Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican — Restaurant in Arizona

I love Cafe Rio, and was excited to have a location closer than the ones we normally go to. This will be my last visit to this location (seriously, just go to the Gilbert and Baseline location instead).

The first warning sign was when I mapped the location, even SIRI tried to warn me of this place's low reviews ( 1 star on yelp) and asked if I still wanted to go.

The problems at this location are NOT the employees. They were trying, but they all seemed to be lacking in training and leadership (and looked a little emotionally battered).

The problems looked to me to be management based. Judging by other reviews that specifically mention the manager, I feel that that assumption is correct.

They were completely out of all Cafe Rio specialty Drinks, the restaurant was FILTHY. Most of the food we got we ended up throwing away. All food items were sub par. The Pico was literally just mush. lettuce that should have been thrown away, was used. Queso was burned from the warming tray. A long list of other issues, but I think you get the point.

Again, I am not blaming the hourly employees. They were sincerely trying, but having had horrific managers in the past, I recognized their struggle.

This is my recommendation to Cafe Rio corporate, that you have an executive make a random visit to this location. My guess is you will want to revoke their franchise status. This location does not represent Cafe Rio standards that I have seen at several Arizona locations and Utah. There are some SERIOUS issues that need attending to. A competent manager can turn this location around. Someone that cares about the employees, trains them properly, keeps them supplied, and shows up to help rather than berate and be rude to customers (just to clarify, the manager was not there when we were, I'm just referencing other reviews).

Literally everything I saw that was a problem could be solved by a manager that actually cares and puts forth effort. Cafe Rio has great products and service at other locations, the problems are this location specifically. Again, the problem was NOT the employees. I feel sorry for them.

I really tried to give this location a chance, especially because I could tell these young employees were trying to be professionals, but this is not a Cafe Rio experience.

Cafe Rio is wonderful, just avoid this location until some...

I have never left a review at a restaurant. However the service was subpar and the manager was rude. In addition this is the grossest cafe rio and I felt so grossed out. I live in Utah but my family got together for Christmas here and my parents who live in France really wanted to come here. They have loved cafe rio since they lived in Utah years and years ago and they were so excited to go here. However, when I got here I had to bus tables that had food and trays there after waiting a while. I wiped it off the tables which I did not mind cause we needed to sit somewhere. Then once I was in line I stood there for a while before someone came and helped me. the guacamole was brown, but all in all I was okay and as I waited at the cash register, I heard yelling and turned around to find the manager yelling at my mom and grandparents. I honestly was shocked, they were just asking about the deal, and she was so irritated with them. Then I went to get forks and my drink. My drink was warm and tasted like it had gone bad, they were out of forks and everything was really dirty. This will be the last time I willingly go to cafe rio after going as long as I can remember.

Edit: I talked to two sweet employees in the parking lot after and they seemed shocked at the thought of their manager yelling and said she was probably having a long day. They were both so sweet that it honestly made up for a lot. The boy had dark curly hair and the girl was blonde! So kind! It honestly is not a big deal about cleaning tables, it happens people leave and don’t put their tray away. The guacamole being bad was not a big deal, I get it avocados turn brown quick even if good. The food still tasted good. The onlg two things that still do not sit well with me is the lemonade and the manager. I suggest the manager get a hug since she seems to have had a hard day and either learn to communicate with more compassion or step around the counter so she doesn’t have to yell and come across so angry. As to the lemonade (I usually love the mint lemonade), I think your machine is broken and low key that tasted very very bad long it had gone bad, maybe...

Came in for the first time at this location. I have been to several other locations before. I was in the area because my 86 year old friend lives 8 minutes away. And i told her about taco Tuesday with the shredded meat taco deal for $2.69. So i was looking forward to bringing her in, and I was looking forward to the unlimited horchata on tap.

I come in and it’s 6 workers there. It was only one person prepping the orders. We had to wait at least two minutes to let them finish an online order. Mind you 6 workers again. I let my friend order first, when it came time to order mine, I wanted the corn shell instead. There was none made and readily available. So I had to wait for them to be processed and then prepared.

I ordered 4 of them to start out. They were so behind they just told me to have a seat and they’ll bring em’ to me. So i proceeded to pay for us at the register. And she asked me if we wanted a drink. My friend asked for water, and i said regular drink for me, and I looked towards the horchata, totally empty! The mint lemonade, totally empty! I asked when was it going to be refilled? She said they were not going to refill it for the night because they are behind. Mind you yet again, 6 workers there! So i was extremely disappointed in that response, and disappointed that not ONE person could step aside and remake both horchata and mint lemonade. Not even the manager?!?

The place was a train wreck and lacked leadership and sense of urgency with all 6 members on deck last night. One of them didnt even speak English when asked two prep two more corn tortillas for two more tacos that i wanted. He had to asked the other what was it that i said. Come on. My experience was not good at all, and disappointed that I brought my elderly friend to this place. This was our first time here and i had to wait on my food, and no...