El Rio Verde Restaurant — Restaurant in Tulsa

Over the past years, I have dined at hundreds of Mexican restaurants in northeastern Oklahoma. An area I define as within the boundaries of I-40 on the south to I-35 on the west. I was searching for a Wet Burrito that would rival the Wet Burrito that has made El Rio Verde a legend and for several years, rated as the best Mexican restaurant in Tulsa. Well, nothing comes close. It is not only the best wet burrito in Tulsa, it is the best in NE Oklahoma, Period! It is what put El Rio Verde on the map.

Ok, let’s get down to the beans and rice of this issue. And that is a good place to start, beans and rice. Especially now, this burdening inflation has many restaurants stuffing their burritos disproportionately with rice. A cost saver, that will cost the restaurant customers. Too may times you can’t find the meat. El Rio Verde continues to provide customers with an equal balance of filling: rice, beans and meat. The meat is fabulous. My top choices are the carne asada, carnitas, shredded beef and the chicken. Carnitas and shredded beef being the top two picks. Wrap all of that up in a large soft flour tortilla. The makings of a nice well-balanced burrito.

The defining attribute that sets El Rio Verde apart from the competition; it is truly a wet burrito. There is a plentiful amount of tasty sauce. The menu uses the appropriate word “drenched” in salsa, not smothered, not covered, or with. There is a difference. Look at the pictures. I have had wet burritos in other restaurants that would be more appropriately called stained burritos. Very little salsa. The ample salsa does a couple of things. It softens the fluffy flour tortilla even more and allows you to dunk and sop it up with a big fork full of beans rice and meat. Enjoyment in every mouthful. There is enough tangy tasty tomato salsa to last beyond the last bite of burrito. That’s a wet burrito. That’s what to eat at El Rio Verde! The best!

Spike’s inessential commentary and misguided, unsubstantiated opinion: Some restaurants offer burritos “smothered” in queso, that are passed off as a wet burrito. Diners with little expertise in the matter, fall for the deception. So, what’s the difference between wet and smothered well, think biscuits and gravy. Have you ever had wet biscuits. Or a wet chicken fried steak? No, they are smothered in gravy. I rest my case. A burrito covered in queso is not a wet burrito. Don’t be a victim of this common Mexican restaurant scam! You know what a real wet burrito is and you know where to get the best.

Next time we will discuss the difference between a burrito and a sancho, and where to find the best “smothered burrito” in Tulsa.

For other reviews laced with superfluous, time-wasting inessential information, sarcastic diatribe and subjective opinion, follow Spike Speedwell on Google and...

Service was non-existent. We ordered water and received room temperature water with one or two small pieces of ice in each glass, which melted by the second drink. Soon after we got our menus, a server brought chips and salsa, which was more like red sauce and asked if we wanted some. We said sure. We didn't know we were getting charged for it. All Mexican restaurants we have ever been to gives you free chips and salsa. We saw our food sitting in the kitchen window to be brought to us for over 5 minutes while the 2 servers stood 6 feet away rolling silverware in napkins. The male worker, maybe the owner, finally brought it to us. No one ever checked on us, at all. We got a wet burrito and a taco salad. The burrito was pretty good, but the other person with me said that was the worst taco salad she had ever eaten and she has eaten a lot of taco salads from several Mexican restaurants in her lifetime. There were big chunks of lettuce and long strips of flavorless beef. We finished our meal and sat another 10 to 15 minutes waiting to see if anyone would come by. There were three other tables of people and no one had anyone come by to check on drinks or anything. Not one time! I needed a box and the ticket. Finally the male employee went around and handed out tickets to everyone and asked if I wanted a box. That was the only interaction we had with anyone since we got our food. I got my box and we went to pay. I asked about the charge for chips and salsa and was told it was on the menu. I told her I hadn't had time to look at the menu when the lady came by with them. If I had, I probably wouldn't have looked in the section where it was listed. I just wanted to see what kind of burritos they had and didn't need to read the whole menu. She asked if it was my first time there. I guess they expect people to know the chips they immediately serve you are not complimentary. I told her it has been several years since I had been there. I have only eaten there at lunchtime, as was the case today. The previous few times I have been there must have been ok because I don't remember anything negative about those visits, but it has been a few years ago when I went. Maybe it was an off day, but we watched the two ladies who had brought the menus, water, chips and salsa, roll silverware in napkins for the entire time we ate and never attempted to see if we wanted any more room temperature water or to see how we were doing. One finally got up when another table of people got up to pay and we paid and left right behind them. It wasn't a good...

While passing through Tulsa, OK today, I finally stopped in to try El Rio Verde Mexican Restaurant after hearing several mentions of their famous “Wet Burrito.” Just a few blocks from The Outsiders Museum—one of my favorite little Tulsa stops—this spot is the definition of a “hole in the wall.” Honestly, it’s the kind of place some folks might pass right by without a second glance. But let me tell you—it was busy, and that burrito had been on my mind all morning.

I was greeted quickly and told to sit wherever I liked. The place is small—maybe 16 tables—but it had a steady flow of customers. Chips, salsa, and a menu landed on the table right away, and I ordered up some queso and their well-known Wet Burrito with Al Pastor.

The queso arrived first and was solid, then just a few minutes later came the main event: that big, cheesy, saucy burrito that’s earned this place its local reputation. It was loaded with flavorful Al Pastor and topped with melted cheese, salsa, a scoop of sour cream, and guacamole. Definitely a hearty meal.

Overall? It was good. Not the best I’ve ever had, but certainly worth a try—especially if you're in the mood for something bold and satisfying. I’d stop in again when the craving hits. The Outsiders House Museum El Rio Verde Mexican Restaurant

Rob Score 7.0/10.0

#mexicanfood #tulsa #tulsaoklahoma #Oklahoma #alpastor...