Rio Grande Cafe

258 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, United States
+1 801-364-3302
$$$ Mexican restaurant
(1,503 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to Rio Grande Cafe, a gem nestled in the heart of Salt Lake City, where vibrant Mexican flavors come alive in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Located at 258 S 1300 E, this restaurant offers a delightful escape for those seeking authentic Mexican cuisine paired with friendly service.

The moment you step inside, you'll feel the charm radiating from every corner. The interior has been beautifully transformed, featuring two spacious dining floors and inviting outdoor seating for those sunny Utah days. The ambiance is lively and casual, making it the perfect spot for everything from a quick lunch to a festive dinner with friends and family.

What truly sets Rio Grande Cafe apart is its delectable menu filled with a mouth-watering array of dishes. Begin your culinary journey with irresistible appetizers like the Tortilla Chips and Salsa ($1.95)—crispy and perfect for dipping, or indulge in the creamy Guacamole and Chips ($6.50) that bursts with fresh flavors. The Quesadilla ($3.95) and Super Nachos ($10.95) are fantastic crowd-pleasers, sure to satisfy your cravings.

For the main course, don’t miss out on the famous Beef Chimi, which one delighted customer raved about, noting its incredible taste and well-balanced flavors. The Chile Bowl ($5.50), featuring homemade red or green chile served with warm flour tortillas, offers a comforting, authentic experience that truly reflects the essence of Mexican dining.

Customer feedback reflects the dedication to quality and service. One guest remarked on the "awesome customer service" provided by attentive staff, ensuring every dine-in experience is both pleasant and memorable. Many reviews highlight the fresh and flavorful salsa—a staple that many patrons can’t stop talking about. Although some found it chunky, it adds a unique character that pairs beautifully with their crispy tortilla chips.

For those looking to enjoy a satisfying lunch without the heaviness, the "small plates" menu is perfect, delivering all the favorites in just the right portions. Whether you're a local or just passing through, the inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and exceptional service at Rio Grande Cafe make each visit a delightful experience.

So, grab your friends and family, and head to Rio Grande Cafe for a feast that will awaken your taste buds and leave you craving more. With a commitment to quality and a passion for authentic Mexican cuisine, this restaurant is undoubtedly a must-visit for anyone in Salt Lake City!

For inquiries or to book your table, call them at +1 801-364-3302. Dive into a flavorful experience at Rio Grande Cafe—your taste buds will thank you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Historic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Paid street parking
Openings Hours

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

1503 Reviews
Kristyn Smedley

08 Nov 2025

Lovely place to eat. The inside is awesome and they converted it well. There are two floors for dining and outdoor eating if the weather is nice. No complaints with service. Everyone was friendly and attentive. Food tasted exactly as I hoped. Tried the beef enchilada with rice and beans. Salsa was good flavor wise. Didn’t love how it was chunky as it was hard to eat and the chips kept breaking (I do recognize that is personal preference).

Its Probably Sharon

16 Oct 2025

First time eating here. Was up in the area for a doctor appointment. The building itself is really cool to start off. Food was amazing & that salsa was so fresh.. just perfect! I had the Beef Chimi & it was very good. Wish I lived closer - I would visit more often

Brandon Schill

04 Oct 2025

I've been coming here for a while, and I've only had bad service one time (they quickly fixed that) the food has always been good and the staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Justus, Romy and Helen have all taken great care of their customers from what I have seen/experienced. Thanks you guys for making this a comfortable place to frequent.

Pam Postma

28 Sep 2025

We stopped in for lunch when we found ourselves nearby. We hadn’t been to the newer location but we frequented the old location because it closer to us. The food was great as always and I appreciated the “small plates” menu (perfect for lunch). Beyond the food I want to give a shout out for the awesome customer service. We had a minor issue with our soft drinks, Max our server was on it quickly, and then Edd (manager?) checked on us as well and made things right. It’s been a while since we encountered service like we did at Rio Grande. Made our day!

Bayton Jon

14 Sep 2025

I don't review all the time, but for this restaurant I felt like I must. Kyle was our server, address my allergy with professionalism, prompt even during lunch, and the food was just so good. The spices and flavors we on point! I would recommend them to anyone in the area. But warning, google maps didnt have it listen when I asked for restaurants in the area. We saw it as we were driving, so lucky we did!

Tai Imes

08 Sep 2025

Ashley and Edd were so welcoming, conversational and kind. The food is so delicious highly recommend, the vibe is chill and the cleanliness was superb! Must try! Fresh made salsa as well and the chips, the queso was so delicious and so were the tacos I tried!!

TheDoug801

20 Aug 2025

Delish!!! That there is a Rio Grande Taco. Yes indeed it’s a must do. I get mine with shredded beef. If you’re feeling really hungry the nachos are the perfect cure. Service is always good. Great draft beer selection. Only negative is lack of parking. Good luck!

Justin Davis

29 Jul 2025

Excellent service, atmosphere, and food quality. Staff were attentive to needs. Food portions were generally large, delicious, well-cooked, and hot. Queso dip size could have been a little bigger. Refillables were responsively refilled. Multiple staff attended to table. Staff were organized and communicated well with each other and our group.

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