A love letter

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Dear Cafe Rio,
I love you. I love you. I love you.

Ours is a long distance relationship. It's one sided in that I always have to come to you. Sometimes the 2000 mile journey seems long, but then I walk through your double doors and you wrap me in your warm tortilla arms, and I remember how long its been, and I love you all the more.

Cafe Rio, I need to tell you what I love about you.

Your salads. I like them very much.
Your pork tacos. I like them, too.
Your indescribably awesome house dressing. I want to do the back stroke in a swimming pool size portion of your dressing.
Your friendly people; they smile as they ask me, "Black or pinto beans" and they load on the lettuce and the guac with a twinkle in their eyes; they always cheer when someone gets a free meal.
Your really fresh food, instead of food-that-has-sat-in-those-stainless-steel -vats-until-it's-a-little-crusty-but-you-still-try-to-pass-it-off-as-fresh.
That big bowl of peppermints that you have at the end of your cash register. I always eat one as I pick up my meal and it makes me a little happier.

Cafe Rio, how can I explain to the world that you are a microcosm of everything that I love about Utah: lack of bureauracy, fresh food, friendly faces, and family size EVERYTHING including prices?

Alas, I feel I cannot. But let the world know this: Cafe Rio, I love you.

And that is why I just ate one of your big honking salads in one sitting all by myself.

Yours forever,
NY Lizzy

Comments

Camille said…
funniest post ever. I'm totally cracking up right now. and CRAVING a salad from Cafe Rio since you first mentioned it on the family website. Seriously, it's almost worth coming to Utah just for the salad. I'm not kidding. You hear my preachin'. I know it.

dangit, no matter how much I write I can't get rid of the craving. WHERE IS THE JUSTICE???!!!
June 24, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Diane said…
Every Friday night, I am there. Just me and my veggie salad or tostado. (Ken comes too and I talk to him between bites sometimes.)
June 28, 2009 at 10:01 PM
jaimey said…
Only because we have a Cafe Rio in Arizona now can I read this and not flail in jealousy. I'm sounding dramatic, I know, but I know you know what I'm talking about. :)

I love the Cafe Rio, too. A whole lot.

Have you tried their soup, Liz? You need to if not.

How long are you in UT? If you need any other restaurant recommendations while you're there, I have some doozies . . . you will love them, I'm sure of it. :)

Hope your visit is/was lovely!
June 29, 2009 at 12:56 AM
Steffani said…
Love it, too! That is hilarious. I am glad you're having fun in Utah. We are back in town. Call me before you leave! Steffani
June 30, 2009 at 1:52 AM
Kristy said…
We have a love affair at this house with-as Taycie calls it-"Cafe RiCO"! I get the sweet pork burrito and eat on it for days it's so big! And I know how to make the sweet pork in the crock pot!! It's SO SO yummy!
June 30, 2009 at 11:09 AM
AD said…
Ah, seriously now. There's nothing to compare to Cafe Rio. And now it's coming to CA right down the road from me! Wooooohoooo!
July 18, 2009 at 8:40 PM
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