially the salad) and you won't be disappointed. Order anything else and you might be.
(5)Adrianne P.
Just tried this place after hearing good things about it. So BOMB! lol I got a chicken burrito. The food tastes fresh and the tortillas are also made fresh in front of you. They did just open so let's see how they are in a month but so far so good. Also $5 Tuesday yes please! Haha
(5)Mile K.
My co-workers had been hyping this place for months before it opened. So when it opened, my wife and I gave it a try. It was such a let down The food was bland and and uninspired. The service was fine, but I would not try this again. Once was enough.
(1)james m.
1:45 on a Sunday afternoon, NO RICE! 15 minute wait for rice. How does that happen? Rice is part of most of the menu. Poor poor management.
(1)Chris S.
3 words: Pork Barbecoa Nachos. This place is in a class of its own. To anyone who makes the lame, "it's not authentic Mexican food" argument, let me point out that "authentic" Mexican food consists of a lot of roadkill. The food is fresh and delicious. The tortillas are banged out fresh on a big wheel as you watch. The sauces are all delicious and the service is friendly. The only complaint I have is that they won't let you do sauce substitutions. If someone doesn't like pico, why not let them swap for hot sauce instead? Make your customers happy and don't charge them when it costs you absolutely nothing to trade one sauce for another!
(5)Mark W.
So much better than Chipotle or Qdoba. Pork burrito enchilada style is where it's at.
(5)Hilary M.
The tortillas are AMAZING!! I was surprised at how good this place was. The service is a little slow and disorganized, but it is new so I think that is to be expected. The food was fabulous though. It is totally worth trying out. With one exception, the sweet pork is way too sweet. Everything else was spot on!
(5)Jamie Z.
Better than Chipotle! Fresh tortillas, great salsa, amazing guacamole, and good meat choices. Sweet Pork Barbacoa was great, fire grilled steak was tender! Alderwood finally has a decent Mexican restaurant!
(4)Jolene H.
Elsie and her crew are great at customer service, and the food is tasty! Be prepared...they will sing songs here!
(5)Midori N.
Only giving a 1 star because I have too. Service is horrible unless you like waiting around with 3 others to order while the works including the manger talk rudely/unprofessional in front of you, then after awhile come and take your order like your troubling them to only walk away from you again while ordering. Like really?! If I didn't have my sleepy child with me I would of giving that little prick of a manger a lesson that fraternizing in the work place doesn't cancel out the fact the little girl your hitting on is 16. This restaurant is ran poorly and it's not hidden well.
(1)Rich L.
The food isn't bad at all and price point wise a lot better deal then the competitors around. They've got some bomb things on the menu and other things that taste worse then taco b3ll. Service is always spot on and super friendly. The only thing I wish they would regulate are all the people smoking outside right next to where were siting and eating.
(4)Dustin C.
Went on a Saturday late afternoon and it was very busy! Same great taste and freshness I experienced in Utah. Got the roast beef burrito which I think is new and it was great. Can't wait till they get a location closer to downtown Seattle!
(5)Jenny J.
Five stars for quick, good food. It's not authentic Mexican...but super good. Not to mention free kids meals. Pork salad is awesome and do are the burritos...just get them enchilada style. The staff needs done additional training...they seem stressed.
(5)Jessica F.
If you do not get the Pork Salad you have done yourself a great disservice!!! All the negative reviews here are from either trying other types of meet or not getting the salad. I have never met someone who tried the pork salad and didn't LOVE it. I work near here and some of my girlfriends went one day and got the chicken quesadilla and didn't really like it, then I made them go back and order the pork salad and now they can't stay away! Seriously, this is one of the past meals you will have under $10. It is also more food then one person can eat so share it with someone else. ENJOY!!!
(5)Lisa S.
The staff were very friendly and for the most part understood everything, although it seemed like there were too many people behind the counter for what needed to be done. Onto the food: My husband had the sweet barbacoa burrito and it was too sweet for him to eat without adding hot sauce. He couldn't even finish it. I ordered plain nachos with just cheese. (No price difference from the 8.50 that I would've paid had I asked for beans, meat, etc.) They tasted like plastic. My husband said it was the oil that the cooked the chips in that made them taste like that. He also ordered a side of rice. Overall, not very flavorful. I did appreciate that they offered a cheese quesadilla for free for kids under 6. Sadly, our 2 year old didn't eat it. Kind of suprising since she would normally eat a cheese quesadilla that we make at home. Also, they didn't have the Tres Leches cake, which we weren't informed about until they tried to get it at the register. Not a huge deal, but would've been nice to know about up front. Suprised that this place could be marked as #1 in the nation considering the food wasn't good. We won't be returning.
(2)Brad W.
I just wanted to say that I am so excited that one opened up here. Prior to moving here from out of state I would frequent the local Cafe Rio restaurants. This was one thing that I missed about home. There are lots of similar places in Washington, but I don't feel that any of them are as good. I strongly recommend a pork burrito, enchilada style with hot sauce - bonus points for sour cream and gauc. Their salads are great too.
(5)Jeff C.
It's been years since I've had Cafe Rio in Utah. I was pleased to find that my enchilada style pork Barbacoa burrito was just like the memory of the last time we met. So delicious. I went with my family on Saturday for lunch, and it was busy but not crazy. I fear that the locals will mistake this place for another chipotle or qdoba. It's not; it's better by far. So lucky to have this nearby. Also, my 4 and 6 year olds enjoyed their free (always) Niño cheese quesadillas.
(5)Tom P.
Very delicious and great portions. I like their shredded beef, also the verde salsa. Yelp is picky about my review length so here is a bunch of meaningless text: the he is don't I yes but Jefferson exasperated vent lollipop
(4)CY L.
I visited this place three times in the past two weeks. i like the fresh tortilla and vegetables. Good portion and reasonable price. i recommend the sweet pork, it's really good.
(4)Amy J.
I found Café Rio in Las Vegas, NV (where I am from) so I was super excited when they opened up a location in Lynnwood. The food was just as good as I remember, however the person who fixed our food must not have been having a very good day. I ordered a burrito and the guy just started dumping beans and rice in the tortilla even before I could say that I didn't want beans or rice. Then he gave me a mean look when I told him. To be fair, it was very busy.
(3)Dan W.
Cafe Rio is amazing! If you haven't been before, it's like a bolder more flavorful version of Chipotle. The pork burrito (enchilada style, with the red sauce and black beans) is my favorite. It's the kind of burrito that you can eat for lunch and be full for the rest of the day. Also, young kids (7 and under, I think) get a free cheese quesadilla.
(5)Hgames R.
Really disappointing experience. Their salads are not friendly for people who are watching carbs. They come standard with a tortilla, rice, beans, tortilla strips (all of which were glopped on before I could stop them), but no cheese, sour cream or salsa. The beef was completely flavorless and the lettuce pieces were so big I couldn't even fit them in my mouth! Back to Chipotle for me...
(1)Kate S.
Disappointing compared to Chipotle. We ordered a veggie burrito and a roast beef salad. Liked the enchilada style burrito (amazing sauce and not enough places offer this option), fresh tortillas, and the strawberry lemonade. The beans & rice in the burrito were nothing special. Hubby ordered his salad to be low carb, without the rice & beans & chips, so he thought it was quite boring, and the serving of meat was very small. Serving of guacamole was quite small and unflavorful.
(3)