Great Tex-Mex restaurant featuring the best margaritas in New York City as voted by City Search. Authentic Mexican cuisine with a flare for grilled fish. *Please note: Reservations are not available for outdoor seating. Thank you.

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54 Current Reviews

Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews

Overall

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

(54 Reviews)

Rating Breakdown 54 reviews

5 stars

(10)

4 stars

(30)

3 stars

(10)

2 stars

(3)

1 star

(1)

Food

(Very Good) 3.9 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 3.8 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 3.6 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

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Diners classify this restaurant as:

good for groups(33)
great for outdoor dining(27)
neighborhood gem(25)

special occasion(18)
vibrant bar scene(18)
hot spot(16)

El Rio Grande Reviews List

Review 1 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Fair) 2 / 5

Disappointing

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 5/03/2013

2012

Dined on 5/03/2013

2012

Food

(Good) 3 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Poor) 1 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"It was my first time at this restaurant with a couple of my girlfriends and it was not a very good experience. We were in time for our reservation and we were seated at an extremely tight space. We decided to wait for another table to open up as the original table offered to us was just unacceptable.

I understand that the restaurant/ bar is a hit for after work drinks and dinner but the management is forcing to accommodate all their customers by putting tables extremely close to each other. It was not comfortable to walk in and out of, and eating was very uncomfortable as well because you will literally hit the other diners from the next table with your elbows.

I don't think I will return."

Dined on 5/03/2013

2012

Special Features: vibrant bar scene

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Review 2 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

No complaints here!

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 6/07/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Met a couple of friends for late lunch so it wasn't too crowded (Mexico side), had super meals, empamnadas & enchildas (very reasonably priced) and had wonderful service! I used to be a regular back in the late 80's so was happy to know it was still operating. The mistake I made was not asking the price for a Skinny Margarita.....$15!!!! and I had TWO!!!! OMG Need I say more? LOL Can't imagine that you would be disappointed!"

Dined on 6/07/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion

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Review 3 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Neighbor hood gem

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/27/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Always delicious and friendly staff"

Dined on 5/27/2013

Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion, kid-friendly

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Review 4 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

the order

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/07/2013

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"order the nachos de fajita appetizer with steak as a main course...combine with frozen margarita with salt and you are in the zone"

Dined on 5/07/2013

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Review 5 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Good food, slow service

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 5/04/2013

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Fair) 2 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Took 25 mins for a waiter to come and take our order, good food, amazing guacamole"

Dined on 5/04/2013

Special Features: good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 6 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

El Rio Grande has been my

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Food

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Service

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Ambiance

(Outstanding) 5 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"El Rio Grande has been my neighborhood fave for years. Great staff, food and service. Have had several larger functions here and management was tops at putting it all together. You don't find great places like this too often. These guys always make it happen just right."

Dined on 04/27/2013

2005

Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot

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Review 7 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Good) 3 / 5

Have been eating here for

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/12/2013

2011

Dined on 04/12/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Fair) 2 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"Have been eating here for 15 years! Food is great! They used to serve an amazing avocado dip with the salsa and chips, that they no longer have. I was told too expensive to serve free...also, tables are jammed in very tight-too tight for my liking."

Dined on 04/12/2013

2011

Special Features: good for groups

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Review 8 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Pork was excellent, as were

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/07/2013

2011

Dined on 04/07/2013

2011

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Good) 3 / 5

Ambiance

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Pork was excellent, as were the margaritas !"

Dined on 04/07/2013

2011

Special Features: kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion

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Review 9 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Great for a catch up!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 04/03/2013

2010

Dined on 04/03/2013

2010

Food

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Service

(Very Good) 4 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Energetic

"My girlfriends and i had a great experience at Rio! The good was delicious, the margaritas were strong and the service was nice. The tables were on top of each other, but this place gets packed. Overall great experience!"

Dined on 04/03/2013

2010

Special Features: great for outdoor dining

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Review 10 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Poor) 1 / 5

Horrible Service!

OpenTable Diner Since

Dined on 03/17/2013

2008

Dined on 03/17/2013

2008

Food

(Fair) 2 / 5

Service

(Poor) 1 / 5

Ambiance

(Good) 3 / 5

Noise Level

Moderate

"Horrible service. Our waiter was beyond rude. He didn't bring out our orders correctly and then wanted to charge us $4 for a side of sour cream that should have been part of my fajita anyways. I'll never go back again."

Dined on 03/17/2013

2008

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Review 11 for El Rio Grande

Overall rating

(Very Good) 4 / 5