Reserve now:
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - BoulderReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
Denver / Colorado Restaurant Reviews >
Boulder Area Restaurant Reviews >
Boulder Restaurant Reviews >
Mexican Restaurant Reviews
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder Reviews List
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Step away from the Pearl Street Mall and escape to the Rio – for a little weekend spirit every day of the week. The Boulder Rio is seriously good, whether you’re bringing the family for dinner or just bringing your thirst for a good time on our rooftop patio.
See more Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder details
57 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 57 reviews
5 stars
(25)
4 stars
(21)
3 stars
(7)
2 stars
(4)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(35)
- hot spot(20)
- vibrant bar scene(20)
- kid-friendly(19)
- great for outdoor dining(17)
- neighborhood gem(12)
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder Reviews List
Review 1 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Our server was great and the food was delicious. I love the fresh tortillas!"
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great for a Sunny Boulder Day
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This was our best trip to the Rio in a long time. The food was hot, delicious and the service was ontime. We sat in the 'garage' portion up near the street but on street level. It was a nice day and you could see the mountains in the distance. The Rio is our college-age daughter's favorite Boulder location to be with her friends and we return again and again to enjoy the food, fun and being with them. The Rio is particularly fun for a group of people with plenty to share."
Dined on 04/26/2013
2008
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
We love the Rio! The food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We love the Rio! The food is not the best Mexican in town, but the drinks, service, and atmosphere can not be beat. We have a great time every time!"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Stick with Latin music for
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Stick with Latin music for better ambiance."
Dined on 04/12/2013
2011
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food. Chile relleno,
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Excellent food. Chile relleno, chicken fajitas and pork burrito were all excellent. The salsa is fresh an hot. Margaritas pack a punch. Great roof top bar with outstanding view of Flagstaff and the Flatirons. Worth going."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Given that our reservation
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Given that our reservation was at 6:15pm and was not seated until 45 minutes later we had a wonderful time. The management was aplogetic,and kept us abreast as to why there was no table for us. To give the Rio a chance it was VERY busy and one of our 1st picture perfect days here in Colorado."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2013
Special Features: great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Bones in kids meal....
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The location is perfect, service was great and food had a great taste. However I found a very sharp bone in the kids burrito! Luckily I took I bite from my daughters plate and found the bone. It would've been very dangerous if she had taken that bite! I spoke to the waiter who promptly send the manager. He was very polite and apologized, however I still believe it is something that should've not happened, specially an item from the kids menu."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Love this place! Great margaritas
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Love this place! Great margaritas and food and it is right in the middle of the action in Boulder! Can't wait for the rooftop to be open in the Spring."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Thank you. It was great food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Thank you. It was great food and drinks. Service was great as well as we ended up having more people than anticipated and they welcomed everyone. The going away party could not have worked out better anywhere else. Will certainly use this location again. Reserving online is the only way to go. It was seamless and all went so well. I am very pleased once again with the Rio!!!!"
Dined on 03/07/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Alwas good!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"One of our favorites, always great food and great service!"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great time!!! Service was
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great time!!! Service was awesome!!!"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 12 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food! Great service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great food! Great service. Loved the margaritas and guacamole:)"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, kid-friendly, hot spot
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I hadn't been to the Rio in
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I hadn't been to the Rio in about 10 years and all I remembered was the Margaritas. We had dinner there for my son's birthday and it was delicious, I was very pleasantly surprised!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 14 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Rio Grande is fun and energetic
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Rio Grande is fun and energetic - I always get the Guacamole tostada and am never disappointed."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 15 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great time, Excellent waiter!!!!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great time, Excellent waiter!!!! Excellent food, excellent drinks!!! I will always bring my out-of-town guests to the Rio. Plus, will eat there with my family frequently. I have been eating at the Rio for past 18 years, the service was better than ever with my relatives this past time! We all had a blast!! The Rio is a real Boulder Gem!!! There is not another Mexican restaurant with such great food in town! Constant, not bothersome attention from our waiter, and other helpers throughout our dinner. Best dining experience in Boulder! My relatives were very impressed!!
The Bradfords"
The Bradfords"
Dined on 02/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 16 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The food is good and the margaritas
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The food is good and the margaritas are the best! Its a fun , friendly animated restaurant."
Dined on 02/11/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 17 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Always good and the Margaritas
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Always good and the Margaritas are the best"
Dined on 02/09/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 18 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Food was fine. My husband
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was fine. My husband really liked his baked chile rellenos (?sp) and I liked it too when I had his. He also loved his house margarita- he usually doesn't get the house but he says theirs is one of the better house ones in Boulder. Other food was okay though kids portion was very small (perhaps a just turned 9 year old is too old for kids menu). The Nachos were smallish and had too much lettuce which tended to make it cold and somewhat soggy. They seated our party of 4 at a small booth where we didn't fit too well but moved us when we asked. I would go again and just choose better (get the chile rellenos or the chicken fajitas; veggie ones I got didn't have enough onions and peppers needed more cooking; and get the house margarita)."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, kid-friendly
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 19 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The Rio is always a success
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The Rio is always a success because of their margaritas, they are strong and moderately priced. The food is decent and what you would expect from a chain Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere is great for a group of friends meeting up for drinks and it is also enjoyable for families."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 20 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Margaritas were great as always.
Food
(Poor)
1
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Margaritas were great as always. Food was not near as good as it has beenin the past."
Dined on 02/06/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 21 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good Food service could be improved
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food was good but the waitress we had was horrible. She forgot our appetizer, then it took her forever to refill our drinks and we had to stop another waiter to fill our water glasses. Then it took us almost 20 min. to get our food, which we thought was unusual. Then after we got our food our waitress never asked us how our meal was. Not the best experience but fun and we will return and try it again!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 22 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
EXPENSIVE!! they have yet
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"EXPENSIVE!! they have yet again raised their price of their margs. What was already overpriced @ $6.50 for the volume and quality of tequila (Jose Cuervo) used they have now rounded that up to $7.00. Their margaritas are good don't get me wrong, but for $7.00 you might as well go down the street and get a 'premium' margarita made with patron or don julio for the same price but a better tequila. I also feel like the food is overpriced for what you get. I have been a long time customer (6+ years now) and i have over the years watched their prices go up without quality or quantity changing. I know the economy isn't the same as it was 2-3 years ago but last I checked Jose Cuervo is still bottom rung of the tequila ladder. Raise $ raise quality!"
Dined on 01/25/2013
2012
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 23 for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Lauren
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I love the Rio. Coming from Texas, it has always been hard to find authentic Mexican food in Boulder. The Rio hits the spot every time. Great Happy Hour and a great overall environment. The queso is to die for."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant - Boulder
Based on the average of (34) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.1
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic