Where to Eat: Cafe Rio

The Breakdown
Location: Alderwood Mall (rumor has it a Redmond location will open by Spring 2015)
Must-eat: Pork barbacoa salad with black beans and creamy tomatillo ranch dressing
Dress code: Wear-your-pajamas casual
Ambiance: Loud and kid-friendly
Price: Under $10 per entree

My husband hates lines. He also hates traffic. So why did we consistently stand in a line of 200 people on Saturdays during our college years? Why did we brave 5 o’clock traffic on I-405 on a recent rainy Friday night?

The answer: Cafe Rio.

Cafe Rio started in St. George, Utah and quickly spread across the Intermountain West to become a regional cultural phenomenon. When we moved back to Seattle after school, Cafe Rio was one of the very few things I actually missed about living in Salt Lake.

A couple years ago, rumors started circulating among the Utah expat community that Cafe Rio was coming to Seattle. The fact that the the first Washington location opened in Wenatchee didn’t stop us (and several of our friends) from loading our toddler into the car to drive three hours for lunch. Thankfully, another location opened this spring at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood.

It’s a simple concept: fresh Mexican (more Tex-Mex) food served in variety of formats: tacos, burritos, salads, enchiladas, etc. You order at a counter, working your way down the line to create a custom (albeit with fairly limited choices) meal. The flavors are good, the portions generous, and for the price, it really can’t be beat.

Now, I have to admit, some of the appeal of Cafe Rio for me is the nostalgia. It tastes exactly the same as it did when I was a poor college student scraping pennies for date night. Don’t go expecting life-changing, better-than-authentic Mexican food. But do go and enjoy a tasty meal that won’t break the bank.

Tips:

• Choosing your format can be a tough decision. The salad (more like a giant burrito in a bowl lined with a deliciously cheesy tortilla) is the most popular. Get it with everything on it. I’ve recently become a fan of the tacos, which let you taste the meat and tortilla without any distractions.
• The tortillas are maybe the best part of Cafe Rio. They’re made fresh right in front of your eyes. Sometimes I wish they’d hand them out like free donuts at Krispy Kreme.
• The sweet pork barbacoa is legendary. For your first time at Cafe Rio, it’s a must.
• Choose black over pinto beans.
• If you get a salad, go with the creamy tomatillo ranch dressing.
• Kids under 6 get a free nino quesadilla, which is way better than paying $8 for a meal they take one bite of.
• Hit up Tasty Tuesdays for $5 entrees.

Check out the menu online.