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Chipotle vs Costa Vida vs Cafe Rio

Best of these

  • Chipotle

  • Costa Vida

  • Cafe Rio

Results are only viewable after voting.
LogGrad98 said:
Cafe Rio and Costa Vida are literally the same thing. They both originated in Utah and Cafe Rio actually sued Costa Vida for copying their concept entirely. That said I think Cafe Rio barely gets the edge here. None of this is my favorite food by any stretch. I'd rather just go to Rancheritos or Betos. Chipotle is literally hot vomit. No thanks.
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Hahahaha you naive California leftist. You had no idea what you were missing out on! Welcome to Utah, home of the chain food restaurant! We will have you addicted to faceless characteristic-less chicken and Mexican American food in gigantic portions and endless drive thrus in no time! Remember, it’s not about taste or quality, it’s about quantity!

Come join me In Lehi/sarstoga springs and I’ll provide you with at least 20 options for the same chicken, Mexican American, and burger sludge. Not a single original locally owned store among them! It’ll be “my pleasure!”

Oh and sugary soda drink place too. Hope you’re thirsty!
 
I used to love both Cafe Rio and Barbacoa when I lived in SLC - left in 2011. Qdoba is pretty good, and probably my favorite up here for that type of Mexican food - altho Baja Fresh is pretty good.

In my opinion, there's 5 different types of Mexican restaurants.

There's your crappy fast food barely call it Mexican, like Taco Bell or Del Taco or Taco Time. They have their place, but they're certainly not GOOD.
There's taqueria style, which are almost never chain restaurants, except for maybe Rubios? Maybe a place has 2 or 3 locations. They're always super greasy and super delicious.
There's the "fresh Mex" style, which is what we're discussing here. They at least FEEL healthier than taquerias, even if they're not.
There's basic sit-down Mexican places. These are fairly interchangeable - some of them are better than others, but they all serve the basics and fill you up really well.
And then there's super authentic, like Red Iguana. These are pretty rare, but the absolute best.
 
I prefer Costa Vida. I don't eat out much but my daughter used to love it so I've been there quite a bit. Now she's more bougie and goes for healthy hipster places. About 15 years ago I would have said Cafe Rio but now Cafe Rio blows.
 
Saint Cy of JFC said:
Ive never had any of these
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Man, restaurants have gotten sooo expensive. I'm ok with spending on vehicles, travel, etc., but my thrifty ways from when I was younger just can't jibe with eating out unless it's really inexpensive. My mind just goes straight to what I could do with the savings of going to the grocery store and my homemade food is usually better for way less than all but the cheapest restuarants. And having worked in a restaurant I don't like to think about how gross most restaurants are.
 
Cafe rio. Sweet pork burrito with red sauce inside and out. It’s a great combo.

Chipotle is a buddy’s favorite, but it’s never really wowed me.

I’m allergic to cow milk so I pretty much can’t get anything from Costa Vida.
 
Sardines said:
If we're not talking about this type of fast food La Casa Del Tamal is the best sit down Mexican restaurant in the state.
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where da *** is that?
I would give it a try
 
str8line said:
Man, restaurants have gotten sooo expensive. I'm ok with spending on vehicles, travel, etc., but my thrifty ways from when I was younger just can't jibe with eating out unless it's really inexpensive. My mind just goes straight to what I could do with the savings of going to the grocery store and my homemade food is usually better for way less than all but the cheapest restuarants. And having worked in a restaurant I don't like to think about how gross most restaurants are.
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My favorite place right now due to price is Arbys. And Rumbis. Rumbis we always have buy one get one free and Arbys always has some kind of deal (4 for 10 dollars roast beefs, 2 for 7 dollar chicken sandwiches etc)
Hard to find cheap food.
Oh and a sit down mexican place in jordan landing called Smothered Burrito (formerly La Luna) is good and cheap.
 
It’s easy to find better Mexican food, if that’s what you call these 3. Plenty of good taco food trucks and it’s surprising how good the food is from some of them.

I like to find a good place and get the beans and rice to go. Cheap, filling, and it’s hard for a place to mess it up.

Lots of places like Red Taco popping up.

Limited to just these 3 options though, I’ve had to try hard to find a combination of flavors I really like. I’ve only found that one option from Cafe Rio so far.
 
fishonjazz said:
where da *** is that?
I would give it a try
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2843 S 5600 W #140, West Valley City, UT 84120

Utah's Best Tamales | Www.lacasadeltamalutah.com | Utah, United States

La Casa Del Tamal is an Authenic Mexican Restaurant making Utah's Best homemade Tamales, Tacos de Birria con Consome, and traditional Mexican dishes. La Casa Del Tamal is located in West Valley City, Utah. www.lacasadeltamalutah.com
www.lacasadeltamalutah.com www.lacasadeltamalutah.com

They stated with a booth in the indoor swap meet building on 35th and just east of Redwood Rd before moving to their permanent location where they have absolutely taken off. Very busy during prime meal hours. Their green sauce (salsa verde) is the best sauce I've ever tasted. The chicken enchiladas with salsa verde sounds basic but is so delicious. Their parilladas uses the salsa verde as well. I get a little extra on the side. I haven't had anything there that wasn't at least good.

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A little off topic but my 3 favorite food items to buy from a quick restaurant right now are
1. The gaetano sandwich (basically a spicy Philly) from gaetanos
2. The spicy pastrami grinder from Nielsons frozen custard
3. The chicken cordon bleu from Arby's. So good every single time.
 
fishonjazz said:
A little off topic but my 3 favorite food items to buy from a quick restaurant right now are
1. The gaetano sandwich (basically a spicy Philly) from gaetanos
2. The spicy pastrami grinder from Nielsons frozen custard
3. The chicken cordon bleu from Arby's. So good every single time.
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100% agree with #1. Gaetano's is awesome all around. I like their location in South Salt Lake better than the one that I think is in Murray. They used to be Grinders 13 with that iconic sign off I-15 since like the 80's or whatever.

Haven't tried #2.

Arby's isn't really my jam.
 
str8line said:
Man, restaurants have gotten sooo expensive. I'm ok with spending on vehicles, travel, etc., but my thrifty ways from when I was younger just can't jibe with eating out unless it's really inexpensive. My mind just goes straight to what I could do with the savings of going to the grocery store and my homemade food is usually better for way less than all but the cheapest restuarants. And having worked in a restaurant I don't like to think about how gross most restaurants are.
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Eating out is never cheap, normally sets you back dinner, drinks, maybe tickets to a show.
 
fishonjazz said:
My favorite place right now due to price is Arbys. And Rumbis. Rumbis we always have buy one get one free and Arbys always has some kind of deal (4 for 10 dollars roast beefs, 2 for 7 dollar chicken sandwiches etc)
Hard to find cheap food.
Oh and a sit down mexican place in jordan landing called Smothered Burrito (formerly La Luna) is good and cheap.
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Arby’s is great for that. Burger King is another they always have some type of deal and always send coupons in the mail. Like two whopper jr’s two fries and two drinks for $7.99.
 
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