Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is a fast-casual restaurant chain renowned for its authentic Mexican cuisine, emphasizing fresh, made-from-scratch meals. Founded in 1997 by Steve and Tricia Stanley in St. George, Utah, the brand has expanded significantly.

It now operates over 160 locations across 11 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

The restaurant's menu features a variety of Mexican dishes, such as burritos, tacos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, and soups. A standout item is the Sweet Pork Barbacoa, slow-simmered for hours in a blend of spices. This offers a flavorful experience that has garnered a dedicated following.

All meals are prepared fresh daily in an open kitchen, with tortillas made from scratch and hand-rolled in front of customers. The commitment to freshness is further demonstrated by the absence of microwaves and freezers in their restaurants.

In recent years, Cafe Rio has embraced technological advancements to enhance the dining experience. The introduction of Digital Cafés incorporates features like digital kiosk ordering, mobile app ordering for in-store or curbside pickup, and traditional drive-thru services.

These innovations aim to provide customers with flexible ordering options and streamline the process, contributing to increased average unit volumes.

Locations

As of August 2025, Cafe Rio continues to operate numerous locations across the United States, including:

• Las Vegas, NV
• Billings, MT
• Loveland, CO
• Bakersfield, CA
• West Valley City, UT
• Compton, CA
• North Las Vegas, NV
• Denver, CO
• Missoula, MT
• Provo, UT
• Fresno, CA
• Buckeye, AZ
• Costa Mesa, CA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Fort Collins, CO
• Gilbert, AZ
• Tacoma, WA
• Northglenn, CO
• Everett, WA
• Eastvale, CA

Each restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere, making it a popular choice for those seeking authentic Mexican flavors in a fast-casual setting.