Cafe Diablo
599 W Main St, Torrey, UT, 84775
Cafe Diablo Menu
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Address :
599 W Main St
Torrey, UT, 84775 - Phone (435) 425-3070
- Website https://www.cafediablo.net
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Cupcake's M.
FAAAAAAAABUUUUUULOOOOOUS!!!!! Went here with family. We all had an idea of what the food would be and BOY WERE WE WRONG!! We were ecstatic with everything from the service to the food. We all even tried something new...Rattlesnake croquettes. They were delicious, I tell you! Lightly breaded and perfectly cooked. I'd eat it again! My cousin ordered the ribs, her partner had the crab and shrimp stack, My Mom had the Wild Mushroom dish, my Father had Lamb Shank and I had the Chili rubbed beef tenderloin. The presentation of food was spectacular and unexpected. We were all in heaven with our dishes and would GLADLY dine there again.
(5)Sandy D.
We were in Torrey 2 years ago and went to this restaurant and it was so different from other Southwestern places we've been too. When we were in Torrey this past April we heard it had changed hands and we're hoping it was as good as last time. It was. I had the Trout and it was excellent. The Citrus Salad was also outstanding. So glad we went back. Congratulations to the new owners.
(5)Paula P.
We loved it. We're camping and decided to have dinner here on our last night in Torrey. It was excellent. My ribs were truly fall off the bone. The brussel sprouts were done perfectly as was the sweet potato mash. My husband loved his chile colorado. They even had a gluten free dessert. We are taking 3 boxes home. We'll be back next time we're here!
(5)Andrea V.
Just had lunch here today while passing through Torrey. We had been recommended this place by a waiter at another restaurant we are at in Sundance. I had the steak sandwich and my friend had the enchiladas. The food here was very fresh, unlike most restaurants you go to these days. That's the first thing we noticed about our meals. I do think mine could have had a little more flavor though. The steak was cooked without any spices. The potatoes didn't have much rosemary either. It was still a good meal though. For dessert we had the carrot cake and some of their homemade chai ice cream. Yumz!
(4)Meadow W.
My margarita was drinkable. And the staff was great. Food, almost across the board, was horrible. Went with a party of six and only one had an edible meal. Ribs were served with a ridiculously sweet sauce that ruined everything. Watermelon pork was equally sweet and inedible. Chicken was okay, but not worth ordering again. Never again. Overpriced, servings way too big.
(2)Lisa B.
A pretty disappointing experience. Let's start with the atmosphere. I'm not a stickler for decor, but this place looks like a roadside diner -- formica tables, no ambiance at all -- which is fine when you're paying $10 an entree, not $25 and up. The place was so chilly that everyone kept their coats on. The food was either meh or gross. I ordered the gazpacho for an appetizer. Now I know gazpacho. Gazpacho is a friend of mine. And you, Cafe Diablo, serve a poor imitation of it. It came in a fancy ice bowl but tasted fermented (and yes, I told the server, who said it was supposed to taste that way). Hubby's salad was fine. Our entrees arrived before our appetizers were halfway done (which is not supposed to happen, right?). The ribs I ordered were advertised as covered in a chipotle-pomegranate glaze, with mashed sweet potatoes. Yummy, right? Wrong. There was no discernable spice in the glaze, and the potatoes were white and gummy. Oh, and rather than being served the normal way, they were rolled up in an ostentatious standing-rib-roast style that made them hard to eat. I only had a few. Husband had the steak, which was just ok, and the zucchini fritter was soggy. They push desserts pretty hard (bringing out the tray for you to view them), and since we weren't exactly full from our meals, we indulged in some cheesecake, which was inexplicably served with ice cream (in Chicago we don't serve cheesecake with ice cream. Whipped cream maybe, but whatever.) So go for drinks, go for dessert, bring a warm sweater if it's chilly, but don't order the food.
(2)Roger M.
We are camping and hiking in the grand Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. We've been hiking our tails off so today we are treating ourselves to a dinner at Café Diablo in Torrey, 12 miles from our Fruita campground. Started with complimentary crostini with house made strawberry jam and cream cheese. Nice indoor and outdoor mountain views. Our waitress, Ally, is friendly, good at chit-chat with us and on top of the menu, which covers soups, salads, empanadas, seafood, steak, chicken, lamb, rattlesnake and more. We are having delicious free range Texas rattlesnake cakes which were D-boned this afternoon (see pic)---rattlers here are protected. Rattler cakes are corn breaded with peppers and very tasty served with aioli and pesto dips. Try it---great! For the main affaire we are having pomegranate glazed pork ribs with garlic mashed potatoes (subed out the sweet mashed) and brussel sprouts. Meat tender and falls off the bone. Awesome presentation and slightly spicy and we like that. Excellent all the way around.
(4)Denise M.
Server was fantastic, good sense of humor, helpful recommendations. Started with the rattlesnake cakes, came with 2 sauces, both outstanding. Husband had the Chile Colorado Beef Tenderloin; the meat had good flavor and the roasted tomato was attractively presented, with a sausage stuffing. I had the Pomegranate & Chipotle Glazed Ribs and loved it! Again, great plating as it was stood up like a crown; the meat was so tender the rub bones slipped right out. The Brussels sprouts were very good too. Way too much food, I could only eat half and had no need for leftovers.
(5)Meg L.
Great dinner! The hellfire shrimp was awesome-- bananas, jalapeños, and shrimp is a surprisingly delicious combo. Diablo salad was great. Excellent margaritas!
(5)Jim B.
Very good and such a serendipitous finding. All meal observed were presented with flare. Good Morman beer on tap. Worth a come back.
(4)Tracy E.
Happened upon this place after visiting Capitol reef. When I first saw the lunch menu I was a bit concerned. I decided to try the marmalade blt. Oh my goodness! Absolutely the best blt ever! My husband had the enchilada and loved the unique blend of flavors. Great service, great food!
(5)Allen P.
Impressive!! Way out in little Torrey Utah at what I thought was a small town Mexican restaurant BUT someone obviously knows how to run a restaurant and how to cook!!!! Presentation, taste, service were all excellent and the crowd out in the parking lot was no lie!! I'm impressed!!!! We went back our second night here and honestly it was even more impressive!!! This time we sat outside under the heaters to enjoy the spectacular views. We had rattlesnake cakes, pumpkin seed trout, and pumpkin cheesecake and truthfully if heaven has a taste this was it!!!! The service was prompt and pleasant accentuating this delightful dinner. I would absolutely recommend the trip to Cafe Diablo!!!!
(5)Lexi S.
Meh is the description for my experience. The setting is lovely and dining al fresco by the garden is a treat. However, I'll second the comments on the expensive price tag for mediocre food. I had the stuffed poblano and the flavors just weren't meshing for me. The table also had salmon, empanadas, and a spicy fried appetizer. The dish with all the fried bits was okay...I think the chicken on that plate was very strange. Not a pleasant texture. The salmon was fine, too fishy for me. By far the best dish were the sweet potato empanadas. I will say our server was fantastic. Her name was Lyndsi I believe. The wine list was, surprisingly, priced very well. Overall, not a do-over for the price to flavor ratio.
(3)Siro S.
It was awful. The table was tiny, It was really expensive and I was nearly hungry when I got out
(1)Tina H.
The citrus salad is to die for. My husband and I both loved it. The ribs were really good too. Very friendly service.
(4)Colleen W.
We heard many good things about Café Diablo and in Southwest food, so we stopped in to have lunch on our way back home to Salt Lake City. Our server brought us our drinks immediately, and helped us make informed decisions with our menu questions. Everything came out exactly the way we had ordered.The watermelon feta and arugula salad was light and refreshing.. The blackened shrimp tacos where spicy and quite tasty, and the steak salad with roasted corn, and green chili salad dressing and Cumin cheddar was delicious! I will definitely stop here again when I pass through Torrey.
(4)Ann L.
Visited Torrey for two days and this place really treated me great! Eating at Cafe Diablo is a pure pleasure. The service is exceptional and the food was even better. I arrived in Torrey, UT after 9 pm, called and went to several places which were all closed (even they had neon open sign and later hours on yelp) but was told the Cafe was open. When I arrived very hungry from hiking, I was told the last seating was finished but the hostess was able to get the kitchen to make the watermelon and arugula salad (perfectly balanced), wild mushroom and spinach salad (brilliantly composed, fun to eat too) and the shrimp and crab stack (refreshing and delicious). I was so amazed at how they were so accommodating as the other places which were still open but wouldn't serve me and sent me the Cafe. It was so good I came back for dinner the next day and had the hellfire shrimp (plump, nice heat and cooked perfectly) and the pumpkin seed trout (moist and crunchy) I read the whole areas restaurant menus which was offered by the Days Inn where I stayed ( a very nice place too!) and Cafe Diablo's was the most inventive and interesting. This place is truly tasty and cares for their customer's feelings ! The outdoor patio seating very nice has a wonderful view and pleasant bird singing. If you are ever in Torrey, UT to visit Capitol Reef National Park for some amazing scenery and hikes, I would highly recommend Cafe Diablo for great food and service.
(5)Mabel W.
Excellent, fresh & gourmet! Wouldn't miss the chance to eat here when I'm in Torrey. Expect out of the ordinary menu choices, healthy & fresh, high quality ingredients and friendly service in the most beautiful setting. The Diablo salad is so good & allows room for the best desserts on earth. I go for the food, but can't leave without dessert. Had the lemon tart today....heavenly! This is a very hip place, not expected in this neck of the woods, and wish I could eat here one more time before I leave the area. I can't wait for my next trip!
(5)Douglas F.
This place is over rated. The gespatzo soup came served on a bowl of ice and you had to scrape the soup from the ice. In early May when it is in the low fifties one would like some hot soup. My brother immediately noticed the lack of ambiance. With the prices they charged it should have had a better look.
(2)Fred H.
Cafe Diablo was a perfect outdoor dining experience for this senior couple. Service was cheerful and quick. Food and wine were to our liking. 5 star rating is well deserved.
(5)Rachel S.
Great food. Not a huge lunch menu but the shrimp tacos were delicious and the skirt steak quesadilla. The desserts are made in house and were so good. The lemon tart was a family favorite!
(5)Mark L.
This place was a gem. The food was very good the people were incredibly nice.it was exactly what I wanted after a long day of hiking. It's a mellow place to grab a delicious bite to eat and has a great staff.
(5)Tim C.
In an area where it's hard to find a place to eat that isn't a diner, burger joint, or pizza place, Cafe Diablo offered a nice change of pace. However, I think this place tried a little too hard without having the right systems in place. My wife and I came here on our way from Bryce Canyon National Park up to Salt Lake City. We stopped for lunch, and were greeted by friendly staff who kind of asked us if we wanted to sit outside, but then told us we probably didn't want to sit outside because of how cold it was. Ok. There were probably 3 or 4 other groups there, and probably the same number of wait staff. A little overstaffed, maybe? I ordered the Torta de Carne al Cabon, which was basically a flank steak sandwich with tomatoes and green onions. It came with a side of what seemed to be a kind of parsley-based spread. I'm not sure if it was an attempt at fusion cuisine, but it honestly tasted more Asian than it did Tex-Mex / American. It didn't taste bad, I guess I just wasn't expecting it. I ordered it with a side of fries. The fries were actually under-cooked potato wedges with some oil, rosemary, and a tiny clump of cheese on it - the flavor was definitely lacking in intensity. Starting to show signs of trying to hard but not being able to execute. My wife ordered the Chicken Barbacoa Salad with a side of Gazpacho. The salad had an interesting presentation. Cucumbers were sliced length-wise and formed the four walls that enclosed her salad. If only it tasted as good as it looked. And the gazpacho? I'm no expert when it comes to gazpachos, but I didn't favor this one - it was way too acidic. The dessert menu came in the form of a tray full of their desserts for us to choose from. We passed on it. The interior was nice and new, everything was tastefully decorated. Our waitress was nice and helpful, but she seemed new and unsure of herself. The whole experience was just an interesting one. The food was so-so, the prices were a little on the high side, but it was understandable since they were trying to sell a more upscale product. I just felt like they didn't have the systems in place to implement the upscale product. It felt like a recently-renovated restaurant from the TV show "Restaurant Impossible" and they were still working out some kinks in the food, service, etc. They tried really hard, though. A for effort.
(3)Jackie S.
I loved the space, we ate outside and the food was great. I would recommend the pumpkin ravioli. The Diablo salad was wonderful also. Would not expect a place like this in a small town. The wait staff was very attentive. We would stop there again when in the area.
(5)Jyoji D.
Sadly underwhelming. I had the pecan chicken and it was overcooked and lacking flavor... You know when you get real juicy, brined chicken. It tastes so good. Well, this sadly wasn't it... The wild mushroom salad was good. And the wait staff was very pleasant.
(3)Katie H.
we used to plan our Utah trips around eating at the old CafeDiablo. The new one certainly isn't bad...just OK. We felt the food was not what it once was, certainly not enough to go out of our way for again. Our waitress was very sweet and service was prompt.
(3)Patrick T.
Tender & tasty torta de carne al carbon with a fresh & zesty southwestern pesto. The refreshing kale salad is outstanding as well! THE place to come to after visiting the Capitol Reef National Park IMHO!
(5)Char S.
We ate at Café Diablo our first night in Torrey. We sat outside under the heat lamps and enjoyed looking at the garden in front of the restaurant and peeking around the corner at the sunset. We tried the trout encrusted with pumpkin seeds, flank steak and the stuffed veal. All were beautiful to look at and delicious. I had the veal and it was served with the bone which added to the visual appeal. The 3 of us split a fruit tart dessert served with lemon sorbet. I should mention that our server Lyndsay was helpful in describing the food and served everything with a beautiful smile! On our second night, we went back to Café Diablo since we did not want to try anywhere else! We wanted another round of delicious dinners. We had the pork, chicken and ahi. Again all beautifully served. The previous night's server Lyndsay had become the solo violin entertainer for the dinner music. This extra bonus of beautiful classical, folk and other instrumental music enhanced our dinner experience. This restaurant serves up a wonderful meal experience (people, food and ambiance). Go try it!
(5)Gary W.
Started with the Citrus Salad - a great, refreshing starter salad filled with wedges of orange and grapefruit. The rack of lamb was OK - I wasn't crazy about the sauce and it kind of overpowered the lamb itself. Save room for the home-made ice creams for dessert. I enjoyed a dish of the "Drunk Monkey" ice cream ....... vanilla ice cream in a bourbon sauce and bits of chocolate ..... yummm This is a very casual, local place - the service is great. And there is seating both indoors and in a large patio in front of the restaurant. Make reservations - it's probably the best place in town!
(4)The P.
I didn't get to experience the food, because I almost had a heart attack when I saw the prices! $39 for an entree? Only outside seating with bugs in the evening cause you're too lazy and you closed the inside early? There was nothing that was standard about this "mexican food" place. Chili colorado with some wacked out recipe? Go to la cueva restaurante mexican. I ate their and their average prices are 1/3 of this place. You can even get sopes as low as $7 and the food IS AUTHENTIC MEXICAN. Not this nouveau flare. It's bad enough that the town only has 2-3 restaurants because it's so small, but now you're going to gouge tourists?
(2)Elaine D.
Excellent. Would definitely come again. All made from scratch with fresh ingredients. Server very friendly and efficient
(5)Rachel S.
Their food was so so yummy so we tried to have them cater our wedding. So the guy we contacted was so difficult to work with. He didn't want to work with any of our ideas for food or presentation. He said he wanted to work with us but we called him and he will not return our calls. We will not be using them.
(3)Susan F.
This was quite possibly the worst meal I've ever had. I can't remember ever sending back a dish at a restaurant, but I sent back 2 dishes here, and probably should have sent back a third. The complementary hummus was served with freezer-burnt pita bread that was HARD, but had a gummy surface like it had been defrosted in plastic with the condensate dripping on it. Pretty gross. For my main meal, I ordered the golden gazpacho and black bean empanadas. I had to send both back. The gazpacho was not pureed into a soup, but rather a bunch of diced vegetables, more akin to a salsa. that may have been okay, but I really wasn't able to eat it at all. It was served in a hollowed-out block of ice, which meant that the "gazpacho" was frozen to the block of ice and I couldn't chip it out to eat it. The empanadas were also frozen. They were served atop some spinach and "dessert" onions, which were still frozen when served - they still had ice crystals in them! We ordered the special artichoke appetizer, which was only okay. It was described as being a grilled artichoke, topped with olive oil, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, and served with a garlic aoli. I guess that was technically true. The plate had slices of prosciutto and cold fresh mozzarella, then the grilled artichoke was sitting in the middle of the plate. We were expecting the three components to be combined into a cohesive dish. My husband ordered the skirt steak, which he said tasted okay, but it was very small for the price. The steak was only about 1/2 inch thick, probably 4 oz at most. The house-made ice creams were delicious. The service was excellent. All of the dishes were served with really bizarre garnishes, too, like they thought they could hide the poor preparation with pretty flowers on your plate. For $120 for 2 people for dinner, we expect better skill in the kitchen.
(1)Bob M.
Torrey, Utah is one of my favorite retreats. Over the past 20 years or so, I've passed Cafe Diablo and usually stay almost across the street at the Capitol Reef Inn. Last Friday I made reservations with "Gerri," the manager who infected me with her enthusiasm and assured me that I was making the "right choice." Upon arriving, my guest and I were seated in the back "so we would not be disturbed by a large party seated in the center." Our waiter was Mike and I could not ask for a more personable, caring staff to help. Frequently during our repast, Gerri came by to inquire about our meals. Impeccable comes to mind. The flank steak was "as tender as a maiden's kiss." The tower of vegetables and mashed potatoes were to relish and savor slowly. My only concern was deciding on the amount of a tip. I truly believe that I've only witnessed one other time that the service was on par with Cafe Diablo. Now I have two reasons to return to Torrey, Capitol Reef, and Cafe Diablo.
(5)David B.
Innovative and delicious! You won't find typical small-town Utah fare here. The chef works up new twists on old favorites and original dishes you've never seen before! If you enjoy fresh ingredients, novel food, exotic garnishes, and southwestern cooking, you're in for a treat! My wife and I enjoyed the enchiladas, rattlesnake cakes, but especially the sweet potato empanadas! (Okay, my wife took 15 minutes to get up the courage to try the rattlesnake cakes, but then she loved them.) Another example of creativity was the potato salad made with sauteed potatoes and a corn and cilantro relish. Don't miss the locally-made, show-churned ice cream on some wonderful, daily-made desserts!
(4)Lynda R.
We ate here of a Friday evening. Amazingly cheap but excellent wine list. We both had the riesling chicken which came with an amazing apricot and tomatillo chutney. Would help highly recommend!
(5)Vicki O.
This restaurant really has potential but the service was very uneven. Some tables were treated like royalty and others like dirt on the bottom of a shoe. We, unfortunately, were the dirt. We didn't order any alcohol and maybe that was a factor. One table received a complimentary hummus and pita appetizer but we were ignored. Some tables also were visited by the sous-chef and manager ..... but, unfortunately, we were ignored again. The food just missed the mark (i.e., Hell Fire Shrimp was well spiced but luke warm, the Poblano Pepper was surprisingly lacking in flavor, heat and zest. The flank steak was not cooked as ordered and was on the tough side. The maitre d' was welcoming and friendly but our waitress was non-existent. Found another restaurant at the other end of town that had a more limited menu, however, their execution of the food was much better.
(3)Stephen M.
Cafe Diablo is riding on its reputation. There is a new owner and there have been 3 chefs in the past 3 years. I've been eating there for about 5 years and both the meals I had this year were disappointing. The first one was overdone veal. Way overdone. Dry and tasteless. The second one was tuna. The fish was cooked as I asked, but the piece of fish was second rate, full of connective tissue. And most of the wait staff is very inexperienced. My party was asked at least 12 times: "Is everything OK?" "Is everything still OK." "Do you need anything?" This is not solicitous; it's annoying. And despite what others have said, the desserts are just gross: sort of Olive Garden meets Betty Crocker. All of this would be sort of OK if this were a diner with diner prices, but if you intend to have a full meal with a drink beforehand, a first course, main course, dessert and wine be prepared to pay in excess of $100 per person. For this price the food and service should be outstanding and not just barely acceptable, especially in a town that gets so many sophisticated European tourists. The atmosphere is nice and features a collection of art from local artists (all surprisingly good).
(2)Tony K.
Not a good experience, the service was slow and the food was terrible. Second time this year and we took friends we where very embarrassed. I would not recommend them to others.
(1)Joshlosh G.
Ravioli was not cooked. Crusted sirloin was a poor choice. Potatoes were served cold. Deserts were excellent. Way over priced.
(1)Carol V.
Food was excellent and beautifully presented. Chef Kate is amazing! The staff is outstanding and very helpful. This is truly a diamond found in a very small town.
(5)Amelia M.
We had the best meal of our vacation and for many, one of the best meals of our life! This is a do-not-miss restaurant. Service was amazing (thanks Mel!). We enjoyed the food so much we asked to talk to the Chef who came out and talked with us (thanks Katie!). We had a variety of dishes - all were good. Only wish it were closer to home so we could come back.
(5)Grasshopper G.
I had a lovely meal of fish tacos and it was fresher than most of the food I ate in Utah (had a mini cabbage salad)--especially in more rural areas. I was impressed. The price was about $13 and I got filled up. Polite wait staff and nice surroundings. Great views. Never busy (as far as I saw...) The restaurant inside uses a swamp cooler I think and it was a bit muggy inside, but otherwise...nice and comfortable eating area with Wifi.
(4)Michael C.
My wife and I stayed in the area over 4th of July weekend for 2 nights. We went to the Rim Rock Inn the first night (fabulous) and Cafe Diablo on the second, based on the recommedation of the place we stayed at. I ordered ribs after seeing the presentation of them coming out of the kitchen. They were supposed to have some sort of molasses glaze on them. I didn't care for the flavor of the glaze and scraped most of it off and ate 6 or 7 of the ribs (stripped down). I went back to our room after dinner, woke up at 2am and, well, lets just say that I wasn't able to hold them down. I got really sick on the pork. I am sure it was the pork as I hadn't eaten anything else all day. When the spell was over, thank you, it was over. The whole dining experience was very odd, the staff was a bit overzealous and I really walked away thinking I got ripped off (prior to getting sick). I would not recommend spending your money here. I don't like to bash any restaurant but I thought the owner should know what happened on this occasion. Hopefully, he or she gets this message.
(1)Scott D.
The pastry chef is the best. They do it right.
(4)John R.
Overall good food with some unusual items on the menu. We were a large party with just as many kids as adults and the hit of the dinner was getting them to try the rattlesnake cakes without telling them what they were. What does rattlesnake taste like? Well, it might taste like chicken but in this case it certainly tastes like bread as there must be very little in these cakes to begin with.
(3)Don B.
This is a great restaurant in a place that doesn't "need" to be great, i.e. a spot where many people come thru only once. The service was friendly and just right. The glazed ribs were excellent and plentiful, and not like the usual BBQ sauce ones (which I love anyway). The trout was also great, with pumpkin seeds instead of almonds, which was more than just throwing items together just to be unique. But the deserts, which my wife doesn't usually encourage me to have, even piqued her interest. We split the passionfruit crepe many-layered pie, and it was authentically tangy and tasty. The homemade chunky? crazy? monkey was just right. Not cheap, but we got more than we paid for! Just returned tonight. Wild mushroom spinach salad: excellent. Purple sage pork (special): excellent. Marinated loin of Utah Lamb: incredibly excellent. Carrot cake: excellent. Server (Emily again): what's another word for excellent?
(5)jazz g.
Great ambience and very kid friendly. We enjoyed a lovely night here with good food and great margaritas! our kids played mini soccer between their meals and the desert was truly out if this world! no go on the salmon appetizer but the salads were great!! Recommend sitting outside so you can see the beautiful red hills!
(4)Paul P.
Wow! A shot in the dark. We were looking for another place (turns out it no longer exists) we didn't read any reviews except to notice that Cafe Diablo has a full bar. I guess I was expecting some type of Mexican food fare. Not so although there are some southwest accents. The place has quaint street appeal. Walk in to a kind diner style dining room but with great art. Menu was definitely more upscale than a diner. The traditional margaritas were excellent. Food came out a bit fast so we stayed with the margaritas instead of wine for dinner. I had the flank steak cut in medallions, my wife stayed simple with a mushroom spinach salad. Presentation was excellent. My wife raved about the salad. Felt like we were back in Portland. I noticed there was no salt and pepper on the table and that is because the food was prepared perfectly. Perfect portions. We shared the Double Diablo Chocolate cake with a home made banana nut ice cream. Wow again! We will be back and tell anyone we know. These folks got it right. Love the cowboy duster carving by Silvia Davis at the door. It caught everyone's eye as they left.
(5)Kris B.
This unassuming restaurant in Torrey really opened our eyes. The food was just amazing! Great service, and nice outdoor seating. This will be our primary restaurant next time we visit Capitol Reef!
(5)Phillip Y.
Okay, we came in here late and was hungry. Judging from the parking lot this looked busy. Actually, the food was pretty good. Service was decent but waitress were over-worked with the crowd. Our little platter of vegetables marinated in sauce was a pleasant surprise over the typically chips and dips while you wait for your food. I had a lettuce wrap and a bit disappointed with the veggie selection. I had one in the Cheesecake Factory which is a million times better. Also, chicken was a bit lacking. Presentation in general was nice and small proportion which was a breath of fresh air. My mom had a mushroom salad which was stacked in cylinder of a tortilla with some chips. My dad probably had the best which was the steak. I accidentally left my fav UConn cap and the nice waitress stored it at the front desk. We picked it up that same night:)
(4)Eric G.
Not many choices in Torrey, UT but you don't need many when you have this fine restaurant. Just a quaint, place, fantastic food and very nice people. If you like a dessert Port wine you will be in for a treat.....I'll leave it at that!
(4)Bam W.
WAS one of my favorite places in Utah !! I used to look forward to eating here when I visit Torrey which is twice a summer. The place has taken a turn for the worse. Great Margarita Menu GONE - Great Coffee Menu GONE - Wow Factor GONE - Attention to Detail GONE - Great Decor/Pictures Bright fun atmosphere GONE. Whatever New Chef/Owner combo they have now is a total wreck. My pork tenderloin was dry and the end pieces were like jerky because it was cooked a day or two prior and heated back up - dessert was horrible - Presentation went way downhill. BUMMER !! The average age was about 50 on Sunday and they were playing some crap r&b rap - REALLY ?
(1)Tom G.
Very very good food. Would not expect this level of cuisine in a small town like Torrey. Totally impressed!!!
(5)Seth G.
Oh my Goodness ! So frkn overrated. Wow, huge disappointment! The duck is fried, Doesn't say on the menu. And was abt 50% batter. Rattlesnake cakes were awful. The salad wasn't great. The steak was ok, but if u ask for medium rare, expect it to be RARE! Do NOT go out of your way to go there.
(1)Jeff K.
I have wanted to eat at Cafe Diablo for several years after reading rave reviews in the Salt Lake Tribune, and other publications. While passing through Torrey on a recent Wednesday night, I finally had the chance. What a disappointment. The menu promises some interesting and exotic combinations: Firecrackers (which turned out to be stuffed peppers of increasing intensity), Barco de shrimp, and a vegetarian Mayan tamale. Unfortunately, everything I had was virtually tasteless (save for the excellent cilantro pesto that came with the rattlesnake cakes). The rattlesnake cakes were something like rubbery vegi burgers. My Mayan tamale was a watery combination of cheese and tasteless vegetables. The duck appetizer was OK, but again not very flavorful. I dined with 3 other adults and 4 kids. All the adults had the same comments about their entrees--devoid of flavor. The kids, being kids, had no comments at all, but ate very little of their food--probably comment enough. The decor and ambience of the place are very nice. The serving staff was friendly and helpful. However, they couldn't make up for the very lackluster food. I had hoped for much more given other positive reviews on this site, and in print. I won't be going back, and would recommend to others to try another restaurant in town. All I can say is I hope we were there on an off night.
(1)Gregg M.
This is the best place for dinner in the Capitol Reef region. The interior is so so, but the outside eating is sublime. Their menu is quite unique with various different fresh southwestern / Mexican flavors presented beautifully and with lots of color. Their deserts are inspiring and I highly recommend the Bloody Margarita. Ask for Magon as your server. She was everything a waitress should be...attentive, fun, knowledgable and very spunky. This is a gem in an area with very few options. Some people will tell you to take the 45 minute drive to eat a Hell's Backbone, but this place is superior.
(4)Russ A.
If you're into over priced food with slow service and a strange and atmosphere than this place is for you! I'm actually confused as to why some people wrote such good reviews about this place and I'm even more confused as to how or why this place is considered Southwestern cuisine. Duck, lamb, pork tenderloin... really? Do yourself a favor and move onto the next restaurant in Torrey - maybe somewhere like The Broken Spur where you can get a great steak WITH dessert for cheaper than you can get a so-so meal at Cafe Diablo.
(2)O-Shen C.
Yes Capitol Reef is the most amazing Park in Utah and fittingly Cafe Diablo is one of the most amazing restaurants! One of 3 top restaurants in the country on my list! wonderful charm, food is perfect, service is amazing! A true gem of the Southwest!
(5)Rod S.
Very good rustic southwest inspired food stacked up, molded and presented like 1990's haute cuisine. That's all part of the charm of Cafe Diablo. There is nothing fancy about the facility. It has the same low ceilings, diner tables and kitsch as most restaurants filling the tourist areas around the National Parks elsewhere in the State. The difference is that the food here is really good. I got the urge to have a drive. We drove the scenic route down highway 89 from Orem for dinner and went back the fast route. Walking in you can't help but notice the garden. Even this late in the season, you know what it is and that it's going to bode well. We started with a Herradura and Cointreau Margarita. They delivered it in a double rocks glass with a little ice and a salted rim. It was perfect. Considering the limits Utah puts on making a drink, this makes a drink with the full amount of alcohol allowed by law that still takes like a drink. Most places add a bunch of juice to fill a larger glass and it no longer tastes like a real Margarita. At $8 for this level of ingredients is a very fair deal. They have a large list of inexpensive wines matched to the food. We brought our own the our cellar and paid the corkage, but I was impressed with the list. The complimentary plate of grilled and pickled vegetables was excellent. The food we had was nicely seasoned and well cooked. I like the al dente vegetables and squash. The food is more Southwest inspired than actually Southwest. The New Mexico type of name can throw you off a bit. There is not a lot of peppers and heat in the food. Get over that and it's very good food. I'm sure I cut a little slack considering the location, but I still think I'd really like it if it was in Salt Lake City.
(4)Linda G.
Disappointing. The pork tenderloins were dry and a bit tough. I am guessing they were held on a steam table and then thrown on a plate with the sauce. Flavors bland. I would like them to put as much effort into fresh prep as they do into presentation. The place packed with clients and rushing staff. Hectic. (The staff was, however, attentive.) Wish I had gone out for a burger!
(2)Arch R.
Terrific service, terrific food. We'll be staying in Torrey the next time we're passing through and we already know where we'll get dinner. Thumbs up!
(5)BarskyGallery H.
You've got to be kidding me with these great reviews. Ate dinner here last night with my wife and two kids. Margaritas were good, but that's about it. We only ordered entrees, and they took way too long to come out, about 45 minutes. My 5yo son's chicken fingers came out last. Why, because "they weren't quite done yet and need another 30 seconds". Our server was very pleasant, but definitely needs to retire. My wife's duck came out cold and rubbery (we sent it back to be reheated, took 15 minutes to come back). My ribs were dry, like they were prepared several days ago and then reheated. Sauce was not my favorite. Veggies that came with both entrees were good. We skipped dessert for obvious reasons. We enjoy great food, and when we pay $30 an entree, we expect better than this. I suspect they don't get much repeat business.
(1)Sheila R.
It is now a 21/2 star place to eat at a five star price. Ate there last week -heard after that it had been sold. The sauce was microwaved and burnt around the edges -spices added in not slowly cooked in . Avoid until they get it together .
(2)Rosanna S.
Wow!!! What a gem in the middle of what feels like nowhere. We are so happy we didn't stop in "where the hell is Hanksville" thanks to reading yelp reviews. We arrived to a cute southwestern bistro, with a local artist showcased on the walls. The menu says, Innovative Southwestern and it definitely stands to it's theme. I loved everything my boyfriend and I ordered. Under 1st course small plates I started with the Empanads, so happy they were veggie. The plating on all our dishes was very beautiful, creative details with very fresh ingredients. Empanadas= corn flour pillows w/ cotija cheese & sweet potatoes served w/ cilantro black bean sauce and desrt onions (deep fried onions). We also started w/ the Coconut Calamari and Marmalade Salad, Yum!!! Super tasty calamari. I love fresh mango and kiwi, so I loved this mix. Our last starter, was Barco de Camarones; masa corn cup filled w/ shrimp, sofrito, and pipian sauce w/ fresh local organic watercress..that comes from the local farm down the way. I could taste the freshness, uniqueness, and creativity in every bite. Our entree was the Mayan Tamale, eggplant, toasted poblano peppers, roasted tomatoes, masa and casera cheese served in a banana leaf. Served ontop of brandied corn custard that melts in your mouth. We were stuffed, but when every dish made you moan we knew we Had to order dessert. They serve amazing fresh baked pastries, all so exotic, w/ their own homemeade icecream. Best vanilla bean Ever, and tasty drunken monkey was also super tasty. Definitely impressed and inspired by the chef whom graduated Culinary Institute! Diane our server was very sweet and knowledgeable. Barbara also very kind, even pointed out her hops growing over the entrance to restaurant,and offered my boyfriend Hops. We were on our way home from GABF in CO.
(5)Greengas R.
Had the painted salmon, coconut calamari and kids flank steak and all were excellent. Very good service and menu... seems to be out of place for Torrey?
(4)J.J. L.
This place was rather disappointing and it was the 1st one we visited in Torrey. The salad came with no dressing which was quickly whipped up by the chef with herbs from the garden. I forgot what I had to eat. I guess it needs another try. Great collection of masks on the walls.
(2)Tom K.
Who would have believed that in the middle of the central Utah desert, that you could have a dining experience like Cafe Diablo. Best of all, it's world class food with an informal atmosphere you would expect while on an outdoor adventure vacation. Cafe Diablo is destination dining, much as Hell's Backbone Grill an hour south in Boulder. It's a reason to go to Torrey. At first glance, vacationers may think it's a bit expensive. But the diversity of the menu and quality of food and presentation actually ranks as great value. We had three entrees, a starter and a dessert - each one an unforgettable experience. Most of all, though, we appreciated the fact that we could walk in from an outdoor adventure and settle comfortably into an informal atmosphere. We'll be back! In fact, we may plan another trip just around dinner.
(5)andy t.
The quaint town of Torrey, Utah, is an unlikely spot for a highly regarded restaurant, but we'd heard about Cafe Diablo. Stopping at a nearby gas station, my friend asked the cashier the whereabouts of El Diablo. "It's CAFE Diablo!" the lady snapped back, eyeing us as two dumb tourists. "It's down the road on the left." Wow, won't make that mistake again. Cafe Diablo is actually a nice little place. The crowd was a bit bizarre -- a mix of geriatric and European tourists. And the dinners were a bit overdone in terms of presentation -- for instance, the vertical stacking of the baby back ribs seemed unecessary. But our cheese empanadas were really tasty; our pumpkin-seed trout was locally caught and delicious; and the sope camarones was OK (again, a bit overdone, smothered in tomatoes...where's my sope?!) Best of all: a shot of Cazadores Reposado in these parts set me back only $7, which is about half what I pay in the big city. If you're passing through Torrey on your way to the stunning scenery of HIghway 12, or the sublime red-rock beauty of Capitol Reef National Park, then this cafe is a good call. Just don't call it El Diablo.
(3)Paul S.
it was a pleasant surprise to find a casual reataurant serving near haute cuisine in this little town of 1500, litterally a hundred miles from nowhere (but near the must see Capital Reef National Park. We arrived at 6:00 on a Tuesday, the middle of April and the place was near empty - filling to 3/4 full by the time we left an hour and a half later. Surprise of all surprises here in Utah, there is an extensive Tequila list, with lots of special drinks, uncluding a terrific Tequila Mojito! We ordered the Camarones appetizer (small plate actually and 12 bucks... but worth it). It was Pipian (read pumkin seed) sauced with a lime/cilantro dab that covered the fresh small shrimp that sat atop a potato pancake like raft. Aside this was white corn with watercress. Yummy and filling. Before the appetizer appeared however we were treated to the house mix of pickled and sauteed veggies, served with a dry cheese and fresh bread - this went exceedingly well with our beverages! So far we were mightily impressed, but then came the main course - I ordered the crown rack of ribs - advertised as having a maple glaze and some sort of chili rub - sounded great, but while the presentation was fun (the rack was stood on end and wrapped in a circle with two huge sprigs of rosemary sticking out) the ribs, while meaty and well smoked, lacked zip! Not sweet as I'd expected from the maple, nor overly spicy (from the chili rub). I must say that there was a meal and a half here - making the 28 buck price easier to swallow - just wish the ribs had more flavor! However, my wife had the pumpin trout and it was fantastic! Fresh, tasty, and all the flavors in symphony (including the wheat cake that was below the fish. The sauce not only had pumpin seed, but capers - brilliant combo. The desert display is extensive and expensive at first glance - 9 dollars for desert - yow! But then you get a slice of cake worthy of Max's Cafe... ie, huge! And it is accompanied by a worthy dollop of fresh, homemade ice cream. (Rasberry was the flavor of choice and went well with the chocolate cake). The service was friendly and casual, as is the decor, which suited us just fine after a day of sightseeing. Just wish those ribs had delivered the goods - note to self - never order the most expensive thing on the menu - I've been disappointed before, and was yet again. Overall, a couple of drinks, appetizer, first course, main dish and desert came to 100 bucks even - a bit pricey, but considering where we were, and the freshness - probably worth it - especially for the best tasting mojito ever!
(4)Good Eats S.
We were staying near Capitol Reef for a few days and a friend recommended this place. Our server was friendly and helpful but she couldn't make up for the so-so food. I had the smoked chicken and green chili lettuce roll from the small plates menu. The chicken had good smoky flavor, but it was dry as a bone and there was only a miniscule amount of red bean sauce on the plate. There was too much lettuce and too much creamy dressing. I could only find a few kernels of roasted corn and what was there was basically tasteless. My husband had the empanadas and the turkey chimole. Both were covered in tasty sauces but the rest of the food on the plate was nothing special. We skipped desert and we'll probably skip this restaurant next time we're in Torrey. The food's not bad, but it doesn't come close to fulfilling its reputation. It's in a somewhat remote location, hence the hype. I agree with an earlier reviewer who said this place is trying too hard to be high end. The staff was really trying but the menu needs refining. It would probably be a nice place to have a glass of wine and an appetizer in the summer but the dinner was just not worth the price.
(3)Derek E.
Great southwestern food in Torrey, UT. Fairly pricey, but well worth the money. Excellent presentation in a relaxed atmosphere, with a great selection of drinks. Doesn't get much better than that!
(5)Me Y.
Went for lunch slow service even though place was pretty empty. Ordered lunch meal was tasty but sized like an appetizer.
(3)Stephanie C.
This was excellent tasty, healthy food and the presentation was brilliant. Everyone was taking photos of their meals before they ate them. We wished we had brought along our camera. The lemon tart was one of the best I have ever had. They make all their own pastries and ice-creams. This was one of the culinary highlights of our trip. Who would have thought we would find better food in a small town in Utah than we often do in Chicago.
(4)Kai O.
This is THE place to stop by on the way to Capitol Reef & Boulder Mt. Eclectic food, excellent deserts, funky cocktails. Didn;t care for the rattlesnake patties; apart from that, a very good experience. Recommended.
(4)Eileen R.
This place is so very strange. It is trying to be high end, but is just trying too hard. A more simple approach would be better. There were just so many flavors on the plate. The did succeed in creating very TALL meals. Holy moly, who knew my pecan crusted chicken would be almost a foot tall?!?! You're options are pretty limited in Torrey. Next time I'll just bring my own food.
(2)Sarah G.
If you are traveling through Utah doing the park route, you need to hit up Cafe Diablo! It was highly recommended to me and I'm happy to pass along the reco. Like the other reviews say, take the restaurant in context. I probably wouldn't recommend it so highly if it was in a major coastal city, but it is in the middle of nowhere, and makes a great vacation restaurant. Entirely inventive and creative menu, enough to write home about. Started with rattlesnake cakes. Don't be scared, they don't look or taste what you think rattlesnake would be like. It's like a very moist risotto cake. The sauces on top (pesto?) mixed perfectly with the cake. Had the fish for dinner and I think my fiance had a meat entree. Plates have a combination of lots of sauces and they are plated creatively. Everything mixes perfectly and doesn't seem overdone. Atmosphere is cozy, southwest vibe, not fancy at all, and when we were there they had an acoustic guitarist playing.
(5)Ashley H.
So excited to try this place. Needless to say it was extremely underwhelming. I ordered the ribs husband got the turkey. Both were lacking any flavor. Husband said maybe we ordered wrong. Don' t think that should ever be the case. one star for the margaritas which were pretty good. Didn't eat anywhere else in Torrey but I recommend trying anything else!
(1)Tahoe Q.
This was the second time my husband & I ate at Cafe Diablo. And believe me, if I EVER travel in this area of UT, I will make a point of having dinner here again! The unassuming building and down-home feeling inside belies some truly awesome, waddle-some, fabulous eats here! For starters, I liked the dish plunked down the minute we got seated: a healthy, tasty array of grilled veggies and marinated cuke, radish and tomato, served with crumbled feta. (How is it that I still recall that combo about 3 weeks later?!) I started off with citrus salad. OMG. The orange and grapefruit slices were fresh, zingy and tasted like they'd soaked in orange blossom water - DIVINE! My husband had the wild mushroom and spinach salad. OW! Another total hit. The mushrooms were meaty and sauteed to perfection. OK, two healthy salads that exploded with flavor! We're off to a great start. I had the pumpkin seed trout with cilantro pesto. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. It was so tasty I think I licked the plate to get every last morsel. Decadent? Probably with all the pumpkin seeds. But you only live once. My husband got the fire roasted pork tenderloin on a cilantro waffle. Yowie. Fabulous. I was getting serious heart palpitations from the overload of food sensations, but we'd seen the desert cart at neighboring tables and were sure not walking out of there without trying something. We had to laugh cuz the couple to our right got FOUR different desserts after their meals. We opted to share some homemade ice cream with a pear tart. Yes, it was KILLER good. While we sat there reeling with good food, the owner, Gary Pankow made his nightly sweep of the restaurant to check on each and every table. Now how often does that happen elsewhere? We waddled out the door - I think they had to enlarge the door frame to accommodate my happy, satisfied girth. Well, in my mind that's what happened anyway. The whole experience was memorable. Only small downside: it's noisy as a tin-can with someone banging on the lid. Oh well. Price y'pay for these kinds of seriously great eats.
(5)Min L.
When we set out on our trip through Southern Utah, we expected to be eating burgers and sandwiches at least half the time (quesadillas and salads the other half). So imagine our surprise when we walked into Cafe Diablo to find a clean and colorful eating area + outdoor seating, creative menu, and local musician playing his guitar while promoting his latest cd. The food was tasty and creative - I don't remember exactly what was on each of our plates, but I do remember hearing more than once "whoa, what a great idea" and "let's try to make something like this when we get home." Lastly, unlike most other businesses in Torrey (and other towns that sit outside S.Utah's other National Parks), I liked that this place seemed to exist for more than the just the tourists - that they were friendly and welcoming to out-of-towners in addition to being a great place for locals to enjoy a good meal.
(4)Gissel G.
During a road trip to the National Parks of Utah, we went to this highly recommended restaurant. Amazing Southwestern cousine! A gem in such a small and solitary town! Try the rattlesnake cakes - sounds scary, but they were yummy! Our waiter was a bit busy and unpersonable, but the food made us forget his dryness.
(5)Nancy G.
We had a nice dinner here. Ate on the terrace which was lovely. They had good local beer and very friendly service. We accidentally left a garment behind, which they have since mailed to our home in Illinois! Above and beyond!
(4)Dan T.
I agree with the other reviewers that say this place just tries too hard. Too many flavors that just don't play well together end up masking food that would otherwise be good. When it comes to good food, simple is elegant and I don't think this place gets that. Service was polite and friendly. The place is nice enough, way above what else is in the area. Good atmosphere.
(2)Heather H.
Honestly? I was pretty disappointed in this place. My expectations were set pretty high because of our guidebook's recommendation, but I was ultimately disappointed. Maybe I'm just spoiled by San Francisco's excellent cuisine. I will say that the ambiance at Cafe Diablo was excellent. We sat outside and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. The restaurant was casual and relaxed, but still had a classy--yet homey--feel to it. Our waitress was perfectly competent, though perhaps a bit robotic. The food, though. It was the food that I was disappointed in. Bottom line is I felt they spent WAY too much time on presentation and not nearly enough on the actual recipes. We started with a coconut fried calamari salad with various tropical fruits and golden raisins. Not very southwestern, but I liked the idea. I will say this: the fruit was quite fresh and tasty. The greens were also very fresh. But the dressing... it was sickly sweet. The coconut battered calamari was also extremely sweet. I couldn't finish it, even though I love fried foods. I hadn't eaten greens in days, I couldn't stomach the salad because it was just so damn sweet! On the waitress's recommendation, I got the pork. It was to come with a sweet potato sauce, a cilantro waffle, and some mango salsa. Sounded interesting! But after that sickeningly sweet appetizer I started to wish I'd ordered something a little more savory. Sure enough, when the dish arrived, I was sorely disappointed. The pork, eh, it was cooked alright. Maybe a little dry. The sauce, though, oh god. It was a strange salmon color--not resembling sweet potatoes at all--and tasted pretty much of...maple syrup. That's it. There was no complexity at all. No spiciness, no savory-sweet melange, nothing. Just more sickening sweetness. Maple syrup, folks. I'm all for mixing pork with sweet things (I dip my bacon in maple syrup!) but this was just gross. Ok, so how about this cilantro waffle? I've never had a savory waffle! This should be good! WRONG. It too was sickeningly sweet. Even the breakfast waffles I make aren't this sweet! Gross. The mango in the salsa was underripe and hard. And as if this was some sort of cruel joke, even the breadstick that came as a garnish was disappointing. Soft, not crunchy. I was as disappointed in the textures as I was the flavors of this dish. After eating camping food for two days, I had been really looking forward to a hot, delicious meal and this one was so bad it nearly made me cry. I should mention that my boyfriend's dish was much better than mine. I looked covetously at it for the whole meal. He got the flank steak. I don't remember the details, but it came with this crazy fried tube filled with garlic mashed potatoes and topped with a cactus breadstick (soft, like mine) and a fried parmesan/parsley crisp. It was pretty good, even though I don't like parsley. Anything to cut the sweetness of my meal, heh. The garlic mashed potatoes were quite tasty, though nothing special. The fried tube in which they were served? Turned out it was basically a giant potato chip! Pretty ingenious, but also a little weird. Again with the crazy presentation overshadowing the food. The flank steak was cooked with skill: medium-rare and tender... So it had that going for it. The sauce it was in was pretty good too, though nothing fancy. In the week leading up to our vacation in Utah, I'd made some stew, and then some fajitas with an ancho chili sauce. The sauce on the flank steak tasted like a combination of the two sauces: kind of a deep, dark stew-y, mild chili sauce. Not bad. Nothing amazing either, though. If a dish at a presumably fancy restaurant reminds me of my home cooking, I get a little disappointed. Especially if I think my home cooking is better. I'm not that great of a cook. But unfortunately I did not have much of my boyfriend's meal, and mostly had to sustain myself on the hyper-sweet pork disappointment. I hoped that maybe getting some dessert would redeem the meal a bit in my eyes. Fortunately, it did. We got an enormous slice of a decadent chocolate cake: half cake, half gooey ganache. It came with a scoop of their house-made seedless blackberry ice cream. It was delicious and reminded me vaguely of a Push-Up (remember those?). The ice cream came sandwiched between two cookies: one was a crispy lemon-sugar cookie (yum!) and the other was a super crispy pecan sugar wafer--you know, the kind where it's basically just pecans, sugar, and butter? Kind of like brittle, but thinner and more cookie-like. Anyway, it was all very tasty. Nothing groundbreaking, but I enjoyed it a lot. Still, on the whole, I found the meal highly disappointing. Both the appetizer and the entree were horribly sweet and lacked complexity. If the owners read this, I have one piece of advice: concentrate less on presentation and more on creating food with dimension; food that's tasty, not just gimmicky.
(2)Mari R.
Bottom line: It's an oasis of good food when you're traveling through Utah's national parks. Driving through Southern Utah's national parks is mind-blowingly beautiful, but let's face it, there's not a lot out there food-wise, especially if you're like us and prefer to tent-camp. Yes, the chef does tend to plate vertically a la Iron Chef - we thought it was fun. (Our joke was there's not a lot to do out there except find new ways to defy gravity with food.) But wow, lots of flavor in that food. I had the crown rack of babyback ribs, family had the sirloin medallions and fire-roasted pork tenderloin, and a kid's plate of chicken fingers. We ate until we were stuffed, and then we ate some more. The only thing I recommend is to add some fruit or something to the kid's plate. The restaurant is casual, the staff is very friendly. It's not the kind of cuisine you get from posh city restaurants - Diablo's stuff actually has flavor, and they give you a full meal and a free postcard. (Nice touch.)
(4)Shin H.
It's a unique find - one wouldn't expect to see a place like this in the middle of almost nowhere. A number of guidebooks consider this place to be one of the best restaurants in Southern Utah. Capitol Reef National Park is the only major attraction nearby (as far as I could tell). Visited the restaurant this past summer during a tour of Utah's national parks. Cafe Diablo had a nice atmosphere, clean, modern/homey styled with art works on the wall. It felt somewhat like someone's large, single story house that they converted into a restaurant. There was a dirt parking lot next to the restaurant that was noticeably more full than the other local restaurants'. We showed up during mid-week for dinner and were seated right away, without a reservation. Service was pleasant and prompt. For the first course, we ordered the Rattlesnake Cakes (think crab cakes) and the Coconut Calamari & Marmalade Salad. The dishes came very well plated - colorful, piled up vertically, visually pleasing, just like something you see on the Food Network. For the Rattlesnake Cakes, on tasting, it's unfortunate to say, the dish turned out to be below average. It tasted somewhat like seasoned, soft potatoes pancakes, without any noticeable distinct flavors. Maybe I was expecting too much from the name, or maybe that was how the dish should have tasted, but I was definitely disappointed with the dish. It didn't even taste like chicken! The other first course we ordered, the Coconut Calamari & Marmalade Salad, however, was much better. The flavors worked well together & tasted very good to complement the way the plate looked. The salad was definitely the highlight of the dinner. The main courses came and, like the first courses, looked outstanding. The Crown Rack of Glazed Ribs was visually impressive - a large crown of ribs standing high on the plate. It was a large serving that looked as good on the plate as the description sounded on the menu. The Fire Roasted Pork Tenderloin wasn't as impressive-looking, but still looked delicious all the same. But you don't live on good looks alone, as the saying goes, it's the taste that counts. Disappointingly for these main dishes however, we found that their tastes did not live up to their appearances. To be fair, both the ribs and the tenderloin were decent entrees. But, also in fairness, they were similar in taste to many average ribs/meat joints I've visited. Even the sauces didn't really add much flavor to the meats. The accompanying cilantro waffle to my tenderloin didn't taste different from any other ordinary waffle I've had. The mashed sweet potatoes to the other main course was decent, but again, nothing that would set it apart from another establishment. Both of these courses were great to look at, but we expected more in taste. In the end, as mentioned earlier, the salad turned out to be the most memorable item. If you're in the area, it might be worth it to try Cafe Diablo, considering that there's not much else. I'm sure the chef, owner, and staff put a lot of effort into the menu and service. But I didn't think the dishes, in taste, met the level of praise Caf Diablo receives. In the end, I came away not feeling that my money was well-spent.
(3)Jean H.
Very creative and tasty. Yes, there are not a lot of options in the Torrey area but Cafe Diablo is an oasis. We are foodies and love creativity not only in presentation but also in flavor combinations. This reminds me of Cafe Kati in San Francisco. The place was packed but service was attentive and never off paced. My trout was one of the best I have had in years. A previous reviewer said they are trying to be high end. From my point of view, they are not a high end restaurant - not a French Laundry in Yountville or Cyrus in Healdsburg but a solid well executed restaurant.
(5)Mike M.
Maybe Cafe Diablo was a victim of its own hype -- I've read raves about it in guidebooks, and the walls of the entryway are lined with awards and certificates of merit and recognition and so on from a list of prestigious sources. Everything I've heard said it's not only the best restaurant on southern Utah, it's one of the best in the West. Ehhh, not so much. Granted, it's excellent, especially considering it's in the middle of nowhere. But stick it in the Bay Area or something, and it'd be just another above-average restaurant. Disarray at the front of the house seems to be a theme in southern Utah, and this was no exception. I waited about 20 minutes before the hostess showed up to write down the names of the dozen or so of us who had arrived since she left her post. From then it was about a 20-minute wait. The place was absolutely packed, and appeared understaffed, which probably contributed to the wait. Lots of locals too -- seemed like half the town was eating there. But that's a good sign. Once I got seated, things improved greatly. The menu is creative and tasty. A small plate of vegetable tapas is served instead of bread-- various peppers, carrots, zucchini, cheese, onions. I started with the rattlesnake cakes (potato pancake-type patties with diced rattlesnake meat that I hardly tasted among the peppers and other veggie ingredients) served with some really tasty, spicy-but-not-overwhelming rosemary aioli. The main courses all looked really good (marinated loin of lamb, fire roasted pork tenderloin, turkey relleno, double cut ribeye steak...). I settled on the pumpkin seed trout with cilantro lime sauce, veggies and a wild rice pancake. The trout was delicious -- cooked really well -- and the flavors all came together perfectly. The wild rice pancake was richer than I expected, and had just a zip of spice. The desserts all looked amazing, but sadly I was too full by then. Another thing I couldn't indulge in was the extensive tequilla menu -- wow. They have a selection of about 25 tequillas that is one of the most impressive I've seen. Just get a designated driver first. Hmmm, I originally gave this place 3 stars because I was so put off by the long wait to get on the list to get seated, but after rereading this, the food itself deserves another star. They just need to hire a couple more servers. Oh, they're also seasonal -- they close in mid-October and won't reopen again until April or so. But if you're in the Capitol Reef area during their open season, it's definately worth it.
(4)