Cafe Rio Salad Menu offers fresh, customizable Mexican salads loved by fans nationwide. Enjoy made-from-scratch sweet pork barbacoa, cilantro lime rice, and creamy tomatillo ranch dressing.
With endless protein, topping, and dressing options, these hearty salads deliver bold flavors.
Explore copycat recipes, nutritional info, and tips to recreate Cafe Rio iconic salads at home or savor them at over 150 locations across the U.S.
What Makes Cafe Rio Salads Special?
Cafe Rio salads stand out because of their fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and the ability to customize each dish to suit individual tastes.
Unlike typical fast-food salads, Cafe Rio offerings are hearty, often resembling an “open burrito” with layers of rice, beans, protein, and toppings all served on a warm flour tortilla.
The salads are known for their creamy dressings, particularly the tomatillo ranch, which adds a tangy and slightly spicy kick.
A Fresh, Made-from-Scratch Approach
Cafe Rio prides itself on making everything from scratch daily. From the tortillas to the dressings, each component is prepared fresh, ensuring high quality and authentic Mexican flavors.
This commitment to freshness is a big reason why their salads are so popular. Customers can watch their meal being assembled in an open kitchen, adding to the appeal of a made-to-order experience.
Customization Options
One of the biggest draws of the Cafe Rio salad menu is the ability to personalize your salad.
You can choose your protein, beans, rice, toppings, and dressing, making it easy to create a meal that fits your preferences or dietary needs. Whether you’re a meat lover or vegetarian, there’s a salad combination for everyone.
Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Barbacoa
The Sweet Pork Barbacoa is Cafe Rio signature protein and the most popular choice for salads.
It’s slow-cooked for hours with a blend of cola, brown sugar, green chilies and enchilada sauce, resulting in tender, sweet and slightly spicy pork. This protein is so beloved that it’s often the focus of copycat recipes online.
Copycat Sweet Pork Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lbs pork shoulder or butt
- 1 can (12 oz) cola (Coke or Dr. Pepper)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for marinade)
- 1 can (10 oz) red enchilada sauce
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (for sauce)
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions:
- Marinate pork overnight in a slow cooker with cola and 1/4 cup brown sugar.
- Cook on high for 4 hours, then shred pork and discard liquid.
- Blend enchilada sauce, green chilies, 1/2 cup brown sugar, garlic salt, and chili powder until smooth.
- Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, add sauce, and cook on low for 30-60 minutes.
Grilled Steak
The Grilled Steak is another popular protein, marinated and grilled to perfection. It’s savory and slightly charred, pairing well with the creamy dressings. This option is great for those who prefer a less sweet protein.
Grilled Chicken
The Grilled Chicken is a leaner option, marinated with Mexican spices and grilled for a smoky flavor. It’s a versatile choice that complements the salad’s fresh ingredients.
Fire-Grilled Barbacoa Beef
The Barbacoa Beef is a slow-cooked, shredded beef option with bold, savory flavors. It’s less common in salads but still a delicious choice for beef lovers.
Vegetarian and Other Options
For vegetarians, Cafe Rio offers the option to skip the meat and load up on beans, rice, and extra veggies. Some locations may offer grilled vegetables or tofu as a protein substitute, though availability varies.
Toppings
Toppings are where the Cafe Rio salad really shines, allowing customers to add texture, flavor, and color. Standard toppings include:
- Pico de Gallo: A fresh mix of diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
- Guacamole: Creamy, made-from-scratch guacamole with a hint of lime.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds richness to the salad.
- Cheese: Options include shredded Mexican blend cheese or crumbled Cotija cheese for an authentic touch.
- Tortilla Strips: Crispy corn tortilla strips add crunch.
- Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves are generously sprinkled on top, especially for an authentic Cafe Rio experience.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime juice brightens the flavors.
Customers can also request extra toppings or skip any they don’t want, making the salad highly customizable.
How to Order a Cafe Rio Salad
Ordering a Cafe Rio salad is straightforward, thanks to the assembly-line setup. Here’s how it works:
- Choose Your Base: Start with a flour tortilla and romaine lettuce.
- Select Rice and Beans: Add cilantro lime rice and your choice of black, pinto, or refried beans.
- Pick a Protein: Choose sweet pork, grilled steak, grilled chicken, barbacoa beef or a vegetarian option.
- Add Toppings: Select from pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tortilla strips, cilantro and lime.
- Choose a Dressing: Opt for creamy tomatillo ranch or cilantro lime vinaigrette.
- Customize: Let the staff know if you want to skip or add extra of any ingredient.
The salad is served in a foil tin or on a plate, making it easy to mix all the ingredients together.
Cafe Rio Salad Nutritional Information
| Salad Type | Calories (kcal) | Carbohydrates (g) | Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Sodium (mg) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweet Pork Barbacoa Salad | 1172–1822 | 224 | 63 | 45 | 1000–1500 | |
| Grilled Chicken Salad | 250 (per cup, ~238g) | 9.5 | 8.3 | 31 | 600–800 | |
| Fire-Grilled Steak Salad | ~1200 | 130–150 | 50–60 | 35–40 | 1200–1600 | |
| Grilled Steak Salad (Costa Vida equivalent) | ~1533 | 100–120 | 60–70 | 30–35 | 1400–1800 | |
| Vegetarian Salad (No Meat, Black Beans) | ~700–900 | 90–110 | 30–40 | 20–25 | 800–1200 | Estimated |
Can I customize my Cafe Rio salad?
Yes, you can absolutely customize your Cafe Rio salad!
Cafe Rio is known for its build-your-own-style meals, and the salad is no exception. When you order a salad, you’re in control of nearly every ingredient.
FAQs – Cafe Rio Salad Menu
What normally comes on a Cafe Rio salad?
Cafe Rio Salad is a delicious full meal in a salad. Lettuce, sweet pork, cilantro lime rice, black beans and creamy tomatillo dressing all served over a tortilla.
What is the difference between Cafe Rio Tostada and salad?
What is the difference between Cafe Rio salad and tostada? This salad is made with a soft flour tortilla. At the same time, a tostada is a crunchy corn tortilla.
How many calories is a salad at Cafe Rio?
One cup of Cafe rio chicken salad is around 238 grams and contains approximately 250 calories, 31 grams of protein, 8.3 grams of fat, and 9.5 grams of carbohydrates. Cafe Rio Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish inspired by the fresh tastes of Mexican cuisine.
What are the protein options for Cafe Rio salads?
Protein choices include sweet pork barbacoa, fire-grilled chicken, shredded chicken, fire-grilled steak, spicy green chile pork, and fire-grilled salmon.
Is the Cafe Rio salad healthy?
It can be! Opting for grilled proteins, light dressings, and skipping extras like cheese and tortilla strips helps keep it nutritious and lower in calories.
How many calories are in a Cafe Rio salad?
Calories vary based on ingredients, but a fully loaded salad with dressing and tortilla can range from 600 to 900+ calories. Lighter options are available.
Does Cafe Rio offer vegetarian or vegan salads?
Yes. You can create a vegetarian salad by skipping the meat and adding extra veggies or beans. For vegan, avoid cheese and creamy dressings.
