Cafe Rio opens

“Put on your party pants” says a small sign planted in Citrus Plaza advertising the newly-opened Cafe Rio.

OK.

The Utah-based restaurant opened for business Monday. I dropped in for a visit Tuesday evening.

The dcor was inviting, with punched tin mirrors and lampshades and colorful crackle-paint furniture.

The restaurant was packed. Every table was filled. The line, however, was fairly short.

As I stepped into the ordering line, I was mesmerized by the rotating grill on which one of the employees was cooking fresh tortillas. Yum!

I ordered a grilled chicken burrito, which was made right in front of me and dropped onto a conveyor belt to be heated in a small oven.

It was a decent enough burrito, but at $7.25, I was expecting perhaps a little something extra.

For that price, I could get seven Beefy Crunch burritos over at Taco Bell, or 14 bean and cheese burritos at Del Taco, and still have change left over. Not that I would want to, mind you.

For a closer comparison, Chipotle’s grilled chicken burrito will set you back $5.85.

As I moved toward the register the dozen or so employees in the kitchen sang a song to first-time diners behind me in line.

Whew…dodged that bullet!

My dining companion remarked that it was like Cold Stone Creamery meets Chevy’s Fresh Mex.

Probably a better deal for the budget-conscious is to try one of their daily specials.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Monday: Chile rellenos
Tuesday: Coconut shrimp tacos
Wednesday: Chicken tostada salad
Thursday: Pork or chicken tamales
Friday: Grilled steak or chicken fideo
Saturday: Fish or fried shrimp taco

For instance, the Tuesday deal was $5.95 for one taco, rice, beans and a soda, or $8.95 if you want two tacos.

I’ll return in a couple of weeks when the hoopla dies down a little and see how things are progressing.

Have you been to Cafe Rio this week? How was your experience? Let us know below.