Not a remotely good experience. They are trying to be a chipotle knock off with mediocre ingredients and even worse customer service. Just spent over $120 for our group worth of main "courses". Then another $14ish for some nachos to start. The nachos were absolutely pathetic and the cheese was not remotely cooked, he ran it through the oven and didn't even bother to see it was done before capping it and sending it down the line. I asked for some a little bit more sour cream and they said it would be extra.. I was over it and left. Took the food home and nobody really enjoyed it. I hate throwing food away, but who is going to eat it??......lol ended going to taco bell, at least you know what your getting!
Integritydesign
I come to this location often.. and they start putting up the chairs on tables and taking the premium drinks away.. (lemonades and horchata) 2 HOURS prior to closing.. OTHER cafe rio locations I go to DO NOT charge me for sour cream and fajita vegetables in their bowls, so I am aware of what the price SHOULD be.. this location, however... charges for BOTH sour cream,. AND Fajita vegetables EVERY time I come to eat here.. I told the cashier about it.. (like she cared.. ) then some other staff that was overlooking I told them they were over charging, and they got irate and argued with me, causing a scene. The location in ALISO VIEJO, is better managed and provides WAY better service. The average customer is getting scammed by 3-4 dollars on every visit with these upcharges. AND the bowls are supposed to come with a soft tortilla which they NEVER give you at THIS location.. all in all... this is Tarnishing the brand of Cafe Rio.. IMHO Below is the ACCURATE price from a DIFFERENT CAFE RIO location..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken
Pat M.
This place is incredible. amazing food, great service, and nice restaurant overall. Don't listen to those 1 or 2 star reviews. Although its a little pricey, lemme tell you, ITS WORTH IT. If you haven't tried this place, what are you doing? its my favorite place. those burritos really fill you up. and, you have leftovers if your full. It also has practically no wait at all. they make your food in front of you so you can tell them pacifically what you want or don't want. I do not recommend ordering it online. the rip you of on meat if you get the burritos. that is the only lit tle thing i don't really like with this place. I would come here every day if i could. anyway, don't read those low reviews. you will not be disappointed. Everything about this place is incredible! i can't chose just one thing i love about this amazing dreamlike dining experience. Burritos are so big, you need utensils to eat it.
Kevin C.
Normally Cafe Rio is my go to spot but not this location. Hard rice, watered down medium salsa. It's not supposed to look like soup. Customer service felt like I was an incovience going to eat a knock off version of my cafe Rio spots (Newport or Irvine). Obviously poorly owned.
Serge Mysin
Great food; try the pork... So
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ER Zep
Waited 35 minutes in line to eat on site. What is the issue you ask? It should not take that long with three people on the line making food for the six people in front of me. The line was constantly interrupted to do online orders and then the 3 of the six people in front of me can't seem to get it together when walking through and placing their orders while in the line. They had their other family members to order for who were sitting. The biggest inhibitor seemed to be the constant interruptions by online orders. I say run another line for online orders only so you do not interrupt the flow. Standing in line 35 minutes for a burrito is unacceptable. The place was freezing, the door was left open while it was 55 degrees outside. The thermostat was set at 68 degrees, but kept blowing cold air. At 8PM the juice bar (Mint Lemonade, Mango Lemonade) was emptied by staff and the place did not close until 10PM. What is the deal with that? The music is so loud. Why are they playing indie music anyway? It's a Mexican restaurant for goodness sake. The food was great, but really getting it was so troublesome.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
Cindy K.
This place was recommended to me by a friend who said they had great barbacoa tacos. They were not overselling them, absolutely fantastic! Also the creamy tomatillo ranch dressing was very tasty but I probably would not get it with the barbacoa again, as they don't need it. Would be great with chicken though. It's one of those places where you choose Bowl/Tostada/Tacos/Burrito then select your meats. Decor is colorful but also somewhat industrial. Drawbacks: I probably wouldn't eat-in in future because they have what I call "F you, get out" chairs, so I'll definitely eat here again but only takeout, not for meeting up and lunching with friends. I liked the colors of them, but not comfortable. The pinto beans were not my favorite, they had a lot of flavor just not one I liked. I suspect some folks will like them a lot though, just not my taste. So end result, definitely eat here, tacos are amazing, but get it to go.
Jenni Gregory
Yummy n fresh. The lady that took our order was sooo nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Enchiladas, Tortillas
Silent Island Tempest
Shout out to the person who was concerned about my well being while I sat outside for 6hrs waiting for my ride. Too bad I am too poor to get food and review it but I am sure it would be delicious.
We ordered catering for an office luncheon and the delivery was 40 minutes late. We hade been given a discount on this order because the last time we ordered some of the food wasn't thoroughly cooked. Not a great option for catering which is disappointing since we love the food.
Taco Tuesday for lunch!
Not a remotely good experience. They are trying to be a chipotle knock off with mediocre ingredients and even worse customer service. Just spent over $120 for our group worth of main "courses". Then another $14ish for some nachos to start. The nachos were absolutely pathetic and the cheese was not remotely cooked, he ran it through the oven and didn't even bother to see it was done before capping it and sending it down the line. I asked for some a little bit more sour cream and they said it would be extra.. I was over it and left. Took the food home and nobody really enjoyed it. I hate throwing food away, but who is going to eat it??......lol ended going to taco bell, at least you know what your getting!
I come to this location often.. and they start putting up the chairs on tables and taking the premium drinks away.. (lemonades and horchata) 2 HOURS prior to closing.. OTHER cafe rio locations I go to DO NOT charge me for sour cream and fajita vegetables in their bowls, so I am aware of what the price SHOULD be.. this location, however... charges for BOTH sour cream,. AND Fajita vegetables EVERY time I come to eat here.. I told the cashier about it.. (like she cared.. ) then some other staff that was overlooking I told them they were over charging, and they got irate and argued with me, causing a scene. The location in ALISO VIEJO, is better managed and provides WAY better service. The average customer is getting scammed by 3-4 dollars on every visit with these upcharges. AND the bowls are supposed to come with a soft tortilla which they NEVER give you at THIS location.. all in all... this is Tarnishing the brand of Cafe Rio.. IMHO Below is the ACCURATE price from a DIFFERENT CAFE RIO location..
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Grilled Chicken
This place is incredible. amazing food, great service, and nice restaurant overall. Don't listen to those 1 or 2 star reviews. Although its a little pricey, lemme tell you, ITS WORTH IT. If you haven't tried this place, what are you doing? its my favorite place. those burritos really fill you up. and, you have leftovers if your full. It also has practically no wait at all. they make your food in front of you so you can tell them pacifically what you want or don't want. I do not recommend ordering it online. the rip you of on meat if you get the burritos. that is the only lit tle thing i don't really like with this place. I would come here every day if i could. anyway, don't read those low reviews. you will not be disappointed. Everything about this place is incredible! i can't chose just one thing i love about this amazing dreamlike dining experience. Burritos are so big, you need utensils to eat it.
Normally Cafe Rio is my go to spot but not this location. Hard rice, watered down medium salsa. It's not supposed to look like soup. Customer service felt like I was an incovience going to eat a knock off version of my cafe Rio spots (Newport or Irvine). Obviously poorly owned.
Great food; try the pork... So
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waited 35 minutes in line to eat on site. What is the issue you ask? It should not take that long with three people on the line making food for the six people in front of me. The line was constantly interrupted to do online orders and then the 3 of the six people in front of me can't seem to get it together when walking through and placing their orders while in the line. They had their other family members to order for who were sitting. The biggest inhibitor seemed to be the constant interruptions by online orders. I say run another line for online orders only so you do not interrupt the flow. Standing in line 35 minutes for a burrito is unacceptable. The place was freezing, the door was left open while it was 55 degrees outside. The thermostat was set at 68 degrees, but kept blowing cold air. At 8PM the juice bar (Mint Lemonade, Mango Lemonade) was emptied by staff and the place did not close until 10PM. What is the deal with that? The music is so loud. Why are they playing indie music anyway? It's a Mexican restaurant for goodness sake. The food was great, but really getting it was so troublesome.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 2
This place was recommended to me by a friend who said they had great barbacoa tacos. They were not overselling them, absolutely fantastic! Also the creamy tomatillo ranch dressing was very tasty but I probably would not get it with the barbacoa again, as they don't need it. Would be great with chicken though. It's one of those places where you choose Bowl/Tostada/Tacos/Burrito then select your meats. Decor is colorful but also somewhat industrial. Drawbacks: I probably wouldn't eat-in in future because they have what I call "F you, get out" chairs, so I'll definitely eat here again but only takeout, not for meeting up and lunching with friends. I liked the colors of them, but not comfortable. The pinto beans were not my favorite, they had a lot of flavor just not one I liked. I suspect some folks will like them a lot though, just not my taste. So end result, definitely eat here, tacos are amazing, but get it to go.
Yummy n fresh. The lady that took our order was sooo nice!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Enchiladas, Tortillas
Shout out to the person who was concerned about my well being while I sat outside for 6hrs waiting for my ride. Too bad I am too poor to get food and review it but I am sure it would be delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Taco Tuesday! No wait today!
We ordered catering for an office luncheon and the delivery was 40 minutes late. We hade been given a discount on this order because the last time we ordered some of the food wasn't thoroughly cooked. Not a great option for catering which is disappointing since we love the food.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
The food was great and the service was excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Parking: Easy Parking
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Guacamole, Sweet Pork Barbacoa, Chicken Tostada
Great place. Great foodParking: LotsKid-friendliness: YesWheelchair accessibility: Yes
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tortillas, Burrito