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Rio Adobe Southwest Cafe
Categories: Restaurants Mexican Event Planning & Services Caterers Mexican, Caterers [Edit]
10525 S De Anza Blvd#100
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 873-1600
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
209 reviews for Rio Adobe Southwest Cafe
Review Highlights
"I had crab tacos with black beans and rice and it was soo..."
(in 14 reviews)
"They served her a Carne Adobada taco."
(in 8 reviews)
"a smoked gouda quesadilla."
(in 3 reviews)
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209 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa S.
Cupertino, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here for the first time two days ago. I was looking for a place with good nachos around the neighborhood and came across Rio Adobe on Yelp.
My 4 stars review is based only on their Pueblo Nachos. It was really good and exactly what I needed. The appetizer was around $9 (because I added steak, otherwise it would've been cheaper). They weren't stingy with anything at all - lots of cheese, steak, bean, chips, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. It's great that they don't charge extra for guacamole and they have a free salsa counter.
I'm definitely coming back to try their shrimp tacos. -
Review from Ede S.
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
What is this? Caffe Macs: Tex Mex?! When I came here for lunch with my husband, i noticed everyone with their Apple badges. I guess this is Apple employee's go-to place since their Mexican food doesn't have meat.
Anyway, I tried the mahi mahi burrito and it was just a-okay. I still prefer Mountain View's more authentic taquerias. It was a bit too dry for my liking. I think my favorite here were the chips and the salsa. Yes... don't get the horchata! It's not authentic and it just tastes weird! -
Review from Ashwini S.
Mountain View, CA
2/4/2012
We were so let down after all these Yelp reviews or was Rio Adobe just having a bad day?!
I got the Mahi taco and i really had to hunt for the mahi in all that lettuce. When i did get to the mahi part, it wasn't fresh.
My husband got a Poblano quesadilla which was really good! I would definitely get this if we go back. And, our friend got a shrimp taco which he thought was ok!
Staff is really nice, the place is basic but clean and parking is easy!
Would i be back? Maybe, if i'm in the area and i'd only get the Poblano quesadilla. -
Review from Ryan L.
1/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place is kind of amazing. It's like the Amerimex or Fresh Mex chains that offer burritos and such but this place is way better and it has much more variety.
I went with some friends and everything we tried was delicious. The tacos, enchiladas, burritos, nachos were all very good.
I ordered the Nachos and it was a plate the size of my head. It was enough for 2 people and it was only $7! What a deal!
The place was clean and well decorated. We ordered the food and it took a little while for it to come out but it was definitely worth the short wait.
I would return many times over. -
Review from Jodi C.
1/7/2012 6 photos
Que bonita!
This southwest restaurant is cute, kept very clean, and on the smaller side. Staff are very friendly and you can see the kitchen, which I've found to be a general sign of above par cooking practices (think: the opposite of what you've seen in the disgustingly hilarious movie "Waiting"...).
The Quesadilla Hongos was, hands down, the best quesadilla I've ever had: wild mushrooms, monterey jack cheese, with a crusting of parmesan on the fried tortilla. It's served with caesar dressing, which is odd but delicious for quesadilla-dipping.
The tijuana caesar salad was HUGE. I mean, that was a salad meant for a family to share. It literally stood about 8 inches tall and was tumbling over the side of the plate, aching to dive into my belly. I also had one of their mimosas, which the waiter initially forgot to bring, but was filled with fresh fruit slices.
They have a nice variety of beverages, heat lamps on the patio for outdoor dining, and a decent salsa bar.
I'm pretty picky when it comes to Mexican food, and I really enjoyed what I found at this restaurant. Their menu isn't huge, but what they DO have, they do really well.
Have you ever had a dream with a quesadilla in it? Well, don't be surprised if you do after divulging in one of Rio's cheesy tortilla delights. -
Review from Edward C.
Medford, MA
1/3/2012
Once upon a time, there were two local high school juniors (Ryan and Ed) who were hungry. They were hungry for both knowledge and food, but mostly just hungry for food. The two strapping young gentlemen exclaimed, "wherever shall we eat?" The typical fare for high schoolers who had cars was Chipotle, Taco Bell or McDonalds.
On their way to the Chipotle on De Anza, they decided to do something different. A new restaurant had recently opened up on the corner and they decided in their hunger craze to try it.
Lo and behold, they had found Rio Adobe Southwest Cafe. They tried the Burrito Mojado with a heaping of cheese and chicken cooked to absolute perfection. Unlike the big, bad Chipotle corporation next door, Rio Adobe had FREE CHIPS with SIX DIFFERENT CHOICES OF FRESHLY MADE SALSA . While a little pricier, they decided the authentic southwest food, well decorated and clean dining environment at Rio Adobe was an acceptable trade-off.
Since that fateful day six years ago, Ed has come back time and time again for take-out, lunch and dinner. He is still impressed by the fresh ingredients and would recommend the Carne Adobada Burrito and the Poblano Pesto Chimichanga. -
Review from Kim B.
Cupertino, CA
1/23/2012
Jim catered the food for our engagement party at Picchetti Winery. Rio Adobe Catering did a fabulous job and it was a pleasure working with Jim. The menu he suggested was a perfect mix of 'passed" appetizers, salads, a carving station, and a large variety of cheeses. The flavors, spices, herbs were delicious. Food presentation was also lovely. There were 60 guests and he provided everything; the servers, the dishes, setup, cleanup, and all without the use of a kitchen. Even if you aren't looking to hire him as your caterer, make sure and try the tortilla soup at the restaurant. Delicious.
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Review from J H.
San Jose, CA
12/23/2011
I've come here several times with friends, and it's a great place to eat without complications of billing (which gets especially messy with big groups of teenagers). You order your own and sit down either inside or out. The outside seating isn't bad, and is usually in the shade. You get your food pretty fast, but while you wait for your meal you will get a free bowl of chips and can get whatever salsa you want from the bar on the side. I like to mix them together!
I usually order a quesadilla or a burrito, but can never finish either because the portions are pretty big! The taste is pretty good, and price is great for what you get.
I'd recommend this place to others and definitely come back for more! -
Review from Shelley G.
Saratoga, CA
12/14/2011
For a quick, tasty Mexican dish come to Rio Adobe. There is limited seating, but the free chips they bring to you while you wait for your meal make up for it. Great selection of bottled drinks and salsa.
The salads and burritos are of generous portions and if you get something smaller, such as tacos or quesadillas, you will not be paying big bucks. I usually get the Rice and Bean tacos, or the tortilla soup, both are delicious. A friend got food poisoning off the crab cakes, so I stay away from those.
I will be returning next time I am in mood for some Mexican food -
Review from Boomer Fwang ..
Mountain View, CA
12/5/2011
Selection of salsa was very tasty, but much to our disappointment, the chicken in my son's chicken bowl was NOT cooked all the way and it was pink in the middle. When we brought the dish back to the cashier, he did not seem concerned that they were serving raw chicken to guests.
Unfortunately, we will not be coming back here again. -
Review from Melanie N.
San Francisco, CA
10/4/2011
If you're looking for decent Mexican food in Cupertino and don't have time to find a nice, sit down restaurant and/or don't feel like faux Mexican at Aqui across the street, come to Rio Adobe.
The food is delicious, home made and the staff is friendly. The prices are reasonable and they have an amazing salsa bar. -
Review from Katrina T.
Cupertino, CA
Why it took so long for me to come here? I don't know! I guess I just needed someone to come with me here to check this place out and I finally was able to! I always passed by this place everyday during the summer on my way to De Anza College and it always looks so packed which gave me a bigger incentive to try this place.
My best friend had to go to the Loma Spa (right across the street) and was hungry. I told her I wanted to try Rio Adobe Southwest Cafe and she agreed to come!
We shared the Tortilla Soup and a side of Rice & Beans. I am lovin' this place already! Why? The prices are pretty cheap/decent. Portions are big! The soup was enough for the both of us, comes with tortilla and had lots of chicken in it! Rice and Beans, how could you go wrong with that?! Also, it comes with Tortilla Chips and they have lots of salsas and other sauces to eat it with! I wanna come back and try their Tacos, Salads, AND Burritos...so pretty much everything on the menu!
Oh BTW, lady working at the register...uhm RUDE. -
Review from Roberto G.
Roseville, CA
9/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every time 'm in the cupertino area i stop here for food. i love the basic fajitas and if they have the green Chile stew, order it asap!!!
its the closest to a real New mexico style restaurant that you will get in the south Bay -
Review from Vivian A.
Been coming here as a regular and I always end up getting the same thing: Crab tacos. I don't even bother getting a 'plate' with the rice and beans as I'm trying to cut carbs but moreso, it lacks flavor unless the crab juice from the tacos drips on it. They now allow me to get the crab meat on their humongous tao salad which is awesome.
My friend and I ordered sangria and a margarita one afternoon after shopping and I swear that little margarita packs a punch.. she was giggling in the car going home (not to mention she had the 'asian tan = beet red from drinking').
Finally got to try the chocolate empanada a la mode. Me and my friend both wanted one and the guy behind the counter talked us into sharing one. The thing came and it was humongous. A mound of chocolate thrown in pastry dough, piping hot out the oven cut up into cake pieces with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream piled on top. The chocolate was a bit clumpy and the empanada edges were a bit thick.. but I guess it didn't matter once the chocolate oozed everywhere and got all over everything. What was originally a dish for two became a dish shared for three and the three of us STILL couldn't finish the thing, it was big! I thought the vanilla ice cream was a bit scrimpish in proportion to the humongous empanada but maybe good as if there was more ice cream, I probably coulda polished that damn thing off.Listed in: You again?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/31/2011
Met up with some old friends here for lunch. I had the Blue Corn Crab Taco plate (all rice, no beans… Read more »
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Review from Booker D.
San Jose, CA
1/23/2012
Four stars for the crab tacos, the fresh salsa and the chips. Not too many places where you can get crab tacos in the area. There are a variety of salsas to choose from. The salads are also pretty good and huge.
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Review from Seong P.
8/24/2011
I don't get out much for lunch, unless I make a lunch date. My friend suggested we meet here, and I was not disappointed in her choice, as usual. Thanks, V!
Like others have said, it's not authentic Mexican food in any way. You order at the counter and they bring the food out. They have a nice selection of salsas and the chips tasted freshly fried. I had the crab taco and the mahi mahi taco. Both were good but the crab was better. The rice and beans my plate came with were bland and remained untouched. Next time, I'll stick with just the tacos.
Oh, and that chocolate empanada thing is huge and delicious. One was enough for 3 people. -
Review from Matt S.
Sunnyvale, CA
12/9/2011
My first Yelp review! Woo hoo! My wife and I have been coming back to this wonder since we found it years ago. By far the best burrito in the Bay Area. I always go for the Adobe chicken burrito with no beans. Great flavor, very filling and great/friendly staff. A ton of salsa options to choose from and the chips are awesome. Will keep coming back until they tell me not to!
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Review from Joanna R.
7/11/2011
I admit, I didn't listen to my friend's recommendation to get the chicken quesadillas. My other friends got it and it looked good...
But based on what I got which was a burrito, I think overall it was just bland and had no real flavor. The reason I usually don't get burritos is because when they wrap it all the ingredients go to separate sides of it and aren't mixed together. The first half of my burrito was just rice basically and tortilla. You could imagine what that tasted like.. I mean, the rice is good, no big deal.
I could feel the cold of the guacamole on the bottom of the burrito though. Eventually I got full even before I got to it so I packed it togo. I didn't touch it when I got home.
Apparently the chicken quesadilla was really good, but a restaurant should be judged by their variety of food, no? So I am biased and my friends too. I shall go back someday and rewrite my review. Until then.... not really satisfied. -
Review from Ann S.
San Diego, CA
12/6/2011
This is an independent restaurant, and I rated it as such. The kids menu has many options. The kids loved the rice and beans
The restaurant was in good shape and clean. The restrooms are in need of renovation.
I had the mahi, shrimp and steak taco. The mahi and shrimp tacos were great. The steak taco was dry.
The salsa bar offered 8 types of salsa, and all were excellent. The chips were warm and plentiful. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Saratoga, CA
7/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
WOW!
Their salsa bar-friggin amazing!
Their burritos-friggin huge!
Pretty good, and it's pretty nice. It's not "blow me out with amazingness," but it's still pretty good. -
Review from Catherine L.
Palo Alto, CA
Got the Havasu salad because everyone raved about it and I really regretted it. Yes, it's mother f'ing huge. Like, size of my hips huge. Gigantic huge. Huge enough to make even my fat ass scared and see myself eating the leftovers for days. I asked for no chicken but the guy didn't hear me.. it was charred and not good. The onions were all in one spot.. I like it mixed just like the dressing. Dressing was too light and the greens were a little bitter which is weird because romaine is usually a little bit sweet. Huge dollop of whip cream and guacamole. I love guacamole but not theres :(.
The complimentary chips were good. Their salsa bar is plentiful but not flavorful. My friends shrimp burrito was whatever. The margarita he ordered was disgusting. I almost choked from the taste and he kept trying to drink it because he didn't want to waste. I took 15 bites of my salad and couldn't see myself eating anymore. I didn't even take it home.. and I hate wasting.
Blah. -
Review from alan r.
Cupertino, CA
Updated - 11/8/2011
Tonight I have a Havsu salad with chicek and no onions cause i love the friends I was with. good fresh meal. Had to back it up with carne Adovado and that is lucious
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/26/2011
Catherine I feel your comments but I find green chilli stew Adobado and other items well above their… Read more »
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Review from squid v.
Cupertino, CA
11/22/2011
used to be a fave, but after being out of area for couple years it seemed to have slipped.
Still OK, I guess.
Seemed like different and lower quality staff, not the old original guys.
Maybe just an off day.
I like that they don't grossly oversalt EVERYTHING. Notice some salt addicts say "bland". -
Review from Nathan W.
Alameda, CA
6/8/2011
I like this place...
I came in recently and had the shrimp burrito. I understand that there isn't anything remotely Southwestern about this, but it seemed to beckon to me from the overhead menu. The decor here is cute, and the menu does have some interesting items on it, mostly involving seafood. The owner, who manned the register during my visit, was very nice.
The star of the show here, in my opinion, is the salsa bar. It featured seven varieties with varying heat levels, along with a nice corn and black bean relish. The burrito itself was very good, although it only had five shrimp in it. It could've used some more. Definitely worth a repeat visit... -
Review from Heather T.
Cupertino, CA
7/8/2011
We love this place.
We have tried just about everything on the menu and never been unhappy. My favorite is ma hi burrito. The kids also love this place - especially the bean and cheese burritos. It gets a bit crowded around noon but come at 1 or 2 and you should have no problem finding a seat. -
Review from Simmi K.
Cupertino, CA
5/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
-The chips are always warm and fresh even when they are refilled
-The salsa bar is always full of yummy salsa- about 7 different types of salsa.
- Service is great
- I always get a chicken burrito mojado and share it with my sister because it's huge and overflowing with chicken and yumminess.
So, why only 4 stars instead of 5? Because the chicken is always bland! I wish they would put some kind of seasoning on it. :) Other than that everything is great. -
Review from Treena F.
San Jose, CA
10/7/2011
Just went here with some co-workers for lunch. It was actually really good. I had a chicken enchilada with green sauce. It was tasty and the beans were nice too. I also liked their pico de gallo salsa. The only thing I didnt like was how full I was when we left.
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Review from Bruce C.
San Jose, CA
3/24/2011
I came here tonight looking for a quick alternative to Chipotle, which is the burrito standard where I live. (I miss Dos Coyotes in Davis, but oh what to do...) Looking for a (perhaps) cheaper and better (by any sense) burrito experience, I decided to hit this place up tonight.
While I didn't have to wait very long, it was a little bit of a wait considering there was only 2 other people there before me. The burrito was only 'eh' -- Not that I"m much of a foodie, but it felt like there was just a bunch of "stuff" in it (all mushed together) and little character. I liked their chips though -- better than the salty ones at Chipotle.
Did I mention it was also a whole dollar more expensive than Chipotle, which is a lot considering its a...burrito. :x
Verdict: either try something else here next time, try some place else, or just stick with Chipotle. -
Review from Gretchen H.
Savannah, GA
4/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Let's be honest, this is just like Baja Fresh, just smaller and cozier. The food was yummy, I really enjoy a variety of toppings and salsas because let's face it; I'm a woman, I like options. ;p
Staff was also super friendly and helpful and best of all? Glass bottle cokes. OH YEAH! -
Review from Mika F.
San Jose, CA
5/31/2011
My friends took us here so we had no prior knowledge of the place.
Conclusion: This is an above the average place, at average budget.
I went here with my family (2 adult and 2 kids), and we ordered Mahi Mahi Burrito, Taco Adobada, quesadilla and Sopapillas.
Wonderful thing about this place is a salsa bar with a variety of salsa and fresh chips. Wait was a bit longer (and it was lunch time) than the average taqueria so it definitely helped.
I was impressed with the way they grill the fish with charcoal. The flavor was superb. The pork was on spicier side, so my husband had hard time with bunch of red chilis. I loved it though.
We all loved the sopapillas (fried dough you can dip in honey) was fun and yummy. A big plate of fried goodies all went into our tummy so quickly!
Strongly recommended! -
Review from Jang David K.
San Jose, CA
1/20/2011
never listen to high school students! after meeting some of my students at lynbrook high, I asked my students where we should go to eat that's good around here. Without hesitation, they yell out Rio.
i had tacos and chicken quesadilla. i remember:
huge portions, dry and smoky meat, lots of cheese.
not bad for chicken quesadilla but you can't really go wrong with chicken and cheese.
tacos...no flavor, dry and tasteless.
won't be coming back anytime soon. i can name so many good mexican joints around san jose. what did i learn as a high school worker? never listen to high school students! but every time, i want to give them another chance to redeem themselves.
i guess this is what parenting is all about: you know you shouldn't take your high school kids' advice but you give them the benefit of the doubt...hoping that this time, they will be right.... -
Review from Craig M.
Sunnyvale, CA
5/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Finally gave Rio Adobe a shot after recommendations from family members. Unfortunately, I'd have to say that I agree with quite a few reviewers that have commented on "flavorless" dishes.
I got the Carne Adobada Enchiladas. Now I LOVE Adobada...in fact, I cook them myself too. Super spicy New Mexican chilis give this traditional dish great heat and killer flavor. But this was a disappointment. Not very spicy at all and really poor flavor...I was bummed because I really did want to like it.
I'll probably give it one more shot and try something else and will update this review if necessary... -
Review from Asian G.
Saratoga, CA
12/28/2010
Decided to give this place a shot with a friend of mine. I ordered a vegetarian burrito, he ordered a carne asada burrito...they were, both, SO BLAND. Like another reviewer, I had to force myself to eat it. I had just wasted $6 on it & I was not happy. I tried to spice things up with some different salsas from their salsa bar but...they weren't very good.
Will NOT be returning. -
Review from Jimmy L.
San Jose, CA
3/25/2011
Came here with a work colleague for lunch. It's located in a little strip mall on busy DeAnza Blvd, so it's pretty visible and accessible.
I call places like this "quick food" - much better than fast food, yet quicker, and cheaper, than a sit-down restaurant. The ambience/decor reflected that: the restaurant was pleasantly light and airy - with quite a few tables and chairs, and an order counter.
It wasn't jam-packed, but had a fair amount of customers for lunch time. I went up to order, and the cashier was pretty standard. In other words, he didn't take that extra step to smile, or welcome me, yet was pleasant enough.
Since I usually like to try something I don't see anywhere else, I settled on the following -
Taco Adobada - Spicy Slow-Cooked Pork, Topped with Onions & Cilantro on a Soft Corn Tortilla.
It was good, actually, but I didn't get the WOW-factor, however, I tried my companion's blue-crab tacos, and they were soft, smooth, and great! I told myself that I would try a full order of those next time.
This would never be the place that I'd consciously go to, yet would come here without screaming and kicking if I needed to grab a bit to eat, or if I was with other people who wanted to come here. -
Review from Ashley M.
8/16/2011
solid place:
good salsa bar
quick service
free hot chips when you order something
amazing mahi mahi tacos!
gianormous big ass burritos
close to my work
outside seating
unlimited refills
decently priced! -
Review from Sunny A.
Cupertino, CA
12/16/2010
I am seriously addicted to this place. First off, let me say that the food is excellent. Why would anyone go to Chipotle with Rio Adobe? All of their ingredients are fresh and they put them together in a mouth watering masterpiece (I usually get a chicken burrito). They have 8 types of unlimited fresh salsas everyday for you to enjoy with your meal. Their bottled sodas are imported from Mexico so you can be assured there is real sugar in every one of those drinks instead of high fructose corn syrup, and they even serve beer. And oh, they don't charge you extra for guacamole--unlike some other places.
I also like the staff that works at Rio Adobe. They're very courteous and bring your meal out in a timely fashion. They serve you warmly toasted tortilla chips while you're waiting for your order to come out (I like how the staff pays attention to details like these).
I couldn't ask for more from Rio Adobe. Fan for life. -
Review from Matthew K.
Union City, CA
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ive been here twice - and so far I have not been dissapointed.
We had the burrito majado (on both occasions we were there) and well, it was delicious. However, the 2nd time we went, it seemed like they didnt put enough red sauce onto the buritto before baking it. It just seemed like a burrito with a little sauce on the side. -
Review from Andrew C.
La Jolla, CA
12/23/2010 6 Check-ins Here
Things I love:
Smoked pork tacos. These things are so addictive - they're always great and such a unique menu item, truly a rare gem.
Carne adobada. Love the spicy pork, tons of flavor and spice.
Sopapillas. Fluffy, sweet, and great with honey.
Also, the owner is a great guy and always welcoming and considerate. -
Review from Elaine A.
Brookdale, CA
8/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I have drove by this place so many times over the years and finally stopped. Loved it. The decor is so me. The food was excellent. Mahi tacos were to die for. Melt in ur mouth. My guy had a huge burrito. Definitely enough for 2 meals. I work down the street. A perfect lunch spot. I will be back. A little expensive though. But so Yummmm.
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Review from Mike C.
Cupertino, CA
8/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hit or miss for the most part. The fish items are GREAT, chicken is OK and steak is a SKIP. Whenever I get the steak quesadilla I question the freshness of the beef. Fortunately they sell bottled Mexican coke which washes down anything quite nicely.
