Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican — Restaurant in California

UPDATE 5/24/2021: Thought I'd give it another try and to use up my reward before it expires (today!). So went on Saturday, around 5:30pm. Waited in line for about 20 minutes, even though there weren't many people in front of us. During that time, my wife thought she heard one of the employees tell a customer they are out of all steak options. It wasn't too clear, so we had hope we would FINALLY get our carne asada quesadilla and salad. We got up to place our order but, through experience, we now ask if they have carne asada. THEY DID NOT! They didn't have ANY beef options; mind you, this was on Saturday during dinner time! And they close at 10pm! They didn't have any beef grilling. They had a lot of chicken though! I was told by Cafe Rio rep via email, a couple of weeks ago, that they haven't "approved" a handwritten note to be placed on the doors advising the customers they are out of steak/carne asada but yet. this time, there was, at least, one hand written sign saying "Thank you" as you leave the cash register area. I don't understand why they can't put a sign on both doors to prevent customers from waiting for something that isn't there?! I originally had given two stars, but updated my review to one. This was the last time going to the Redlands Cafe Rio. If I ever visit another one, they have what I want.

May 1, 2021: Let me tell you a short story about the Redlands location. I arrived around 4:15pm and planned to order the carne asada salad, with extra meat. There seems to be insufficient staff and they were unusually slow; I chalked this up to the pandemic. I had no problem with this and was patient, as current times have taught me to be. So after waiting nearly 20 minutes, I get up to place my order. I ask if they have carne asada, because in the past I have found out the restaurant runs out and doesn't let the customers know. Well, lo and behold, the staff member says, they "are all out of grilled meats". It's 4pm!! How are they out of all the grilled meats?! (And they weren't grilling any so I guess they were completely out?) And why do I have to wait in line for 20 MINTUES FOR ME TO FIND OUT!? Why don't they put a sign out on the entrance doors stating they are out of the grilled meats?! This shouldn't surprise me; like I said, this has happened before. And, I have also made a previous suggestion of them putting a notice on the doors. Apparently, customer suggestions aren't heard or taken into account. This might have been my last time visiting...

I give this place a ( -5) in star rating. You know before Cafe Rio. There was Mi Tortilla, and they never had half the problems that Cafe Rio now has. I came into the facility yesterday 6/11/2019 in between lunch and dinner time and first off the place was overly packed with people, really long line with nowhere to sit i needed a table of 6 for 2 adults and 4 children and nothing was available. The only options for seating they have is two to a table and 4, so when i tried to move the tables together they were glued or drilled to the floor not sure how they are accommodating anyone by this. Now 2nd. When seated at the table a women came and sat next to us, than put her dirty dog on the table, allowed him to sit down with nothing under him and began to feed him like no big deal even though our food or hands touch that very same table, or the fact that he wasn't a service dog any dirt or shedding was now spread across the the facility for all to enjoy. Nothing was said by the manager seeing how there was no manager available. no one out cleaning the dining room area or any employee in general on the floor to help with customers. now finally my 3rd complaint would have to be the homeless man that came into the place to use there restroom after coming out the gentleman caused a scene by yelling really loud in which other turned around frozen not sure what to do or say, and again no manager was present to assess the situation. Clearly the homeless man had some mental issues but he than proceeded over to the garbage and pulled out an old cup, than took that cup and filled up a drink with the cup pressed against the same nozzle that everyone in the restaurant was or would be in contact with and still no employees came to clean, sterilize, or help in anyway nor did a manager come once more. Now this may be a long rant of a complaint but this is serious to our health and potentially harmful to us. if these kinds of things aren't resolved than the health department is the only best option left. Will never return to this place, and I hope that they resolve the issues going on or...

I usually enjoy this location. I went in on Saturday (11/6/21) and the line went all the way back to the front entrance. I waited in line but it wasn't moving. After 30 minutes I was close to the front of the line and realized why the line wasn't moving. The person making the food was moving soooo slow that it almost appeared as if it was deliberate. Then he cut open a bag of beans to fill the container and spilled the beans all over the counter. Instead of cleaning it up, he left the beans on the counter and continued to make everyone's food, which means he was setting their plate down on top of the beans that he spilled. The female who was making the tortillas kept talking into her watch. I felt that was unsanitary because she was wearing gloves but would click on her watch and start talking into her watch as if she was sending messages. Then she would began making tortillas. She did this like every 5 minutes. Forgot to mention that the guy who spilled the beans would walk to the back and began talking to the cooks everytime he finished making someone's plate. I was almost at the front of the line and he says we ran out of chips so no nachos. I came to cafe rio for nachos, waited 40 minutes to get to the front just to be told no more chips for Nacho's. I bought a salad and was asked if I wanted guacamole on it. I said yes and when she begin to scoop up the last bit of brown guacamole that was in the tray I said no thanks. That guac looked like its been there since this morning. I was so upset about the service that I couldn't enjoy my food. Keep in mind that I've been going to this place for years. The staff used to be cheerful. This time that had attitudes....