Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican — Restaurant in Moreno Valley

Great food, but terrible service. If I could give negative stars for service, I would. These staff members are just that bad. Go to Chipotle instead! Upon entering the restaurant today at approximately 1pm, I immediately commented to my lunch mate that the entire staff looked utterly miserable and as though they hated their jobs. Everyone working today, with the exception of the lady with the lavender ponytail and somewhat shaved sides, was awful and need to be summarily terminated. I did not interact with the gentleman who was focused cutting meat, so I can't speak to him. I ordered a steak salad and was told by the disgruntled female employee that they were all out. She said nothing more. It wasn't until I inquired further, that the ponytail staff member jumped into the conversation and said that they were going to cook more and it would take about 10 minutes. I paid for all of my food (including the salad) and told them I'd wait. There was an older couple behind me who wanted steak as well and they also decided to wait. No one told me that the meat was finally ready and I had to ask. Ponytail said it was ready and they would cut it. I was told by another unpleasant female staff member that I would need to get in the back of the line to get my food. By this time, there was one new customer in line and the older couple was in front of me. Ponytail saw me in line and set my meat aside while the unpleasant lady waited on the new customer. This new customer ordered a steak entree and ponytail had the good sense to set some aside for me. Mind you, the lady waiting on the new customer also waited on me and the elderly couple, so she was acutely aware that all of us were waiting for steak. Well, she proceeded to give the new customer steak and by the time she finished, there was not enough steak for the elderly couple! Why on earth would she have done that? The elderly couple was literally standing right in front of her, so there's no denying she saw them or that she knew they were waiting for steak. Infuriated for this older couple who probably will not write a review, I am writing this for them to express frustration with this awful staff and their treatment of customers, particularly senior citizens! Do...

This has got to be one of the worst run restaurants I've ever been to, while visiting the wonderful city of Moreno Valley I was stuck as to where to go and have lunch around this particular restaurant was a habit burger Dickey's Barbecue In-N-Out and several other places that would have been a far better choice, excited I went into this restaurant that smells good from the outside. As I proceeded to place my order I divulged to the waitress that this was my first time and I wasn't sure how to order or how to ask for my food. I asked her her recommendations and she suggested the tacos I didn't ask for two tacos and a salsa that was very appealing I believe it was a tomatillo sauce. As the manager Alexandra took over everything went downhill from there. She was more interested in the nickel-and-diming of the sauces. As opposed to providing a wonderful experience. I wanted the tomatillo sauce on my tacos she says it would be extra and was very adamant and focused on the additional charge I specifically asked well what does that sauce go with? She replied the enchiladas so I ordered the enchiladas, which were cold and the tortilla left a lot to be desired. If anybody in public has any questions feel free to reach out to me. Do yourselves a favor and avoid this particular restaurant there are many in this area that are National chains and have a proven track record of providing good food and...

While Cafe Rio is a far cry from authentic Mexican food, it offers some bold flavors and wider menu selection than you would see at Chipotle. Your first sight once you make it to the front of the line is fresh flour tortillas being hand rolled and griddled right in front of you. Aside from tortilla chips for nachos, everything seems to be made with their fresh flour tortillas.

Ordering is assembly line style, with dishes periodically being removed to spend a couple seconds under the broiler to melt cheese. There are six entrees to select from (burrito, salad, enchiladas, tacos, quesadilla, and tostada, though the salad and tostada seem a bit redundant when you look at what they really are).

The food seems a bit on the pricier side for what it is, with your average entree running about $10 (I usually make out for under $8 at Chipotle). Be prepared to be nickle and dimed for customization, as any grilled protein and add ons like sour cream are all extra.

One highlight of Cafe Rio is the "show" employees provide while in line (think tipping at Cold Stone). If you need a good laugh, make sure to order the tortilla soup.

Will I be back? Most likely not, as there are lots of options which I think are tastier and easier on the budget, but several of the people I talked to while waiting in line were already on their second or third...