El Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant

NORMALLY LOVE THIS PLACE BUT JUST PULLED UP AND THE PARKING LOT WAS TAPED OFF WITH CAUTION TAPE AND IT WAS CLOSED. ANYONE KNOW WHATS GOING ON? ARE THEY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS?

Still waiting for a server.....Not a bad little place we waited for our server for 20 min well they had a convo with someone they knew personally. If you like to wait this is the place for you for came slow as well. Food was ok at best . Waiting to get the check for another 10 min for just not a good time. More than an hour and a half for a dilla crazy

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Quesadilla

Freaking fell in love with this place! They give you some much food and it is all so good!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chimichanga

The service is quick, the place is beautiful, the food is good and the prices are fair.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fajitas

It really depends what day you go here, what service you’ll get. I’ve been 2x in the last week.The first experience was great! The second experience (yesterday) was great but warm inside, they may need a new AC unit.I always get the Pollo Bandido (no beans) and it’s soooo delicious. Chicken and rice covered in queso. It was $45 for three people during lunch hours.I have ordered takeout in the past and sometimes it’s so busy that the wait takes forever and the host disappears. Some of the hosts are not friendly, but most of them are. A few take out orders I’ve had have been messed up in the past (2x) where they’ve given us beans when we specifically asked for no beans. This is probably because of low staffing and busy times though.I still highly recommend El Rio Grande!!! It’s my favorite Mexican restaurant in the area! I literally crave this stuff. ??✨

Parking: Big parking lot!

Kid-friendliness: Kids come here all the time.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chips and Cheese, Lunch Chicken Polo, Chicken Pollo, Quesadilla

Food was mediocre at best. Presentation looked great but the taste, or lack of taste I should say, was disappointing. Best thing served was the French fires in the kids meal. The salsa tasted like they dumped cheap spaghetti sauce into a bowl.

Food: 1

Service: 2

If I could give no stars or negative stars, I would. Called and placed a to go order, they gave a 25-30 minute estimate, which is reasonable. Arrive at 30 minutes in, food should be ready. Go in and pay, host disappears, 40 MINUTES LATER someone finally brings my food out. The place was half empty and fully staffed. There is no excuse for this. I'll never give my business to rio grande ever again

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We have lived in Independence for a couple of years and decided to give this place a try. We went on a Saturday around 1:30 in the afternoon, it wasn’t particularly busy. We stood by the host desk up front, and didn’t see any staff in the restaurant, just a couple of seated tables. There was a bell ringing I assume alerting the kitchen someone was there, after about 10 minutes of standing there and only seeing one waiter who came out and never acknowledged us we left, probably won’t be coming back. Not a good way to draw in new business!

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

My girlfriend and I love this place! You might be thinking that it's just another Mexican restaurant, but what's wrong with that? Good service and great food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

No alcohol in the drinks didn't asked if I wanted it frozen or on the rocks didn't ask if I wanted salt or sugar on rim of my drink. With my food they brought beans and rice instead of a whole plate of nachos with steak or chicken on it. What I ordered on the menu did not match up with what I got.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The salsa tasted like it was from a jar...maybe it wasn't but that was my first impression. I ordered a taco salad and the shell was stale, was very disappointed. The staff was very friendly and the place was clean, just didn't have a very good experience with the food.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

Ok, that's twice now. TURN DOWN THE FREAKIN' MUSIC!Last time was before Christmas. The overhead speaker played Bing Crosby singing "Winter Wonderland". Then it played again. And again. For the entire meal. Nothing else, just an endless loop. Asked the server about it. "The boss likes it".Just now came back for another try, because frankly, the food is superb and the portions are huge. I've got napkins stuffed in my ears because the Mexican Muzak is deafening. Not going to even ask them to turn it down. .after all, the boss likes it.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 5

Service: 5

Writing books is my primary job, but if I were to switch careers, I’d probably become a food critic. And in that alternate universe, El Rio Grande would undoubtedly be a subject of my rave reviews.From the moment I stepped into this humble abode, I knew I was in for a treat. The restaurant’s lively atmosphere is like the opening chapter of a great novel - full of promise and intrigue. The decor, a mix of authentic Mexican culture and modern elegance, is as richly textured as the characters in one of my books.Food, at its best, is not merely about taste. It's about the entire sensory experience that transports you to another world. El Rio Grande's cuisine is not just food. It's a narrative woven with the threads of time-honored Mexican culinary traditions, each dish a story in itself. The flavors are bold and complex, like a well-developed plot, and the portions are generous, leaving you satisfied yet eager for the next encounter.The price, like a well-timed plot twist, was surprisingly delightful. I had half-expected a hefty bill for such an exquisite dining experience, but El Rio Grande is a testament that great food does not always have to come at a great cost.The ice-cold beer on tap was a perfect companion to the symphony of flavors. Crisp, refreshing and served at the perfect temperature, it was like the crisp and refreshing prose I aim to write, providing a perfect interlude between the robust tales of the main courses.The staff, the unsung heroes of this narrative, were as remarkable as the food. Their service was attentive, friendly, and efficient, each one playing their part in this well-oiled machine with aplomb. As a storyteller, I appreciate the importance of supporting characters, and the El Rio Grande team is a shining example of this.In the vast anthology of dining experiences, El Rio Grande stands out like a bestseller - a masterwork of culinary storytelling. It's a place where taste, service, and value combine in a perfect blend to create an unforgettable narrative. El Rio Grande is not just a restaurant; it's a story that stays with you long after the meal is over.-Shane

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chips and Cheese, Burrito

First time going here, very impressed!! The inside is very clean, welcoming, and fun, and the food was incredible. Our waitress was very attentive, kind, and easy to talk to. Will be going back! The pollo de monterey was one of the tastiest dishes I've ever had at a Mexican restaurant and the strawberry margarita was very delicious as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tortillas, Burrito

This place is loaded with Mexican art and heritage. From food to the interior, all had authenticity of the culture. We had great service and amazing Carne Asada!! Big portions are perfect to share.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Carne Asada