Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

Loving the new location! We came in to a 45 minute wait, would love the option of being able to reserve on opentable! However a couple of spots opened at the bar and they were more than happy to do full service there.
The margaritas were refreshing.
The food was so good, we got the queso and it honestly was the highlight!! Can’t wait to come back and enjoy again.

Owner response

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is a staple in Colorado. I have been going to the location in Fort Collins since I was a little girl and have loved the restaurant since (the difference is now I get to imbibe in their famous margaritas)! We arrived at the restaurant and were seated in the main dining room.
The aesthetic of the restaurant was that of a lively cantina; the place was packed, and everyone was having a good time.
Our server Mark was stellar - he had great energy and was quick with service despite the busy restaurant.
The General Manager was active on the restaurant floor, helping his staff and customers our entire meal. I started off our meal with The Classic Rio Marg made with a legendary mixture of tequila, salt and lime on the rocks.
Nothing beats a Classic Rio Marg; each sip was fresh and crisp with the tequila balancing out the acidity of lime juice. The Chile Con Queso was made with a cheese blend and pico-de-gallo.
This is my favorite queso in town - silky smooth with perfect cheesy taste. The Guacamole was made with pico-de-gallo, cilantro, & cotija cheese; it had a delicious punch of lime.
The diced onions, tomatoes, and cilantro added crunch to the creamy guacamole. The Sauteed Chicken Enchiladas were made with Jack cheese & classic enchilada sauce.
The tender & flavorful shredded chicken was stuffed in corn tortillas and smothered in sauce. The Steak Quesadilla was made with onion, serrano peppers, jack cheese, & Mexican spices.
The crisp warm tortilla clung to plenty of melty jack cheese & grilled steak. The Crab & Shrimp Enchiladas were made with Atlantic red crab, shrimp, jack, and tomatillo sauce.
The corn tortillas were generously filled with sweet seafood and coated in savory sauce. The Ahi Lettuce Wraps were a light, fresh seasonal offering.
The cubed ahi tuna loaded the lettuce wraps with a nice citrus mandarin salsa. For dessert we had the Crispy Sopapilla made with tortilla dough, cinnamon, and sugar.
The homemade sopapillas were dusted in cinnamon sugar and topped with cold, vanilla ice cream making for sweet bites.
The fried, puffed dough was flakey and soft and stood out with a drizzle of honey.

Owner response

We popped in for an impromptu dinner with some friends and had a fabulous time.
I like the fresh and innovative take on many classic Mexican dishes.
The highlight for me was the chili relleno.
I opted to have them put the sauce on the side, so it stayed crispy.
This was a great option! Probably one of the best rellenos ever! Everyone else was happy with their dishes, and the drinks were terrific.
Our server was friendly and helpful, and the prices were very reasonable.

Owner response