Saturday, April 26, 2008

Cafe Rio = Utah residency

Ok, I know this could be upsetting to some people, but I've never really liked Cafe Rio. (gasp!) I think we've gone once. It just was not as impressive as everyone says it is and I'd rather just go to Baja Fresh or Olas for Mexican food, but I guess I can only go there if I'm in So. Cal. So here's the story. 
Everyone rants and raves about their salad and I've never had it because we've never gone back. And Shad's been sick with some rare disease (a "man cold") for about a week and couldn't eat anything so I wasn't making food. I was just eating crap like mac and cheese, top ramen, left overs, etc. And the other day I was so sick of it. I called Shad and I said, I want a salad. (if any of you know me well, I never "want" a salad. I'll eat one,  but I never want it!) So Shad said "go ahead!" I was really craving a BBQ chicken ranch salad from Paradise Bakery, but I wasn't about to drive up to SLC. And the only place I could think of around here that I heard had good salads was Cafe Rio. I ordered my salad, brought it home and loved the entire 1/4 of it I ate! Ok, I said it, I loved it. I loved having a tortilla in my salad, I loved the rice, I loved the flavor of the chicken, I loved how the lettuce was romaine and not iceberg, I loved the guacamole, and most of all I loved the dressing! I have been craving it daily ever since and I don't know what to do because that salad cost me $8.06! But Shad did end up eating the rest so I guess we ate that night for $8.06. But normally Shad would eat a lot more. 
So, I guess I've turned. I got a Utah drivers license last week and now I like Cafe Rio. I don't know how this happened. And I don't know how to control these cravings! HELP!!! 

9 comments:

Robert and Bethany said...

That is so funny. The only thing we liked from Cafe Rio was the salads as well. But I can live with out it. This Monday I am getting a CA drivers license again and am so happy. When you move back here you will realize that some of the things that Utah offered you was only temp happiness, trust me. I am happy again and haven't stopped smiling since we have been here. So move back and be my friend!

The Waldram Family said...

Hey Carly this is Lauren Van, I sometimes visit your blog... I am up in Utah as well and I don't understand the whole Cafe Rio thing. My Sister in law loves it, I think its okay...nothing compared to so cal mexican food. I usually get the tostada, which is just a small salad with a small tortilla (make sure to ask for a flour tortilla) and its only $5. It helps the wallet. Its one of the few things that Utah has to offer.

Plewe Fam said...

Carly, you might as well never have lived in California because you are SOOO Utah! You have crossed over to the darkside. I must say if you are going to make a habit or eating those salad types, Bajios has a chicken salad and it comes with more rice and beans and filling inside their salad and Tyler and I can fully share it and be stuffed. Go ahead and shoot me, but Tyler won't go to Cafe Rio so we settle for Bajio. As for cravings...this is your chance - go for it. I mean don't be a crazy porker, but you deserve a reward whenever you want one.

Emily said...

This makes so much more sense to me now!

Sean and I prefer Bajio. My family is crazy for Cafe Rio and I think it's okay but Bajio is just better.

Lindsay said...

Hi Carly. That is so funny that you say that about Cafe Rio. I totally miss it and was just craving one of their salads a couple days ago. Im jealous that you can eat it so easily, but im not that jealous cuz it is in utah.

Unknown said...

i have to say that i love cafe rio. but it's not worth living in utah for that. i don't miss it that much now that i'm back in cali. the cravings will ease. love ya!

Anonymous said...

WOW it is a depressing time to get a UTARD DL i know how you feel cause i have been there. So easy to get it also. So you have been converted to cafe rio good job, it is fantastic love it. all the food is great there i enjoy the salads i love the dressing. iam excited for this weekend

Leah said...

I wish I would have read this post earlier. Then I would have known your secret! You are having PREGNANCY CRAVINGS! (Haha!)

I ate my fair share of Cafe Rio salads when I was prego with Drewbie. (I have a really good recipe for the Cafe Rio pork salad. I'll email it to you.) Craving salads during pregnancy is good, though. Eat lots of salads and veggies and you'll get a nice, fat, healthy baby. Worked for me!

Also, didn't you know that when you become a Utah resident you automatically become more fertile? It's something in the water. That's why there are so many babies here. I should have told you that. Forget going to fertility specialists; all you REALLY had to do was live here long enough. (Just kidding:)

Anyway, congratulations again, Carly and Shad!

And I have to go get my Utah driver's license tomorrow. Whoopee!!!

Brittney said...

Hey Carly. I read this post and thought I should give you my Cafe Rio pork salad recipe because we love it, but it looks like your friend Leah has already emailed you one. I don't even need to give you mine though if you have one of the ward cookbooks since I put my two Cafe Rio recipes in there. If you don't have one though, let me know if you want to see my recipe. We ate it ALLLLL the time this last school year. SO delicious.. and the best way to eat it is with the Costco uncooked flour tortillas.