Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican — Restaurant in Lakewood

Have heard many praises about Rio. From memory and growing up in the area. I believe they went from a more traditional dining standalone location across the street to a more modern Chipotle+esque counter order and build to seating.

Sauces are more mild than most when speaking on total heat to the brain. With a delicious level of heat you can enjoy their "Hot" without crying though the experience all while loading it on if smothering is your flavor.

Since there was a major failure during my visit it was hard to appreciate some of the subtleties of toppings when creating my bowl type delight.

Proteins are a centerpiece especially when moving in to this type of in your face walkup grill approach to the Mexican experience. Unfortunately, the chicken was over cooked and hard to get through. Whether, the grill cook this evening or not, when the protein misses the rest is just cosmetically trying to cover up the mistake of poor grill temperature and time management.

Everything relies on the protein at locations like this and all the sauces and coverings are built around showing these proteins off, even if picking a non-meat substitute.

From equipment to who's running these proteins at the helm. There needs to be immediate attention to "what is happening". I was accompanied by a friend who spoke so highly of the eats, who also experienced a major decrease in grille quality as his protein too was just cooked beyond enjoyment.

An old take on Mexican delights in a modern strip layout with plenty of space.

This establishment may soon be a story of the past if cutting quality to facilitate expenditures to be in a higher end setup or to meet other financial drains.

Cutting corners on quality of grill technician and/or attention and quality of proteins, may be the devasting end to this locations life.

Find a grille master, or naturally gifted bbq technician, and be willing to throw it all away if it doesn't meet a standard. Definitely don't serve it at the worry of loss. The greater loss is those who have come to enjoy and spend hard earned monies, simply never coming back.

Easy fix for a...

Usually I have a great friendly visit and the employees listen really good but my last visit was the complete opposite. The two employees on the line did not listen when I asked for a few different things I had to literally yell across to them what I did and didn't want. And I had to constantly repeat myself through my order. I was the only person in line/ordering anybody else was sitting eating, the two on the line were pushing my food down so fast as if the restaurant had a line of people out the door. At one point I really had to yell at the lady when she was about to drop a hand full of cilantro on my salad(im not a huge fan so I ask for none even the thats "how it comes" I'd rather not have to pick it off and I was shocked she not only heard but listened. On my salad I asked her to please make sure there is extra guac on it; there was NONE I asked for an extra lime as well as an extra dressing and the lady made a face as if it were the worst thing in the world and very rudly hissed that it would cost extra(if im asking for it im aware) If the music was not playing so loud and I didn't have to yell my order and if the two on the line would have just slowed down or at least listened instead of just assuming I want my food exactly as the menu but as something that I prefer better im sure my visit would have been great as all my...

I've been coming to this place for lunch once a week in the past 1.5 years and have gathered enough positive experience(s) about the service, food and overall atmosphere.

Food - always fresh and good. Solid portions. Tortillas are made in-house, taste so much better than some of the larger chains that use pre-made ones. Food serves fast and they never messed up any of my orders. Folks are also attentive to my requests.

Service - always fast, even on busier days. I love coming here when I'm really short on lunch time knowing I'll get food quick. Never been more than a mere few minutes wait-time. I keep seeing the same faces, and they already know my order by heart. Staff is polite and friendly. Will mention Jose, Kevin and Miguel, as they served me countless times, always with a smile and good attitude.

Atmosphere - solid and clean. Never experienced any loud/obnoxious music, and I constantly see the staff hustle and bustle and cleaning non-stop. That also applies to the bathroom that are always clean.

I read some of the not-so-positive reviews and simply cannot agree based on my countless visits to this exact location. I always had great and friendly service, and never experienced sub-par experience. But I also try hard to be respectful and polite and not have any privileged...