Rito's Mexican Food — Restaurant in Phoenix

August 20, 2015

The Honorable Mayor of Phoenix:

From 10 through 16 August I was in Phoenix for an energy engineering training session that was held at the Phoenix Convention Center and stayed downtown at the Renaissance Hotel on Adams Street. Because I am a Seventh-day Adventist, I did not travel home on Saturday 15 August; rather I decided to attend a local Adventist church to meet the people at church, hear the sermon, and eat with them. I asked the "Ask Me" people and went into a downtown information center near the hotel, and they kindly looked on Google Maps, after showing me the results, I decided to attend the Adventist church located at 1245 East Diamond Street.

On Saturday at 10 AM I decided to walk in my suit and tie to church because for a 65 year old guy, I'm in pretty good shape. Well, I noticed that the temperature was not like in Iowa and about a fourth of the way there, I made sure I walked in the shade. But on my way down East Roosevelt Street, I noticed that I needed to shed my jacket and loosen my tie... and shade my head. Well, after being in air conditioning all week, I welcomed the sun and warmth, but at that time of day, it was about 113 degree F. When I got to the church, I was very, very hot and uncomfortable and knew I made a big mistake walking to church in such high temperatures. However, to my horror, the church was closed and no one was there! I did not call because I didn't care if it was English or Spanish, I knew it would be nice, but I have never dealt this a closed facility. In desperation, I talked to a telephone man that was in the nearby parking lot, and he told me to make sure I keep my shirt on and then left, however, he returned and told me there was a restaurant about a block away. I thanked him and walked over there to Rito's Mexican restaurant, 907 N 14th Street.

As I approached Rito’s and outside in front of the restaurant, a very nice young lady who worked there asked me if I was OK and why was I walking around in a suit on a day like this. I told her, I wanted to attend the church down the block, but it was closed.

She told me to come in the restaurant and then she gave me a free 12 ounce bottle of ice cold water at her expense because she was concerned about me and then she got a big bag of ice and put it in the swamp cooler because she wanted to help me cool down. I was so impressed for her concern for me as a stranger, and she did this while other customers were waiting. Little did I know at the time, I was truly being affected by the heat because when I got back to Iowa on Sunday, I ended up ill with Shingles.

After drinking a second bottle of ice cold water, I wanted a ride back to the hotel and looked up three taxi companies on the internet on my smart phone and called the published number and not one phone number was still valid. I then asked a man who has a roofing business sitting next to the swamp cooler waiting for his food if he would take me back to the hotel for $20, and he said he would just do it for free. And he did just that and took me in his service van.

This personal experience of needing a information, a drink, relief from the heat, a ride, and kind and caring people impressed me very much and when I thought about the scriptures story of the good Samaritan and the injured one receiving mercy, I was humbled and touched to the point of tears for how I was treated and received mercy by the kind and caring people of Phoenix. This was my Sabbath sermon and one I will never forget!

Sincerely,

Jay Richter, P.E. 409 Manor...

Ritos was great about 3yrs ago but now their food is mediocre at best. I used to eat here regularly, but lately it's been hit & miss as I've tried over & over again to give them a chance to improve. 🌱

Their prices have almost doubled while their quality of food has drastically declined! Recently I placed an order at the counter for myself and family. We were so disappointed in the food. Beef tacos fairly tasty, but beef enchiladas were dry & lumpy due to being filled with lots of clumpy cheese & way more cheese than beef. Enchilada sauce was skimpy (you'd need a magnifying glass to find it) 😔. I later found out that you need to order extra sauce in order to get the amount reasonably expected (just a way to get more money 💰)

Our refried beans lacked flavor and the rice was tasteless & dry. My beefy tostada was on a shell that looked like it could be whole wheat, and tested like it was not fully cooked. I spent over $86 and felt really cheated. Needless to say I don't think I'll go back because the poor to mediocre quality of Ritos food just doesn't even come close to justifying the outrageous prices on their menu!

Thinking I'll be seeking better Mexican restaurant options to patronize! 🌿

I do NOT recommend Ritos 14th Street (Garfield) or Ritos Crown (7th St,...

I have to tell you Rito's is one of those yummy places that has opened a few other shops in the valley. Here's where they are different.....their food is the same no matter what shop you go to! Today I found out why! They have the same lady that cooks the green chili and the red chili train every person that's going to be stepping foot in a Rito's kitchen(ritos with an O) I thought that was pretty impressive and that's what separates them from all these other places. Ill give an example...Tacos Tijuana. They used to be really good. They had a food truck at 67th and Tbird. Now they've opened a few shops and their food isn't consistent nor is it good...it is not the same so I quit going to them! Rito's every Rito's you get the same quality of food no matter what location you go too! I went to the downtown location today off of 14th st and garfield which is the original! DA BOMB!! Best green chili west of New Mexico and East for that matter. I had the red chili for the first time today too and it was really yummy and really tender. We did a red chili burrito and we did a green chili chimichanga enchilada Style with green chili sauce. So so yummy ...don't forget your chips and salsa!! Salsa is...