Even as I write this, I’m surprised that we gave Cafe Rio our business. As I walked inside to ask about ordering a pizza to go, I was no more than two steps in when I was QUICKLY ushered out of the restaurant, almost backwards, by a young, incredibly RUDE young woman (with the most beautiful eyes!) who was pointing her finger to the door as she marched towards me, as if to say “GET OUT!” without using the words. A pizza place with a bouncer? How unique! After ushering me outside, she pointed to the menu stuck on the far side of the window next to the entry (see photo). This wouldn't be an issue EXCEPT there are planters mounted on the wall under the windows, as well as a bench, where 3 people were seated. When I told her we couldn’t see over the people to read the small print on the Menu, she told us to GOOGLE Cafe Rio and look at the menu that way. Had I been alone, I would have had some choice words for her and walked. I'm accustomed to restaurants that are more respectful in how they treat their customers. They actually want our business and are not trying to turn it away.

Being scolded for not knowing their process was appalling to me. How dare I enter their establishment and ask to see a menu?! Cafe Rio EXPECTS that YOU KNOW, that behind the seated people on the bench, where a small window sits cracked open, that there is a menu posted on the far side of that window, and that there is someone there, inside the dark window space, ready to take one's order. Seriously? Who BLOCKS their take away window with a bench where people sit (and block it), and then sticks their menu on the OPPOSITE side of the window from where you are supposed to place your order? Much less EXPECT people to know that's where you place 'to go" orders and that there's a menu posted when there is NO sign saying "Carry Out Orders" or "To Go Orders"? Why not invest in a PLACE CARRY OUT ORDERS HERE sign to stick on the window (or write it on a piece of paper) and move the menu to the LEFT of the window where it's easier to see/read? Or what about a DO NOT ENTER (WAIT HERE is more friendly BTW) sign at the door so your customers don’t get ‘bounced’ and made to feel like crap? Or even better, mount a frame with the Menu outside the door where people can actually SEE it?! Just thoughts…

I’m told people wait in lines to eat here? SADISTS! Reminds me of an old Seinfeld episode..y’all know the one! 🥣 (at least the soup was good!).

We ordered our pizza at 3ish and were told it would be ready at 4:20pm. We arrived at 4:20pm for pick-up. At just about 5pm, after waiting in the cold, gusting winds, we received our lukewarm pizza and headed back to the cabin.

I do NOT understand all the hoopla about Cafe Rio??? The pizza was pedestrian at best (honestly, I've had better frozen pizza). Certainly not worth the long wait, or being treated as we were. Our pizza looked NOTHING like the photos we saw online either. Maybe they're nice if you eat inside and don't order to go? Also, before deciding to eat here, be sure to go to their website and read their NOTE (more like a WARNING) at the bottom of the page.

The manager/owner might consider putting the young lady working the door on Saturday afternoon (3/2/24) through some CUSTOMER SERVICE training. I would never allow an employee to treat/speak to a customer in that tone/way. Much less literally point at them, while bulldozing them out the door. That said, the young bubbly gal with shoulder length brown hair working the window was all good vibes and sunshine!

CR, if you don’t want to deal with visitors who don’t know how YOU do things, then get a big sign that reads “LOCALS ONLY”! Thankfully, our experience at other restaurants during our stay were very warm and welcoming.😉