Rio Cantina
Located at 1049 Center St North Augusta, SC 29841, Rio Cantina offers a unique blend of vibrant flavors and a welcoming atmosphere, making it a standout choice for those seeking delicious Mexican cuisine. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or a leisurely dinner, this spot is sure to impress with its wide range of dishes and exceptional service.
A Flavorful Menu with Something for Everyone
At Rio Cantina, the menu is designed to cater to every palate, with a variety of options that highlight the bold and savory tastes of Mexican cuisine. From appetizers like the creamy Queso Dip and Guacamole Dip to heartier dishes such as the Grilled Shrimp and Tacos, there’s a dish for everyone. The Taco Salad and Ensalada De Cantina provide a fresh and light option for those craving something healthy, while the Fajitas served with Mexican rice, beans, and all the classic toppings offer a satisfying and flavorful experience.
For a bit more indulgence, the Chimichangas and Burritos stand out as crowd favorites, packed with your choice of meat and topped with savory fillings. Seafood lovers can enjoy offerings like Ceviche De Camaron and Pescado Azado, which are beautifully prepared to highlight the freshness of the ingredients. The Specialties menu, featuring Texas Rice and Cantina Chiles, takes things up a notch with unique flavors that give a fresh twist on traditional Mexican dishes.
Vibrant Dining Atmosphere and Excellent Service
The atmosphere at Rio Cantina is both casual and classy, making it an ideal choice for a group dinner or a relaxing evening out. Patrons often praise the welcoming vibe, with both indoor and outdoor seating available, providing flexibility depending on your mood or the weather. One of the highlights is the karaoke nights on the porch, offering a fun, lively experience for those who enjoy entertainment with their meal. The spacious seating area, combined with moderate noise levels, ensures a comfortable yet lively environment for diners.
Service at Rio Cantina is consistently praised for being fast and friendly. Reviewers often mention how the staff is attentive, making every visit enjoyable. Whether you're enjoying a meal before heading to a nearby game or taking a break from shopping, the team at Rio Cantina is always ready to offer great service with a smile.
Great for Groups and Special Occasions
Rio Cantina is well-suited for both intimate dinners and larger group gatherings. The generous portion sizes are perfect for sharing, and the extensive menu ensures everyone can find something they’ll love. From the Fajitas to the Tamales and Burritos, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your taste buds. Additionally, their Happy Hour Specials are a hit, offering great deals on drinks and appetizers, making it a popular choice for a night out with friends.
Reviews
We stopped in here right before a Green Jackets game and it was surprisingly not very busy other than a few medium sized parties. The menu is massive with a lot of great options that made it hard to choose from, but when the food came the portions were plentiful. I got the steak ranchero which was good, though it got sauce it was pretty dang hot which I regret getting. Speaking of hot, the salsa that comes when you sit down has a pretty good kick as well, not a huge fan of that but at least it had good flavor. The restaurant is much bigger on the inside than it appears so it's a great spot to bring a group of people either before the game or after, or just to eat regardless if you're attending a game. If your looking for a drink they have a massive menu of margaritas, I wasn't a fan of mine since I'm not a huge tequila drinker but my wife pleasantly consumed it with a smile on her face so it was just me.
Dinner with friends! Tonight we ate until we could eat anymore. Of course we stared with chips, salsa, and queso. The queso dip was thick and had a nice flavor, not watered down like a lot of restaurants. My husband and I ordered pork tacos, shrimp tacos, and chicken tamales. The shrimp tacos were good but the elote was delicious - probably the best elote I've had from any restaurant in Augusta. I could easily have just ordered the elote as my meal. Our server was very attentive to our table even with it being as busy as it was. There was karaoke tonight and a lot of friends-mas parties that were going on.
Although the GreenJacket's game was postponed, then canceled due to inclement weather, it was really cool hanging out in the breezeway having a beer and just chopping it up with baseball fans. Afterwards we all headed to the Mexican restaurant on campus for tacos and steak burritos.
If you're looking for a fun place to get food or drinks, before, after, or just anytime, Rio Cantina is a great place for you! You'll love the food, margs and atmosphere!
The place is clean and has a nice atmosphere. The night I was here they were having karaoke on the porch. I appreciated this because you could stay inside or go outside with the louder music. I went to both. The service was great. Quick and friendly. The food was really good. It's your average Mexican restaurant in every southern town. But still really good. I have it 4 stars because that's what I give every Mexican restaurant where the food is good and the service is friendly. I would definitely come back.