My husband and I went to Cafe Rio for dinner while on a road trip. I ordered a rice bowl. It was big and very tasty. They also gave me a tortilla on the side. It was so so good...homemade! My husband had enchiladas which were a bit small and just OK but with the rice and beans to complete the meal it was substantial enough. The service was slow at first as there was an entire softball team ahead of us and the staff still managed to serve all of them in a timely manner. read more

I ordered a quesadilla and it was overly greasy and yucky. Too much grease. Chicken super dry. Too much seasoning.

Plus side: * Good portion of chicken on the salad. * Salad was well prepared * Chicken tacos (Tuesday special - only $2.89) were tasty. " Two of three staffers were pleasant. Guy doing the initial prep kept up a nice smile the whole order. Kudos to him. Minus side: * One of the preparers was kinda surly. I was polite and spoke pleasantly to her, so this wasn't on me. * Same preparer overcooked the tortillas on the tacos. Left the grill for a while and that's how it goes. * Tomato stem area included in the two of the diced tomatoes. Sigh. Attention to detail, please. Worth a visit overall. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Taco Tuesday. Exclude the stems on tomatoes next time. - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Much like Qdoba, you order the style, protein and sides for your meal. I'd never been before and was pleasantly surprised. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Carne Asada salad - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Good food, good service and what I like most is that the good food and good service is consistent at every Cafe Rio. I love the Pollo Asada bowl, my wife likes the pulled pork. The truth is you can't go wrong with either one they're both great and let's not even start talking about how good the tortillas are. They're literally made fresh right in front of you while you're ordering your food. If you've never been here before I highly recommend you try this place at least once! read more

First time visiting this chain. Generally compares with Chipotle or Qdoba, but I liked this one better. Wide range of food options. The meat and ingredients/toppings were very fresh. They have a lot of vegetarian options and everything can be customized to whatever you like. Portions are large. Be prepared to carry home some leftovers. The drink station was impressive, with a variety of iced teas, lemonades, and horchata. The staff were friendly and patient. The restaurant was clean. Plenty of tables and places to sit. There is a patio where you can eat outside if the weather cooperates. read more

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First time here, had bad service. Meat was over cooked. Above all the customer service was horrible. Would not recommend this place at all. read more

Really fresh good food, taco Tuesday deal is a steal. Much better than chipotle in terms of freshness and the amount of options. If you want spicy they got it, if you want flavor they got it. The deals on the app sometimes are excellent as well. read more

Service is always great even when super busy! The food is always fresh. The staff aims to please. I am a frequent customer.

Quick lunch salad. I knew exactly what I wanted so that made my order quick & easy for the fast paced staff. Salad with tortilla, rice, black beans, shredded chicken & all the toppings. Vinaigrette on the side. If you're new, there's so many choices & options. Ambiance is always bright & spacious. Staff here are very energetic & fun. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Salad with tortilla - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Not worth it to order online through the app, took about 45 minutes to get my food and that was ~30 minutes after the estimated time. They were nice and apologetic, while it was during a rush would've been way better to just go in person. Every time I order through the app it's a similar situation. Would recommend just going inside, don't bother with the app or online. Not as easy as advertised. read more

19 dollars for 1 plate without a drink and no togo containers, go somewhere else lol gmfu

The service was quick & friendly. My friend and I each ordered a vegan bean, rice & guac burrito. It was pretty tasty but it was extremely salty. It got the job done tho. We wouldn't seek this place out but it certainly fulfilled a need when we were passing through town. read more

I have been going here for seven years and every time I'm there I always am surprised about how amazing it is!!! The food is exquisite, I definitely recommend the sweet pork. And the service is also amazing. Sometimes there is a line but it always goes extremely fast and they can make your dish in a matter of minutes. And the ambiance oh my gosh don't even get me started. There are chili peppers lining the walls and that is just going above and beyond in terms of Mexican restaurants in this area. 100% recommend read more

"GUAC SO SALTY I ALMOST DROWNED" The guacamole was extremely salty I could not even finish it after the first bite and considering it's $2 I was very disappointed. The food is bland and flavors are lackluster. Burritos are flimsy and served in a pan because they can't hold their shape. Sour cream is extra which I find offensive. Nothing tasted good to me. I'm never coming back. CHIPOTLE is 100x better. I didn't even finish my meal! IT WAS THAT BAD!! The Horchata is good tho! read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Salsas - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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I had never been to a Cafe Rio, and this particular location was within short proximity of the hotel I was staying at in Flagstaff, so I decided to give it a try. Frankly, I did not enjoy myself there. They serve cafeteria style here and build your order to your specifications much like Chipotle. There was a line and it moved very slowly. The food was mediocre and although it was spacious inside, the place was noisy, chaotic and crowded. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - the inside of the restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

What a terrible place. I've tried to give this place a try multiple times and it gets worse each visit. I wish you the best but what an awful business. Went in today for a chicken quesadilla with queso and chips. Ordered online. Simple. Bag had a quesadilla in it, no salsa, sour cream, or guac which I paid extra for....and no chips and queso. Went to front to ask for my queso and chips that I paid. Fat attitude guy at counter said in Spanish to the other people, "The fucking clown complains." Too bad I speak Spanish. The fat manager in the blue shirt simply laughed with the others. Pathetic. Best of luck. I will never return and will absolutely let everyone I know not to go to this business. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Pork. Ordered chicken and paid extra for it. If someone ordered this, maybe you'd actually cut it into portions? Pathetic - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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This place is the best place on the planet whenever I come over and visit my grandparents we always come here. This is a great café Rio with the best place ever the nachos are the best. The ice is the coldest. The service is so quick. The seats are so colorful and cute, honestly, this place is just pure joy read more

Came in to cafe Rio with three people, no one else in the restaurant. I greeted the employee at the counter and received no response. Ordered tacos and a bowl, the employee maintained a significant attitude throughout preparing our food. While checking out with a different employee the other worker came and yelled at me and my friends because we were "not going one at a time". While all we were doing was help explain our very simple order to the cashier. Food tasted great but the employees were not kind at all. read more

How can I start.... We came here for the first time back in February 25 2024... We came to Flagstaff for a mini vacation. We like the food at cafe rio. BUT the service in this location sadly is very bad surprisingly from the GM or AM of that day. She was very rude, bad attitude, her face said it all emotions. I don't know exactly why or what was going on but she was helping the line that day. Maybe short stuff or maybe not a good day. But coming from the main person of the establishment that should be the stronger bone of the shift was the weakest that day. After all of this we ordered two tacos each that day. Two steak and two grilled chicken. Unfortunately she the manager gave us one of the plates wrong. So when I got to the cashier is when we find out it was grown. So the cashier told her and the Manager was more unhappy. Is sad to see this to feel it and know that employees are not happy doing what they do. I been behind the salad area and the end of the line in fact I been in all positions. And I never gave attitude to anyone even if the day was bad somehow. Customers don't need to pay for a bad day. Hope it was a bad day luck for us. And hope is not every shift. The location still in the old original seething design. Was little dirty and we got there around 1pm. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Corrected Taco Order Grilled Chicken and Steak Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Worst service for Fast Food. Cashier Jozannah has horrendous customer service skills, no smile or greetings, doesnt talk or smile unless she's helping a boy. She seem happy to charge extra for rice and beans CHIPOTLE WOULD NEVER. Another women in her mid 40-50s has a nasty attitude and I hopes she knows she applied for a customer support job. If I wanted to be treated like crap and waste my time and money I know to head to Cafe Rio in Flagstaff. For $40 I only got two burritos and one large drink.. you want a dang for your buck try AGAVE MEXICAN restaurant, you'll be paying the same price. Cafe Rio would have to pay me to try their food again read more

Cafe Rio over the last few years has declined so much. We were going to the Polar Express in Williams and stopped for a quick dinner. This location has not gotten the facelift that the others have, and I enjoyed the classic, original look. The service was on point, and the food came quick. It was some of the better Cafe Rio we have had, and all 6 people in our group expressed this. The location on Higley and Baseline in Gilbert need a lesson on everything. read more

Have to lower my rating after several bad experiences here. Food is good. Idk who's hiring these people. Most of the people serving the food have extremely bad attitudes & are extremely rude. They act like you're bothering them to buy food. Had a young man slam my food into the garbage when he made it wrong & then whisper to the man making the food in the back. Very unprofessional behavior. Doesn't really want to make me return read more

This location is the worst I've been to. Stingy on the cheese, rice, beans, and if you ask for more than a scoop the employee tells you it's already on there. They really need to find new employees who treat the customers better. I know the staff are likely collage kids but something hopefully will change whether it is the staff or training. It would be much better if the staff was not so offputting. read more

I really liked how large, spacious and colorful this restaurant is with fun decor that gets you in the mood for a tex-mex feast. Alberto, the manager is super friendly and professional. I had a carne asada burrito(huge) and chips/queso(also very large portion). If you are looking for delicious tex mex, great value in a comfy atmosphere this is the place. read more

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We were driving from the Phoenix airport to the Grand Canyon and this place was located just off both I-17 and I-40. It is a fast casual place where you choose a burrito, salad, tostada, etc. and then choose your protein and additional ingredients. I had the tostada and my husband had the salad and they looked the same. The sweet pork was better than the chicken. They had four different housemade drinks. I had the mint limeade and it was good. They had a nice patio and lots of seating inside. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Tostada bowl - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

We love Cafe Rio, I have eaten here for years after a friend introduced me to it in college. I now have a trio of children (with a fourth on the way) who also love Cafe Rio! Their salads are my favorite. I am not a salad person, but the salad is so rich in flavor with house made tortillas, beans, rice, chicken, guacamole, pico de Gallo, cilantro, cheese, and tortilla strips. Recently, there was an issue with an order (the only time it's ever happened) and the manager was so nice, highly communicative, and took care of us as regular customers. To me, how they care for their customers really shows the heart of an establishment. Cafe Rio will continue to be a family staple of ours for many years to come! read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Chicken salad (I ate half before remembering to take a picture, sorry). - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Very good distancing signage. All employees masked. Double shields on the aisle to select the fixings. I thought $2 for Guacamole was a bit pricey, but it really was fresh and fabulous. You have to ask for your hot sauce now, but they brought it in a sealed container. Very clean. Love this place parking easy, and employees are always friendly. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Cafe Rio inside - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Location; corner spot in shopping plaza. Food; got the barbacoa Tacos with fixins, tortilla are delicious, lettuce and toppings fresh and crisp. Service; cashier super friendly. Good place for lunch! read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

I really enjoyed my 1st visit So...chairs n tables eh...different colors, older style...school like chairs...order a drink....sodas, various non alcohol, open bar!!! Nice Smorgasbord style....view menu, get in line....you can see what they have to offer, and they'll ask you what condiments you'd like, somewhat limited, yet hot n tasty!!! Eat there....doggy bags if you can't finish, several salsas, beans, Pico de gallotortilla soup....oh my close to motels off the 40....in a mini mall...burritos, tacos, nachos n more! Plenty of parking, patio seating outside....just traveling...but a great pit stop read more

I ordered through ezCater and was extremely pleased with the food. We had beef and pork as the main dishes with all the taco fixings. Delicious salsa and guacamole too. read more

Another day Another time delivery drivers were asked to fill drinks This is not in our job This is a health code violation Drivers do not have food handlers licenses Cafe rio needs to stop making drivers do their employees' jobs This is not sanitary for customers read more

Pretty terrible place to pickup doordash orders from took me 20 minutes to pick up a quesadilla and nachos

Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Especially on taco tuesdays!! Thanks Cafe Rio!

Online order and it was ready when I arrived New drink options are delicious very good. read more

Last night in Flagstaff and wanted something quick, easy and good and I came across the right place! First-The location is right near the Walmart, right across the street from all the hotels on the strip. So it's really convenient. Seems like decent parking but I'm sure you can use the Walmart parking as well. It reminds me of Chipotle but better! Second- I built my own burrito and it was pretty damn good! I really enjoyed it. I should've gotten a hotter sauce. (I went medium) but it was filling and they give you a good amount in it! I also like how you can build your own nachos! I highly recommend this place! read more

I love the food here but the service is just horrendous. Some of the girls were nice when ordering but the majority were very rude and made me feel like I couldn't order what I wanted to order. It was very rushed and it wasn't even busy in there. They also did not give all the options of the topping when ordering. This has been an on going issue with the service. read more

I don't understand the draw of this place. It's like a cattle call for fast food. You stand in line slowly shuffling through and when you get to order, it's clear that they ask their routine questions and anticipate the answer. The problem is when you don't want what is apparently the usual and they're already making it that way, such as putting the beans and/or rice on when you don't want it. Even though the line seems to move slow, those behind the line are slinging ingredients- and it creates a mess! I really think they ought to slow down and not get ingredients falling in other containers of stuff. The salad is made in a weird way, in my opinion. They put the meat in first then the lettuce and toppings. So you have to dig through the lettuce to get the meat. I'd rather they top a salad with the meat, but the food set up presumes you're ordering a burrito or taco, not a salad. The meat is bland. I recently had their chicken which claimed to be "zesty." Ha. It was blah. So I went back and tried their habanero pork. Still blah. No idea how you can take all the spice out and call it habanero, but they succeeded. Now, the prices. Um, crazy. A salad and drink was over $12. That's sit down prices not cattle call fast food. I'd suggest ANY where else in Flag (except Some Burros) for Mexican. read more

Not the restaurant that it once was. On my last few visits I have not greeted by an employee. When I start to give my order they make it so fast I barely have time to make any adjustments before they have it put together. Additionally they seem annoyed when I asked to exclude certain items from my order. I ask you is this a $10 salad? Oregano's can produce a $10 salad worth the money. read more

Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican - A shredded beef salad - Mexican Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

I wanted to like this place, I really did... I'll be honest, some things taste pretty decent, other things are so-so. Overall I have tried it about 4-5 times over the last year. Initially it was alright, but as time went on the food kept getting worse, yet for some reason I kept trying? The last two times myself and my husband both got sick, upset stomachs and wicked cramps/gurgle guts. Our final attempt was only a few days ago and shortly after eating the night got unpleasant fast! Suffice it to say I spent the night contemplating my life choices and tagging in and out on the toilet with my husband in our one bathroom apartment. Next time I will save my $40-$50 bucks and not suffer potential food born illness for overpriced enchiladas and nachos. read more