Cafe Rio
2547 Sudderth Dr, Ruidoso, NM, 88345
Cafe Rio Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ruidoso for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ruidoso for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Ruidoso for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2547 Sudderth Dr
Ruidoso, NM, 88345 - Phone (575) 257-7746
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 8:00pm
- Mon : 11:30 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : No
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Cyndi G.
I'm a big time fan, wishing we'd come by when we arrived, instead of the night before departure! Something to remember for next time It's a funky place, reminding me of Austin. Mr Potato Head collection, license plates on the ceiling, but it's clean. And the pizza guy spins the crust while you watch-- no secrets here. The service is not sugary but it's good and they possess a quick, if sarcastic wit. We had a house salad-- fresh, and the celery seed vinegarett is outstanding. Perfect pizza--crispy, sweet/spicy tomato sauce with quality mozzarella, plenty of topping. Try the Italian sausage, omg.
(4)S. M.
This was a very small restaurant (so prepare to wait during peak hours). They only accept cash, which in this day and age is totally awkward. Be warned. The food was absolutely delicious. The quality of the pizza dough, and it's preparation was top notch. The perfect amount of crispy and chewy in the same pizza. The topping choices were fantastic. I also had the Greek salad. Very fresh, with a nice amount of toppings. It was a summer treat, and a good value as well. Dessert was scratch made chocolate cake. It was very good. Not over-the-top delicious, but still a good value for the price. Service was prompt and friendly. We would definitely recommend and won't hesitate to go back on our future trips to downtown.
(4)Rick H.
Cafe Rio is awesome pizza and that is saying alot as we've had the best from NY & Chi Town. Don't go here thinking your going to be glitz and glamoured. Its a hole in the wall, cash only, very chill place that makes thin pizza that is damn good. We've gotten multiple pizza variations from the meat pizza to pepperoni etc. We usually stick w/the large meat pizza and a large greek salad for 2 of us and usually take 3-4 slices home. They also offer a generous military discount which is always a welcome for those that serve. There can be a long wait at times but going off peak lunch or dinner times you'll be fine, if during the busy times expect 60-90min. Or take your pizza to go and roll over to a park, we've done that many times also. There is no other pizza that comes close if your in the alamogordo/ruidoso area. Cash only, they do have an ATM on site.
(5)Brandon M.
Very good pizza. I've been going there for years. Unfortunately they made a pretty big boo boo this last weekend. My parents were in town and were enjoying everything except the loud rap music. My mom asked the waitress if they could change to something else and they simply told her no. I understand that you can't please everybody all the time but in a town whose tourists are about 80% older white people, I feel you could be a little more accommodating when someone asks nicely.
(3)Lauren P.
This place is amazing !!!! Hand tossed right in front of you!!! We had the "Kitchen sink", bbq, cheese and pepperoni pizzas. We ate it all! If your in the mood for pizza and near Ruidoso give this place a try!
(5)Aly K.
AH-mazing pizza!! One of the most consistently to die for business I've visited in Ruidoso for the past 10+ years. Super fresh toppings, killer crust & a friendly, laid back vibe. Whether you want eat in or to go, Rio is your ONLY Rui pizza option!!
(5)Mark P.
Terrible service waited two hours and they just didn't have that great of food, no AC and it took an hour to get a small garden salad. Not enough wait staff. We came in when the place was empty seriously they took our order first I think the one waitress for thirty people also made the salads. Don't go to cafe rio if your in a hurry. They took the salads and breadsticks due to the wait so maybe they will figure it out
(1)Sandy N.
This review is only for the pizza. My friend recommended I try the pizza here and omg it was one of the best pizzas I had in my life! I ordered slices to go, but I didn't know the slices were gonna be so big! It was sooooooo good, it reminded me of ny style pizza. This place is small, so expect a line. If you order to go they will call out your name, I did not hear mine since I was sitting outside. The cheese slice was $2 and the pepperoni slice was $3, but so worth it!
(5)Sara L.
Great pizza! The pizza here is hand made to order and reminds of the pizza I ate while in Italy - fresh thin crust, light sauce. Best pizza I've had in the U.S.!
(5)Jeff G.
This place is a true local dive and lives up to the hype. Small and eclectic. A cook and a waitress were all that were working when we went. Salads were fantastic, pizza was awesome. Try the garlic ball appetizer (make sure your significant other partakes as well). Super service and great prices make this a five star for sure. Enjoy!
(5)Erica S.
Cafe Rio gets busy on Saturday evenings. Every seat in the house was taken, and the restaurant was so packed that they didn't even have a menu for us to look off of for to-go orders. We came about an hour and a half til close, and ordered a connoisseur pizza, which has sausage, red onion, garlic, cheese & ricotta. I thought the red onions were going to be modestly distributed on the pizza,however there was A TON on the pizza. It was still delicious after I picked some of the red onions off. I also really enjoyed their side salad, which had lettuce, tomato, green bell peppers and a yummy house made vinaigrette with celery seed. My 1 star dock is for the lack of service upon arriving.
(4)Ronald W.
With its mosaic tiled signage, one doesn't expect the best pizza is Ruidoso. Upon stepping foot inside this definition of a dive some guests may grow weary, but do not run away or you'll miss out on some of the best food the Village has to offer! Yes there may be a wait and the staff isn't perfect, but keep in mind you're in a place blasting Irish punk music with walls adorned by everything from celebrity autographs to (presumably the owner's) childhood games. I recommend starting with the roasted bulbs of garlic (unless it's a first date). We ordered the Kitchen Sink and despite already being full from the garlic and Greek salad we ate the whole pizza. It was just that damn amazing! An added bonus is getting to watch them toss the pizza dough on the air. I will be returning every time I visit Ruidoso. (P.S. - if nothing I've said has convinced you, this place is Nadia G approved!)
(5)Jean S.
Excellent pizza! Best dive in town. Long wait but well worth it. Gonna b our go to place for pizza. Closest to NY style we can get this far west! i
(5)Pete S.
We have been coming to Ruidoso for 30+ years and have never come here before. Wow! Have we been missing some great pizza. We ordered a Italian sausage, black olive and fresh mushroom pizza. It was really good. The service was good, although they could have used another person. Store was clean. We WILL be back.
(4)Misty B.
Mahgretia Pizza is awesome. Watched them hand toss our crust and add fresh ingredients - even packaged up our left overs so they would fit on the motorcycle for lunch tomorrow. Fast, fresh, and delicious! Great customer service!
(5)Christina H.
Hand tossed and hands down the best pizza I have ever eaten! Visit Ruidoso often and never miss eating here!!!
(5)Amanda F.
We got there at 12 on a Friday afternoon and the line was out the door. It took about 30 minutes to get a seat but it is definitely worth the wait. We ordered the kale soup for an appetizer and it was delicious then ordered a jumbo pizza and it fed three adults. If you have the patience this place is worth the wait
(4)Gigi D.
Best pizza in town. Be aware that there will be a wait during peak hours. We often call it in and get it to go. Pizza crusts are hand tossed.and toppings are fresh; so delicious. Highly recommend the roasted garlic bulbs for appetizer
(5)Jessica A.
The best pizza I've had in a long time! Service was great! My kids loved watching them throw the pizza crust in the air! I took home the leftovers and can't wait to finish them!
(5)Danielle S.
We were downtown and decided to stop in after seeing the Yelp ratings. The smell brought me in the door. FABULOUS! My husband and I both had Italian sausage sandwiches, although all those around us had pizza and it looked great. It did take longer than we expected to get our food, but it seems to be a small place with a small kitchen plus lots of take out. The wait staff was very attentive during this time, refilling our drinks, which was nice. The sandwiches were very tasty and VERY hot. Spicy sausage which we love and a great tasting sauce. Great value for the money. Only issue was that it was warm inside but luckily it was a cool day, so we didn't mind. Now for the bad side. We stopped in again later in the week to grab a couple sausage sandwiches to go. BAD IDEA without calling ahead. It was about 5:30 and it took over an hour to get our sandwiches. That's a little ridiculous in my book. The food is a 5 but the wait is a 1. WAY too long to get your food. Call ahead and give yourself plenty of time. And don't got there starving. You'll pass out before you get your food.
(3)Renatta D.
Closest to Italy pizza! Was so delicious and quick. I ate here two days in a row and loved it both times!!
(5)Tony G.
Save your money go somewhere else. It was 90 degrees inside and there were more flies than people. Real let down after all of the great reviews. Food was a disappointment as well.
(2)Kevin M.
Best. Pizza. Ever. The pies are very large for the price. We live in a desert town about 2 hours away, but we sometime drive up to Ruidoso just to go to Cafe Rio. Down side? Cash only. There is a cash machine inside. Other down side: so busy you often have to wait 30 minutes or so.
(5)Ashlee M.
Best pizza ever!! But careful because JUMBO means JUMBO!! Great service. Was a bit small but that made it fun. Can stand at window and watch them make the pizza
(5)Jay D.
I went here on a Sunday afternoon at about 3 PM. All of the tables were full, so I asked if I could sit at the bar. The response was a luke warm 'Yeah OK'. The waitress was not the most friendly of people and was no where to be found when I was in need of a drink refill, so I had to resort to asking the bus boy instead and he obliged. I had the greek salad and 2 slices of pepperoni pizza. The salad was solid and was a good size. As for the pizza, lets just say that I've never seen 2 bigger slices in my life, as they were hanging off the side of the plate. Unfortunately they had way to much cheese which made the pizza really soggy and oily. I did what I could with napkins to absorb some of the grease, but was only able to finish about 1 1/2 pieces.
(3)Sheila E.
Very good pizza pies, and really good roasted garlic and bread!
(5)Joan B.
We love this place! I haven't had any issue with the staff - at all. They don't hang around and chat, but they are working at top speed to make sure everyone gets their food! Bring cash! Great prices and fantastic, mouth watering pizza. The ambiance is casual; the walls are filled with enough license plates and dollar bills to entertain anyone while they wait for their tasty food. Service is quick! From start to finish our lunch took 40 minutes!
(4)Magda S.
My husband and I decided to give this place a try being that he loves pizza and we are from New York City so we miss good pizza. Pros: We ordered a pie (regular size) with half basil and fresh garlic and brisket. The pizza was pretty good. Cons: It's cash only (but they do have an ATM inside). The inside did not seem very clean as you can see some water and roof damage. It is very apparent that the place needs some serious TLC. Lastly, the hostess, wasn't every helpful. As we came in, she just pointed to where we could sit. My thing is, why even have a hostess if she isn't really doing anything? Probably wouldn't be going back.
(3)Ryan R.
We found this little place when we were in town skiing in dec 2014. What a great little taste of Ruidoso. When you drive up and there is a line outside in 17 degree weather you know you're in for a treat. We had about a 20 minute wait to get seated but the staff was really friendly which made the cold wait a bit better. We had the spicy breadsticks then the rio pizza. The pizza is hand made right in front of you (kitchen is across the room). The crust is a thin hand tossed and so light and wonderful. The wait staff was great. The room was a bit small and crowded but they play it off really well. All in all I highly recommend this place as a must stop.
(5)Krista E.
We go to Ruidoso all the time but this was the first time we stopped in. The young guy flipping dough and making pizza obviously enjoys his job, but the young blonde waitress who works there was obviously less than thrilled when we needed a few more minutes to look over the menu, as we had never been there. She was borderline rude and looks like she can't stand her job. The pizza was fantastic, though, so if you can deal with a rude waitress, I highly recommend trying the pizza with green olives. Great music, too! It's interesting that with all the other reviews I've read, more than one person has mentioned how rude this waitress was, so maybe that should tell them something.
(4)Sa S.
Awesome pizza! Great little family run place. No frills and there is always a line. Plan on waiting for a table but it is worth it!
(4)Amanda D.
I went here on a Saturday around 1ish. I expected there to be long wait times, as other reviewers had suggested. As we arrived, we were greeted immediately and asked if we were ready to order for take-out. I ordered and was told it would be ready within 15 minutes. The service was really great, the employees were kind and quick to take my order and were very accommodating. The food was really good, although I prefer more cheese on my pizza than was given. Overall, the food was fresh, hot, and you can tell the ingredients are good quality. I will definitely go back again!
(4)Matt S.
You cant come to town and not grab a slice! Some of the best thin crust pizza I've ever had. People aren't lined up on the sidewalk for nothing. This place is legit!
(5)Shawn C.
Love dive joints that serve awesome food and this is one of those! You is try the garlic appetizer! Real good pizza as well! Staff is attentive and hard working!
(4)Dan B.
Margarita pizza is the best ever. If you go to Ruidoso and don't eat here, then you've missed out.
(5)Katy L.
We had the connoisseur and margarhita pizza, also the Greek meatball sandwich. The food was great and the service was awesome. We waited a long while, but it was definitely worth it.
(5)Aaron B.
Good pizza and great desserts. The day we visited there was a bit of a wait so we decided to eat a slice outside the restaurant. When I brought the pizza box inside to throw it away they told me I had to walk around to the back of the building to a dumpster to get rid of it. Sure the walk would have been good for me after eating the pizza, but wish they were a little more helpful.
(4)Daniel K.
I am a pizza connoisseur, and this was probably some of the best pizza that i have ever had! Im not kidding... We enjoyed a jumbo meat pizza, that fed 3-4 realitively hungry adults. The people at the table next to us had the calzone, and it looked delicious. This place is a health inspectors nightmare, but they manage to squeak by. Also the staff was kind of rude (probably college students home on summer break), but they made it up with fast service and excellent food. I will definitely return to this gem!!!
(5)Armando N.
Would be five stars but the snobby little girl running the register has a real bad attitude! We come here every time we come to town and never had issues before!!
(2)Chris S.
Food isn't the problem at this restaurant. We had a half basil half garlic brisket pizza and it was great! Where thus place looses it for me is 1, it's cash only. They do have an atm so I could get over that one but it looks like the ceiling is going to cave in at any moment. There are numerous signs of water damage including a brown stain on one of the flags mounted on the ceiling. Not such a great view to have while eating a pizza. Again the pizza though was great.
(3)Laurie L.
While on vacation in late December 2014, we walked by this place several times and there was ALWAYS a line of people waiting outside. We decided if it was cold and people still waited, this must be the place. We had kind of a larger group, but we still only waited about 20 minutes. The pizza was great and the house dressing they use on their salad was unique and delicious. Everything was worth the wait and we will absolutely go back next time we are in town.
(5)Brad W.
Excellent hand tossed pizza. We had to force ourselves to stop eating.We will be regulars when we come to Ruidoso.
(5)Emily C.
I don't know if I LOVE Cafe Rio. It's pizza in Ruidoso which is a limited market. I've had the Tuscan and the White. I prefer the White pizza. The place does not have much atmosphere and be warned: they do not take cards. The first time there the waitstaff was fine. The second, they were annoyed with us trying to fit extra people at the table and said no, we could absolutely not do that. We did not mind the tight squeeze so I don't know the issue. It's decent. I'll likely go again but I don't crave or adore it and I've had better pizza (but also far worse pizza).
(3)Glen F.
Great prices, and excellent pizza. Staff was very friendly, and the kids loved watching them hand toss the dough. We will definitely make this a regular stop on our annual trips to Ruidoso.
(5)ANA V.
Had the Tuscan pizza, excellent, especially because I am not a fan of red sauce. The chef salad was really good and for a great price. Of course my daughter lives the cheese pizza by the slice. The Garlic Bulb Is Simplistically superb. The wait can be long we ordered take out and got really lucky with parking. It is worth the hassle to get into.
(5)Aaron R.
Pizza was alright it came fast, the cheese was really good, but the dough and the sauce weren't very good, they were very inconsistent from pizza to pizza with the sauce. The service was very robotic, some waiters were helpful but had no personality, while the others were just not helpful. They didn't have Catalina dressing, ranch dressing, or bacon as a topping and all of those things are huge in the south, it was also extremely hot in the restaurant and was a typical hole in the wall place. So it was a disappointment for the most part.
(2)Frankie S.
Pizza was so good that we had no leftovers. We watched them toss the crust, add the toppings, and put it in the oven. Interesting decor, so we had something to look at while we were waiting.
(4)R S.
Review #2....still great food....DO NOT BELIEVE TAKE OUT TIME QUOTES.....they'll make it if and when you show up to get it.
(2)Ruby R.
We come here every time we come to town. On the weekends the wait can be brutal so plan ahead. The upside to waiting outside to be seated is the window that our kid can watch them making the pizza through. We came on a Monday and we're seated right away and kid got mad she couldn't watch them make it!
(5)Keith L.
Very small restaurant in downtown Ruidoso. We waited outside for 20 minutes for a table at 1:00 pm on Wednesday afternoon. We ordered their 18" pizza, half pepperoni, half brisket and an order of cheese sticks. Thin crust was tasty and the brisket was excellent. Cheese stick order had only 5 sticks. $27 for my family of 4 (including 3 drinks) was reasonable. Older gentleman (owner?) wasn't very friendly. Doesn't accept debit/credit cards, nearly unforgivable in this day and time.
(3)Mathew W.
Where to begin...we came here with a large group, around 20 people, and when the first few of us walked in the door and told them how many were coming the girl behind the counter looked at us like we just ran over her dog and were attempting to have lunch in celebration. They weren't very inviting at all. They made us stand outside while they reorganized the tables even after we told them we were ok with just sitting 4 to a table. Of course since they dont take card for some reason, a few of us decided to go down the street to the bar that had an ATM at its entrance and get some cash. When we made it back we sat down and started looking through the menu, there were several comments printed on the menu that just seemed unprofessional like "order comes with 4 item choices. Dont even think about asking for five." I could do without the sarcasm when I am trying to order my food. They also seemed to have an aversion to ranch dressing with a pack hanging above the register area that said "Want Ranch? Make your own for the low low price of $14.95. Buttermilk and Sour Cream not included." Whats the point in that? Trying to be funny? Is it that hard to make the customer happy that you have to ridicule the way they eat their food? The menu was a bit scatterbrained with several appetizers that didn't seem to fit into an Italian Pizza Place like a couple of greek items and Jambalaya? I ended up ordering the Calzone with Beef Brisket, Canadian Bacon, Peperoncini, and Red Onions. Once again...Beef Brisket? Sounded ok so I tried it. It came with Mozzarella and Ricotta cheese in it all stuffed into a nicely baked shell and it was quite delicious. Perfectly cooked, not really that greasy, and the ricotta was probably the best Ive tasted. I did ask for a bowl of marinara on the side...but that never made it to me. All In all I have to say that the food was excellent but the service was subpar. I would give more than 3 stars, but it didn't seem like they wanted us there. So Caveat emptor. Im not saying don't go. If you must have Pizza, it is quite good. But Im sure there are other places in town that would be more than happy to have your business.
(3)Amy K.
Great food, very fresh. Salad was excellent. But.....no wine and BYOB not allowed which left pizza lacking something without some vino.
(4)Sara M.
Pizza for pizza lovers and warm food for snow bunnies. We always eat here when we drive up from Roswell. It's worth the wait. The service is not the point. The pizza is the point. Look around. You're in a tiny, mountain town, pizza joint not a Gordon Ramsey restaurant. Focus on the food. It's fresh and delicious. Large slices. Great meatball sandwich, too.
(5)Nathan W.
Good pizza. Kind of grungy looking dining and kitchen area but food was good. Greek Salad was perfect with perfect amount of olive oil and feta. Service was great and guy, no name given, was very attentive and fast. Looked like he was the owner or manager maybe?
(4)J.D. R.
Best Pizza Around... Don't leave Ruidoso without hitting up Cafe Rio for a Pie!
(5)Sandra F.
Mediocre at best. Greasy pizza, service staff was unfriendly. Music was blaring in our ears the whole time. I would take a thin crust from Domino's then this pizza...don't think we will consider this place again when visiting! :(
(2)Jeff S.
Pizza was great service is terrible
(4)Timothy H.
Cafe Rio? A mexican food place? No, it's a pizza joint! And a pretty good one, too. You can walk right past this place without knowing it...it is small, only about 5-6 tables inside. It is on the main street going through Ruidoso, pretty much right in the middle, yet I walked past it while I was looking for it, and i aint stoopid. The wait staff is heavily tattooed and likely high. They enjoy acting goofy and playing pranks on the customers, which makes for a fun experience. For example, there was a large fake spider on top of the lighting fixture at our table. An employee near the register was using fishing line attached to the spider to lower it near the table. Little things like that make it memorable. The greek salad was wierd but not bad. The pizza was fantastic. Very flavorful and generous toppings. Tip: go on non-rush hours, or you could wait a long time!
(4)Keith R.
HAVE AGAIN: the kale soup was good, a bit spicy for some, but very nice. NOT HAVE AGAIN: the margherita pizza was mostly cheese, no tomato sauce and very little basil and tomatoes. One star for this. The Greek Salad was ok, but not worth having again. However, the service was friendly and polite.
(2)Kendall E.
This place is delicious! There is often a line out the door, but it is worth the wait. The staff is very friendly.
(5)Rudy B.
Cafe Rio is one of those places where the food is always good but you have to swallow and put up with their horrible customer service. The worse part is that they don't care because there is only so many restaurants to pick from so they always have business. All I know is if you're a bitter person or hate dealing with people you have no business waiting tables. Food is OK for Ruidoso!! :-) Smile Cafe Rio!!!
(3)Eric R.
The only reason it is not a full five stars is the service. Even with bad service you still need to eat there!! The pizza is fantastic!
(4)Hector J.
It's unfortunate I didn't have the pleasure of dining in the promising hole in the wall pizza joint. We were eager to try NM's most raved pizza joint. Our experience began with a 20 minute wait which was more than fine. ( seating is very limited-- we had a group of 4) However, it was the way an employee instructed us to wait out side. That too would have more than committable but he was forceful in telling us as if we weren't customers or simply didn't appreciate our business as they have so many customers in and out. Perhaps I'm looking way into what may have been a stressful work hour for the business but as a tourist I appreciate the little things.
(2)Becky B.
Best pizza! We ate there twice over the five days we were in Ruidoso! Wish they were open later than 8 p.m.
(5)Devin G.
Great place for pizza. We tried the sausage ricotta onion pizza and loved it. Better than average service too. Jumbo fed 2 adults and 2 kids with extra to take home.
(5)Barb L.
This place has excellent pizza! I'd go back in a heartbeat for that. The two problems that I had, and that reduced the rating to four was that they were out of certain items that would be easy to get from a local store, and some of the employees were not so friendly. One gal was so unfriendly and aloof that she made us feel quite unwelcome. Another odd thing - our server didn't eat pizza and couldn't make recommendations for it.
(4)Karen W.
I've always wanted to stop in here here, but never got a chance until now. The delicious smell of fresh baked pizza draws you in when you are passing by. We went during mid day on a Sunday so it was pretty dead, but nice there wasn't a crowd to compete with. Contrary to other reviews, I felt the service was good. We just ordered pepperoni by the slice since we weren't in the mood for an entire pizza. The slices were huge; larger than your average pizza by the slice. Crust was thin and light and the edge of the crust was crispy and delicious. I'm giving this rating 4 stars but would probably say 3.5 would be more accurate because it was quite greasy, but i chalk that up to it being pepperoni. Overall i thought it was very tasty. I will definitely be coming back to try more of their menu.
(4)Natalie K.
We love Cafe Rio. In fact, we go there every time we are at the cabin in Ruidoso. My personal favorite is the roasted garlic appetizer and the greek salad to start. The pizza is as good as it gets in New Mexico. Wood fired and fantastic! You will see the lines forming outside and for good reason. It is great!
(4)Rob J.
FRESH INGREDIENTS! Freshly baked, great stuff, will return for certain!
(4)Shawn K.
Food excellent! We stumbled upon it while walking around looking for a spot to eat in Ruidoso. It was loud and eclectic in style, my type of place. The music was blaring and patrons were eating and singing along, fun crowd for sure. Pizza was delicious, and I am picky. The cheese and sauce worked well together. The spicy bread sticks were just that, very spicy. My kids and I would have liked them, but way too spicy, my husband loved them and had to finish them off. Waiter was interesting, cracking jokes and all, but not very prompt and gave off a weird vibe. But all in all, if in Ruidoso again, I would stop by here and get some yummy pizza! Cash and check only, no credit cards accepted.
(4)Jerromie J.
Great pizza. Can't think of a better one. The hand-tossed crust makes it. Prepare for a wait during ski season (25-30) for a five top. Small seating area, great environment. Don't even think about asking for Ranch or you will be kicked out. Dec. 2010
(5)Donna L.
Called in an order to-go and was told it'd be ready in 20 minutes; got there and the pizza guy hadn't even made the calzone yet. I had to wait 30 minutes! The food was tolerable but not worth the wait.
(2)Jeff W.
Great food. Bad service. Pretty much what many of the other reviews have stated. If I could break down the individual components of the experience I would give the pizza (Tuscan) 4-stars and the service 2-stars. Rude owner. The employees clearly had no problem making us wait until I had to flag someone down to take my order. There was a waiting list, so we decided to place our order to go. They told me it would take 20 minutes and it only took about 15, so that was good. But my elderly mother was with me and needed to sit down. Not only did they not offer any suggestions, they berated her for not signing up for a table!! The pie itself was very tasty! It was good enough to somewhat make-up for the rude treatment. IF I decide to come back here it will only be to carry-out. And I won't make the mistake of pre-tipping. That's IF I return....
(3)BobbY M.
It's hard not to shop downtown Ruidoso and not be lured in by the smell of fresh pizza pies. The kids love watching the guys toss the dough in the air. Best thing is that it tastes better than it smells.
(4)Rex S.
The Portuguese Kale soup was really great, and the Pizza was even better. Very hip atmosphere with progressive rock blaring. Service was nice and fairly fast.
(4)Aimee A.
Kale Soup really good.. Greek Salad Super good, good cheese, dressing and kalamata olives, I'd hold the green bell peppers next time. Pizza: White pizza and Meat Pizza, both very good, thin crust..best relaxed ski town atmosphere in Ruidoso. Will come again and bring friends. To make this places perfect...some alcohol, credit card machine and a bit more heat when the door is wide open in the cold.
(4)Shelly R.
Came to Ruidoso for the 1st time with the whole fam. Had heard about the pizza here from people over 100 miles away! Everyone said that it is the best pizza around. It definitely did not disappoint! There were 9 of us. We started with 2 large Greek salads. Really great! Lots of feta cheese. We ordered 1 regular "white" pizza which had mozzarella, roasted garlic, parmesan & olive oil. All I can say about that one is WOW! We also got a large half all meat & half sausage, red onion & ricotta. Excellent! Nice ambiance & friendly service. Our waitress even saved us some $ by suggesting the half & half pizza instead of 2 regulars. Great experience & all of us left full (without leftovers) for $60 including 20% tip!
(5)Jenna N.
When I moved to New Mexico I expected to be eating tamales and drinking Dos Equis every night. I did not expect to find the best pizza I've ever had in my life here. South Philly Italians, please visit Rio Cafe and prepare to be schooled on how to make fresh, delicious pizza. A good Friday: 1. Drive around some winding mountain roads with good people (avoid long driveways protected by Australian Shepherds.. they will force you to back down a long road with their herding skills), 2. Get a shot of Jack at WPS, 3. Grab a couple of slices from Cafe Rio and 4. Find a nice spot outside and enjoy the fresh air.
(5)Christina M.
Food was excellent but the staff was completely rude. My sisters and I stopped for dinner and first they yelled at us for trying to move another chair to our table and then were very rude when we asked for a side! Staff made it a very unenjoyable time despite the food being very good, so we won't be going back.
(3)Liz B.
This is the best pizza in the world, hands down the bomb. I was raised by an Italian from NY who could bust out some italian food better than any restaurant and he would have loved this! NOTHING you order would be bad. I LOVE the pepperoni, sausage and xtra artichoke pizza! THE BOMB. ok...that being said, i'd have given it 5 stars, but the SERVICE IS RUDE AS HELL. The place needs to be scrubbed, its dusty as hell. The employees even seem "dirty" the girl who last waited on us had tattoos covering her everywhere and tons of piercings (just seemed so unprofessional) and was very rude. the owner is very sarcastic and doesnt seem to appreciate his customers. I've eaten here for 15 years or more so for Ruidoso that is an icon of a restaurant as they tend to come and go year to year, but the owner (who actually bought it from his friend) should respect his customers A LOT more than he does. He should greet them, make them feel welcomed, buy some new chairs and scrub his employees and the restaurant down with bleach. SMILE and refill my drinks instead of making me get up and requesting refills. Oh and watch your toddlers. The front door is a swinging door, not an open and closed kind of door. More like a salloon door. Anyway the side walk is only about 3 feet until the very very very busy main drag. Our grandson (i'm a young granny btw) who was only 2 at the time BOLTED from the dinner table OUT the door in 2.2 seconds. Thankfully my 14 yr old son was quicker and literally saved his life. Not really the owners fault, as its got to be open air for the fact Ruidoso isnt known for airconditioning, just a warning to HOLD onto the toddlers..they aren't bright when it comes to near death experiences! I'm so glad my grandson FELL on his face the second he hit the door or it very likely could have been tragic. I took him to the bathroom, paddled him and the sat there hugging him bawling for 10 minutes. I cried the rest of the day! I wouldnt even let him play near the creek at the park for the very fear he'd fall (the creek was 2 inches deep). I was traumatized lol! Oh and don't expect delivery or late night pizza..they close relatively early and sometimes just for fun they will close all day. BUT DO EAT THE PIZZA ITS GREAT!
(4)Zoe T.
This place could easily be given 5 stars because the pizza truly is so good, but the service is absolutely awful. Our waitress and another employee had such bad attitudes that it made what could have been a fun and pleasant evening out into one where we wished we had just gotten the pizza to go. Not only that but we ordered an appetizer and when they brought our meal and we never received the appetizer I told the waitress we didn't really need/want it anymore - she didn't respond, and simply turned and walked off. Disappointing experience overall. And now after reading other reviews posted before ours I simply can't believe we had the same crappy waitress experience and the management hasn't addressed the issue. Wish we had read the reviews before selecting this place to dine!
(2)adrian c.
I'm gonna be honest... I rally don't know how to rate them. The pizzas are excellent, but the service from a young waitress was pretty bad. She was mean and rude when we asked for drinks and the moment we paid. Something really negative about this place is when they make customers wait outside when waiting to be seated. It doesn't matter to them if it's freezing outside and you have infants with you. If there's a next time I might just order takeout.
(3)Green R.
The pizza was great. Also got the kale soup to sample with a group of people. Enjoyed everything we ate. Something you might not know is that if you can't get a table because of the long wait, then you can order your food to-go and go to Quarters Saloon & Grill next door. They are cool enough to allow you to bring your food into their place and eat, which was great because it was pretty hot inside Cafe Rio and the wait was 40 minutes. I would definitely go back to both places and do it all over again
(4)Pat D.
Okay pizza. No beer. Cash only. If it wasn't isolated it would fail.
(2)Vanessa D.
Best pizza place! All ingredients are fresh and made there. You can watch the cooks hand tossing the pizza. Loved the place, loved the food. I will go back!
(5)Josh M.
If you're looking for a good slice, this is probably the best in doso. This cafe holds a good atmosphere, and delivers and taste. Anyone who is in search of a "good slice," I would readily recommend Cafe Rio.
(4)Paul N.
Tuscan pizza rocks....real hand tossed Jersey-style.....great house Greek salad so big you can split a small.....downed with local brewed root beer......good service......FANTASTIC!-- If you don't like this, you don't like quality, local haunts....
(5)Karen S.
Everything here is freshly made and full of flavor. The kale soup is so tasty with just enough spice to wake up your mouth. The pizza is made with fresh ingredients and is simply the best I have ever had. Friendly, prompt servers and eclectic decor make this a fun place to eat! I will be recommending this place to my friends!
(5)Chip F.
The crowd waiting outside is explaination enough. The ambiance and staff are full of attitude, always a plus!
(5)Shannon B.
This restaurant does not accept plastic of any kind. The night we arrived, there was live music. To me, it's a bit small for such entertainment. The people we met there visit pretty frequently. They said the service is rather hit and miss. We experienced one of those off nights as our order was lost. We waited over an hour for our food, but it was good when we got it. I'm not sure if we'll give it another chance or not.
(3)joe l.
Small place on main street, don't blink or you will miss it and that would be ashame. The thin pizza is great, hand tossed pizza is the way to go "Yum". Only thing that needs improving is employee handwashing after going out front for frequent smoke breaks.
(3)Dylan C.
i love ruidoso, almost as much as i love Paris, clearly the two couldnt be more different but each time i am in either location i just feel like a better freer me...ruidoso is growing and it makes a little sad as its mountainy charm is being affected but i still love this place so much, the serenity, the mountains, the inspiration...the casino? hahahaa...really i do love it here and cafe rio really does have great pizza, my folks suggested it and were right on the money, check it out when your in town, stay out of the casino hahaha
(4)Wendy T.
I will never understand how a secret like this can be kept with the way technology is these days, but somehow it is. Cafe Rio is the best pizza parlor I've ever been to in my life, and it is tucked away in chill little Ruidoso, NM, right in between two tourist shops. Lots of people who go to Ruidoso don't even know about it. And there's nothing about it that screams 'pizza' as you're driving by on the street. From the name and the design of the sign you might even be fooled into thinking it's just another New Mexican food restaurant, and keep on driving. But let me tell you.... turn on Center going UP the hill, park in the lot there, trek down the hill, take a right., go put your name on the list, and then sit outside on the bus bench and wait for however long it takes. No worries, you can thank me later. I lived in Italy for three months while I was in college, and I have been challenged to find a place that has authentic tasting Italian food, much less pizza that hasn't been Americanized. Who would have ever thought this food would be tucked away in the New Mexico mountains, unheard of by most? The pizza is the best I've had since the streets of Firenze. They have a great variety of pizzas and other Mediterranean foods that you won't find anywhere else. Freshest toppings, meats you won't see everywhere, and authentic thin crusts, that are crispy and yummy and taste just right. Usually my man and I order the biggest pizza you can get and make it half vegetarian and half all meat (an image that succinctly portrays our relationship, strangely enough), then we stuff ourselves silly and take leftovers back to the condo for the next two or three meals. However, you also MUST save room for dessert (if that's possible). They have yummy ice cream, floats and malts, cheesecake like you've never tasted stateside, and cookies. EVERYTHING here is made from scratch, and you can tell. And, as if that isn't enough, the place is owned and run by the coolest people around - very down to earth cats that like to chill, and love life. They are there because they love to cook, love to be around people, and love the best of the best of New Mexico, one of the most beautiful places on earth. You gotta have respect for that, regardless of their offerings. Like I said, you can thank me later.
(5)Mike C.
great pizza in a unique small location. order to go if you can't get in.
(5)Maris M.
Yummy as always. We ordered one of the baked garlic bulbs which they forgot to bring which is a mixed blessing anyway. We go to Cafe Rio on every trip to Ruidoso
(5)Bj S.
Food is excellent. Pizza is amazing and the house salad with the celery vinaigrette is amazing.
(5)Megan S.
Excellent food, fun atmosphere, and a nice break from the tourist-haven that is the rest of Ruidoso. If you're in town, you have to stop by!
(5)S. F.
Dirty little hole in the wall, decent za, good service, they DO NOT take credit cards. Zas are hand tossed, good tasting crust, a little light on the sauce and to much cheese. Not the best Ive had but good. If your in the need, they are worth checking out. The Greek salad was tasty. Real kalamata olives and plenty of feta. No credit cards though. Did I take a step back to the 80s?
(3)Staci R.
The pizza is to die for! I can't bring myself to order anything else because it is soooo good.
(4)