Rio Cantina - North Augusta

Planning to dine out this weekend? Or in the mood for some tasty Mexican cuisine? You should definitely check out Rio. It's one of my absolute favorite places to eat with my husband. We affectionately refer to it as "our spot," and whenever he mentions it, I know he means Rio Cantina!

Not impressed. The food lacked flavor. I ordered a shrimp quesadilla but received only one shrimp taco instead. The guacamole was as watery as pea soup (see attached photo). On the bright side, the margarita was good.

I visited the restaurant for lunch and ordered a bowl salad with chicken, which came with a side of soup. The menu didn’t provide much detail, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The salad was decent; it included lettuce, tomatoes, and seasoned chicken. I guess I was hoping for more variety, perhaps some beans or avocado. The soup was traditional, and I really enjoyed it! For dessert, I tried the flan, which was just okay. It wasn’t as smooth as flan is supposed to be, and it could have used a bit more sweetness, likely due to its texture. It was served with whipped cream and a chocolate drizzle, but the flavor combination felt a bit disjointed. This dish could be improved with a fresh caramel sauce and some seasonal fruit while keeping costs in check. Considering the location and the price of $15, I was satisfied with the food and the overall experience. I plan to return to try more items from the menu.

The tortilla chips were stale, the guacamole was watery, the tea was old, and the food lacked flavor. I’m baffled by how this place has an average rating of 4/5; it’s worse than taco day at a school cafeteria. We would have been better off stopping at a gas station, as we’re paying for food we won't eat while hoping to find a restaurant that actually knows how to cook.

Situated next to a lovely baseball field, one would expect this restaurant to be quite good, but unfortunately, that was not the case here. We chose to dine there after a game and were met with immense disappointment. The food was served cold, and the staff seemed bewildered by our order. After nearly two hours of this frustrating experience, we decided to leave. Honestly, Taco Bell would definitely outperform this establishment. Save your time and money; don’t bother with this place unless you're prepared to settle for cold meals.