THE BLOCK — Restaurant in Rio Rancho

Disappointing Experience at The Block – Needs Major Improvements

I really wanted to enjoy The Block, but unfortunately, our experience was nothing short of exhausting. The concept has potential, but it feels like they rushed the opening without proper planning.

I visited with my 90-year-old father, who uses oxygen and a walker, and my 85-year-old mother. I also have Interstitial Lung Disease, which limits my energy, making accessibility a major concern. Sadly, this place offered little to no accommodations for those with disabilities—both visible and invisible.

The overall experience was chaotic. We spent nearly $100—$25 on pizza, $15 on chicken tenders, $45 for two rounds of beer, and $20 for dessert—but the hassle of ordering and retrieving everything made it feel like a complete waste.

Accessibility & Service Issues •   No bar service downstairs on weekdays – I had to go upstairs four times just to get drinks, which was exhausting given my health condition. •   Lack of menus – There were no paper menus, and vendors were indifferent when asked about them. I had to run around taking pictures of menus to show my dad. •   Long wait times & unorganized ordering – A 25-minute wait for pizza, a chicken place that temporarily stopped taking orders, and a patty melt order out of sheer necessity. When I left to get my dad’s food, the chicken place reopened ordering—just my luck. •   No central place for essentials – No dedicated station for napkins, utensils, or to-go containers. I had to run around just to find a bag to take leftovers home. •   Zero customer service – Most vendors seemed uninterested, rolling their eyes or talking among themselves instead of helping customers. One vendor handed me a to-go bag with no eye contact, as if I was a burden for simply asking. •   No atmosphere – No music, no TVs, just an oversized ad for The Block—why advertise to people already there?

A Clear Contrast

We debated between Tin Can Alley and The Block tonight. We made the wrong choice. Tin Can Alley offers friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere, and a hassle-free experience. From now on, that’s where we’ll spend our money.

The one bright spot? The Boba Tea Waffle desserts. They were divine. I surprised my parents with Nutella waffle bites, plus a strawberry, banana, and sweet cream drizzled combo. Absolutely delicious—easily the best part of the night.

Final Verdict: The Block needs serious work. It’s a frustrating, inaccessible mess with poor service, no organization, and unnecessary attitude from employees. Instead of enforcing a dress code (for a glorified food court?), they should focus on fixing these glaring issues first. Until then, it’s not...

The good: some of the food places have amazing food and those restaurants will be rated accordingly on their own review sites.

The not so good: initially upon opening we were super stoked to check out Rio’s version of the container park. However the first time we went we were denied entry due to having our pet. No pet policies are understandable we were just used to tin can, green jeans and sawmill where we were allowed our dog. The no dog policy is no biggie however, I had commented on a facebook post where the block was having a dog adoption event that it was a shame that no dogs were allowed to be met with a comment that signs were posted at the front weeks before the opening. Let’s be real here, who actively walks all the way to a business entry weeks before opening to read “rules”.

Went a few weeks later to find 70% of the vendors being closed. I understand that each business is independent and can choose their own hours but for almost all of the options to be closed, why would you choose to even go to a venue?

We have been about 4 times since and have had some Okayish experiences since then. Nothing to write home about so to say. However having followed this business on social media we are now seeing what seems to be a blatant attempt at making the business non family friendly stating no games no playing around and what feels like a no fun policy. Add that up plus the no pets in an outdoor container park equals a real bad time. We have seen since posts that indicate a business casual attire is highly suggested. I will not adhere to a dress code of a business with fast food as it is a ridiculous requirement. Considering you claim to be family friendly, would you expect a CHILD to show up in this attire??

To the owner maybe you need to find vendors that align with the open times of your park and hold them to better standards. It is RIDICULOUS to have 10-20 vendors and only 3 be open on any given day at any time. Let’s kids run and have a good time. I don’t have any children but parents don’t deserve the treatment they have received. If you want a calm adults only venue then open one that doesn’t adhere to the open air container park idea you have chosen to pursue.

Previous replies from the business on negative come across as bias and that of someone who is to passive aggressive to adress actual issues.

Go to the block with cautionary...

Went to The Block today with my two daughters and my two grandkids to enjoy a day of festivities for St. Patrick’s day,gold coin scavenger hunt and we thought other fun activities turned out to be a living nightmare. First of all scavenger hunt was scheduled to start by 10 am two other families including us to make that three families were waiting patiently we got some drinks and food while we waited almost an hour passed no scavenger hunt we asked an employee if he knew what was going on and he immediately called we assumed person in charge he then went on to put out necklaces, headbands and sunglasses (NO COINS) and proceeded to tell all about eight kiddos to go, my grandkids got one of each object grandson had two necklaces cause obviously he wasn’t going to wear a headband, when they were approached by the late very unprofessional obviously woman in charge of this event started telling them to put their stuff back that they were very selfish at this point my daughter obviously standing there jumped in and apologized and put a necklace back but the lady started yelling at her and my grandkids telling them to put things back and leave and she kicked us out. Mind you I was at our table with our food that my babies were enjoying, they came back to the table devastated my 9 year old autistic grandson was apologizing saying he wasn’t sorry and we need to call the cops on that mean lady, he thought he did something wrong and was so upset. My babies have been upset all day , this ruined all of our plans for the day we tried to make it better but damage was already done . We had witnesses that have spoken up for us on FB but The Block has since removed all comments on original post and left it to where greedy leprechauns took all the “coins”. This was very unprofessional behavior we will never go back and don’t recommend this place to anyone when there are events happening obviously event coordinator really doesn’t give a crap of events taking place in this...