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    Café at Rio

    4.3 (15 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Café at Rio Photos

    CAFÉ AT RIO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Bonnie G.

    First off, this is a college cafeteria and it makes no qualms about that. Secondly, this is an amazing lunch place for foodies on a budget. Not only is it based on sustainable, local produce sourced daily, their prices are insane. I bought a huge plate of salad, fruit cup, large iced coffee and a coffee cake for barely 8 dollars. And it was all huge servings and delicious. The atmosphere is crisp and clean and decidedly modern without being too cheeky or smirky about it. You still have all the food stations you remember from state run institutions like the salad bar, the pizza bar, the hot meal bar and the deli counter. The baked goods and coffee stand is a little across the ways. I rode my bike from work, excited after reading about the cafe in Edible Phoenix that I could finally have a quick lunch place to go to that wasn't fast food. There were helpful signs around the driveway but hard to find parking for my bike. I was overwhelmed by the set up when I first got in and probably freaked out the poor employee ordering a Greek Salad at the salad stations b/c I was overwhelmed by the size of his entree. However, for $3.25, I got a huge half salad that had: quinoa, flax seed, sunflower seeds, local goat cheese, fresh cut peppers, tomatoes and spring mix with a just made cilantro dressing. Incredible. The fruit cup I bought for $1.75 tasted like real fruit, they had plenty of soy milk for my iced organic coffee and the coffee cake was delicious and huge; I shared it with 3 co-workers! It tasted truly home-made too, you could actually taste the egg, butter, milk, brown sugar, etc that made the silky textured dessert hard to resist. The phrase is over-used a lot, but considering very few people know about this place, it is truly a hidden gem and worth you getting to know it and their admirable mission. After all, you gotta love a lunch place with compost-able plates and cups!

    Tuna melt and fries.

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    3 years ago

    Great potato soup today!! I didn't have enough room for a burger. The burgers here are the best.

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    2 years ago

    We are so lucky to have the Cafe @ Rio. The food is always great and their is a nice variety.

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    2 years ago

    Great food at great price! I love supporting a sustainable kitchen on a college campus!

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    15 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Michael H.

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    15 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

    There are many better places than this for anything. Poor hours not very good don't eat here unless you have to even than maybe just wait

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    Review Highlights - Café at Rio

    We are so lucky to have the Cafe @ Rio.

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    Original ChopShop

    Original ChopShop

    3.9(692 reviews)
    2.3 mi
    $$

    We discovered (well really re-discovered after 5+ years) Original ChopShop when we were in town for…read morethe IronMan. What a delicious surprise and local gem, right near ASU. They serve salads, bowls, sandwiches, all-day breakfast, protein shakes, fresh juices, and other healthy, fast-casual eats for dine-in or take-away. My kind of place! This is one of those spots that I'd frequent if I lived nearby (ChopShop, want to open in Northern California?!). I stumbled upon this spot after a little self-guided tour of ASU campus on a sleepy Sunday morning (everyone must have been asleep after the big football game the day before). I'd forgotten about this spot and it was such a happy surprise to find it again and to see that they survived the pandemic and are still thriving. First visit I ordered: -Cheat Day Wrap: scrambled egg, bacon, white cheddar, smashed avocado, tomato, brown rice (I ordered without rice), and turkey or ham (I skipped these too) *DELISH on a whole wheat wrap!!! Full of flavor and super easy to eat. This hearty breakfast sando fueled my active morning of hiking "A" Mountain (Hayden Butte Preserve) the running around the the IronMan course to spectate (30,000+ steps as a spectator!). We couldn't leave town without another trip. I took my guy and we enjoyed a salad, another breakfast wrap, and: -Chicken + Prosciutto Sandwich: grilled chicken, prosciutto, fontina, arugula, fig mostarda, dijon (no dijon for us), on a house bun. If you're in the area, looking for a healthy-ish breakfast, lunch, or snack, definitely check out Original ChopShop. Note: it gets busy at peak meal hours with students and faculty. Order at the kiosks (super easy), grab a number, find a table in their cozy interior or on their large front patio, and your food will be brought to you. Have a question? Just ask - the staff were very friendly and helpful in guiding our choices. And I love that they allow modifications to most menu items! We'll be back!!!

    As I was riding my bike, I saw this place and made a quick stop to try it out…read more Now, make no mistake: this place has so many healthy items on its menu that it should please just about any health nut. But my first experience was not that great. They had plenty of places to sit, whether you like to sit indoors or outdoors. I decided to try the "Glow Up Shake," which is their protein shake. The shake was okay; it didn't blow me away. Considering that it has banana, pineapple, dates, etc., I was hoping it would melt in my mouth with a galaxy of flavor--darn, no such luck. But like I said, it was an okay drink that I think others might like. Now, as for the $3 pre-wrapped Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie? The first cookie they brought me was hard as a diamond. I asked if they could heat it up to soften it a bit like they do at Starbucks, but he said they can't? Wow, I didn't realize that heating a Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie was so complex that it can't be done by some places. Anyway, the minor good news was he brought me a different cookie that was soft enough to bend and break off a piece and chew without worrying about breaking a tooth. But the big question is, will I be back? Of course I will; the place has a plethora of healthy food which I like. And I'm sure when I order something other than a diamond-hard Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie, my experience will be somewhat better. This place does have a fantastic Wi-Fi. That's a plus.

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    Original ChopShop
    Original ChopShop
    Original ChopShop

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    Flower Child

    Flower Child

    4.3(773 reviews)
    8.8 mi
    $$
    Healthy dining
    Gluten-free friendly

    Recommend by a local and I ended up loving this place! The vibe is fresh and bright with healthier…read moresalad, sandwich and wrap options. Tons of seating inside and outside too. Food is delivered fast, within about 5-10 minutes after ordering at the counter. Staff here is friendly, patient and helpful when someone who can't decide between all of the options is in front of them. :) I ordered "the rebel" French dip and loved every bite of it. I especially loved the little side salad that came with it that I wasn't expecting. The French dip itself was savory, tender, flavorful and the horseradish added the perfect "kick" to the wrap. I'd definitely order it again but there were also so many other things that I'd try on the menu! I'll stop back every time I'm in Arizona because it's worth the trip to try everything that looks so yummy!

    Simply amazing. Never heard of it before and wanted to stop and catch a bite before flying back…read morehome. First of all, the vibe is amazing. Think garden party meets Sunday brunch. Naturals tones with pops of green make this a delightful place to meet up with your friends. I had the tuna poke bowl. The flavors were super bright and hit all the classic notes of poke. I thoroughly enjoyed the passion fruit black tea, unsweetened of course. I'm not one for overly flavored drinks but they crushed it. I went back for seconds. I'm actually sad I found this on the last day in town, not my first.

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    Flower Child
    Flower Child
    Flower Child

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    Salad and Go - Southwest Harvest Wrap Minus Tortilla Strips Plus Red Peppers (Seasonal)

    Salad and Go

    2.5(35 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $

    Thanks to both of the JJs who work here!…read more Stopped here for my routine cheap din din and requested an extra packet of dressing in which cost .49 each but, before yall think that I'm complaining ... the salads are a pretty nice portion, therfore, 2 packets of dressings are necessary unless, you're one of those folks counting calories. I eat to stay alive over yonder and my food that, "I pay for" has to taste good to meeeee. I asked the Manager, why they wouldn't include 2 packets because, some of us want dressing on our salad, otherwise, it taste like rabbit food... She was nice enough to make an exception this 1 time and not make me charge the .49 to my cc ( since I don't carry cash nor coins). These restaurants really need to consider what's the exact amount of condiments for the meal ordered. ‍ Thanks again to the 2 JJs(Their names started with the letter "J" and I forget what they were). ‍. Yes, I'm addicted to these salads. The Autum Harvest salad is adding their specialty "Basil Lemonade" that is being offered for a limited time at $1.29 hit the spot!!! I keep telling yall that eating out, is cheaper than buying grocery unless, you have kids at home or a big family.

    I ordered a steak wrap and a frozen strawberry lemonade. I ask the guy before I handed him my card-…read more"Is the slushie machine working properly? Last time I was here it was watered down." He said it was "yes for sure"....ran my card. Then handed me my melted watered down "frozen" drink. I showed him how watery and loose it was, and he giggled and literally shrugged his shoulders...I took a sip as he handed me my food. I started to tell him this is why I asked, and he literally closed the window mid sentence. I was already in line for like 15 minutes and had to get back from my lunch break, so I don't wait around to push the issue. Back at the office- Found out they have no idea how to wrap the wrap. I got halfway through and the entire thing fell apart. I had to find a fork to finish it. Additionally they were beyond skimpy on the steak portion. I always order this wrap from other locations and never have this issue....or the melted slushie issue. $12 stolen from me today. Cool

    Photos
    Salad and Go - Bug in salad

    Bug in salad

    Salad and Go - Thai chicken salad

    Thai chicken salad

    Salad and Go - Southwest Harvest Salad minus Tortilla Strips Plus Red Peppers (Seasonal)

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    Southwest Harvest Salad minus Tortilla Strips Plus Red Peppers (Seasonal)

    Café at Rio - coffee - Updated May 2026

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