Summerlin eatery offers Mexican fare in casual venue
By JAN HOGAN
VIEW STAFF WRITER
Jacob Kepler/ViewNathan Brown, right, works with Chris Turner and other staff members to prepare lunch for patrons at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill at 9002 W. Sahara Ave.
Jacob Kepler/ViewCoby Powell, left, and Erin Rutten eat lunch at Cafe Rio Mexican Grill. The 3,300-square-foot establishment seats about 90 people indoors and 24 outside.
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Transplants from Utah no longer have to drive to St. George to get their fill of Cafe Rio Mexican Grill.
The eatery recently opened its first Nevada location at 9002 W. Sahara Ave., on the northeast corner of Fort Apache Road.
The 3,300-square-foot establishment seats about 90 people indoors and 24 outside. It promotes a fun, casual atmosphere, with chairs painted in bright colors of lime, purple, yellow and pink.
Interior roof lines jut out from the walls, and the tailgate of an old truck protrudes near the beverage dispenser. Patrons can follow the railing to the food line, where they can watch their meals come together.
Offerings include enchiladas, tacos, salads and burritos, with a choice of chicken breast, chile-roasted beef or pork barbacoa. The tacos also can be made with fire-grilled salmon.
"People have written in and joked, 'You must put drugs in your food because it's so addicting,' " said Bob Nilsen, president and chief executive officer of the business.
The eatery also offers dessert.
Realtor Sonja Ayala said she was taken with the aroma the moment she walked in the door. Meanwhile, Tammy Deja, a legal secretary, said the cafe made for a worthwhile place to eat.
"The meat is good quality and not just fast food," said Deja.
Her husband, Steve, who works in sales, said "The pork was really good. It had a sweet flavor to it that got spicy at the end."
Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Cafe Rio has 13 restaurants in Utah and two in Phoenix. Nilsen said the company is planning to open a second valley location.
The location is expected to open in Henderson, with an anticipated opening this summer, according to Nilsen.
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