Yum, Boise: ‘Ultra-modern’ new chain restaurant opens where longtime chain closed

Are Mexican chain restaurants nacho thing?

Too bad, amigo. I’ve got a soft spot for spicy stuff.

So here’s hot news: Cafe Rio Mexican Grill just opened last week at 980 S. Broadway Ave. near Boise State. For the past decade-plus, the BSU crowd knew that space as a Baja Fresh store, which finally closed.

This isn’t just any Cafe Rio. With an estimated cost of $400,000, it’s a complete overhaul: new kitchen equipment, furniture, exterior paint, restrooms — the whole enchilada.

Founded in 1997 in St. George, Utah, Cafe Rio serves “fresh food, made fresh,” the company says. “No freezers. No microwaves. Nothing premade.”

Most menu entrees range from $7 to $12. You’ll plow into tacos, burritos, salads, enchiladas, tostadas, quesadillas and more. Fillings include spicy hatch chile pork, sweet pork barbacoa, chile roast beef, shredded chicken breast, fire-grilled chicken, fire-grilled steak and vegetarian.

Newbies at the fast-casual restaurant might gravitate to colorful, enticing staples such as good ol’ tacos or nachos. Can’t go wrong. Grab an order to go. But more ambitious palates might be happier diving into a hot bowl of tortilla soup, “shredded all white meat chicken breast, topped with a steaming cup of broth and overflowing with fresh veggies, crunchy tortilla strips, hand-scooped guacamole, pico de gallo and hand-shredded cheese.”

One caveat. Cafe Rio is known for daily deals, such as Taco Tuesdays — when shredded beef and vegetarian tacos go for as little as $1.99 — but the normal specials aren’t being offered right now, according to the chain’s website. Still, this location offers dine-in, takeout and curbside pickup, which is a big plus during the COVID pandemic.

Terry Loock, the chain’s director of construction, told the Statesman earlier this year that this location is a “brand-new design” for the chain — “a fresh look and ultra-modern.” The store’s updated set-up will “be the same food,” Loock explained, “only prepared better.”

Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10:30 a.m-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

Cafe Rio slings grub at more than 125 locations, including two others in the Treasure Valley — at 8233 W. Franklin Road in Boise and at 396 S. Eagle Road in Eagle.

As for Baja Fresh? It hasn’t exited the scene entirely. There are two remaining Treasure Valley restaurants: One at 992 N. Milwaukee St. in Boise and another at 1440 N. Eagle Road in Meridian.

Online: caferio.com.

This story was originally published August 6, 2020 at 3:45 PM.