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Life

With exhibition kitchen, diners get meal and a show

June 20, 2007 - 9:00 pm
 
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When you think of Mexican food, the state of Utah probably doesn’t spring to mind.

But that’s home base of a popular, expanding chain of restaurants featuring Rio Grande-style Mexican cuisine called Cafe Rio Mexican Grill.

The first location recently opened at 9002 W. Sahara Ave., with a second to open later this year in Henderson. Currently there are 13 Cafe Rios in Utah and two in Arizona.

Cafe Rio’s decor is reminiscent of a Mexican marketplace with brightly colored tables and tile floor.

An exhibition kitchen allows customers to watch while the restaurant’s corn, flour and stone ground whole wheat tortillas are being made.

"Everything is made from scratch," says Tera Sunder, a Cafe Rio official, pointing out that there is no microwave or freezer on the premises.

Started in 1977 by chef Steve Stanley and his wife, Patricia, the first location opened in St. George, Utah. Stanley drew on the food of northern Mexico, Texas and New Mexico. USDA choice meats are used and up to nine cases of limes are squeezed each day.

"We chop the produce fresh on each shift," says market partner Antuan Morales.

Cafe Rio seats 87 inside and 24 on the patio.

Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

Starters: Chips and salsa (large, $2.50; small, $1.25); guacamole and chips ($3.95); and chili con queso with chips ($4.50).

Soups and salads: Cafe Rio’s Famous Tortilla Chicken Soup with shredded chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, guacamole and pico de gallo and topped with tortilla strips, cilantro and lime ($3.95); Cafe Rio salad ($6.25); chili-roasted beef ($7.25); chicken breast ($7.25); pork barbacoa ($7.25); fire-grilled steak ($7.95); and fire-grilled chicken breast ($7.95). Salads are served in a toasted flour or stone ground whole wheat tortilla with blended cheeses, green chili rice, and black or pinto beans.

Entrees: Burritos are made with flour or stone ground whole wheat tortillas containing green chili rice, black or pinto beans, cheese and a choice of filling and sauce, including beans, rice and cheese ($5.50), chili-roasted beef ($6.50), chicken breast ($6.50), pork barbacoa ($6.50), fire-grilled steak ($6.95) and fire-grilled chicken ($6.95). Served enchilada style, add 95 cents.

Enchiladas are made with corn tortillas and shredded cheese (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), chili-roasted beef (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), chicken breast (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), pork barbacoa (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), fire-grilled steak (one, $5.95; two, $7.95) or fire-grilled chicken (one, $5.95; two, $7.95).

Sauces include a choice of San Antonio red chili sauce (hot), Santa Fe green chili (medium) or El Paso tomatillo (mild).

Tacos, made with flour, stone ground whole wheat or corn tortillas, are served with green chili rice and black or pinto beans and include chili-roasted beef (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), chicken breast (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), pork barbacoa (one, $4.95; two, $6.95), fire-grilled steak (one, $5.95; two, $7.95), fire-grilled chicken breast (one, $5.95; two, $7.95) and fire-grilled salmon (one, $5.95; two, $8.95). Pico de gallo is served on the side.

Quesadillas, made with flour or stone ground whole wheat tortillas, are served with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole and a choice of shredded cheese ($6.50), chili-roasted beef ($7.50), chicken breast ($7.50), pork barbacoa ($7.50), fire-grilled steak ($7.95) or fire-grilled chicken breast ($7.95).

Tostadas feature a crispy corn tortilla with green chili rice, black or pinto beans and melted cheese, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, tortilla strips, cotija cheese, cilantro, sour cream and lime with a choice of creamy tomatillo house dressing or cilantro-lime vinaigrette, with chili-roasted beef, chicken breast or pork barbacoa ($4.95) or fire-grilled steak or fire-grilled chicken breast ($5.95).

Dessert: Victor’s Coconut Caramel Flan, Cafe Rio’s Famous Tres Leches, Theresa’s Chocolate Cheese Flan and Yolanda’s Fresh Lime Pie ($3.25 each).

Appetizers is a weekly informational column about new developments on the Las Vegas dining scene. Items should not be considered reviews or recommendations and none is a paid advertisement. Contact Ken White at 383-0256 or e-mail him at kwhite@ reviewjournal.com.

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