RIO GRANDE CAFE - MAINLINE TO MEXICO

The Rio Grande Cafe has been one of my favorite places to eat for a long time. Yeah, yeah - the neighborhood gets a bad rap, I get that (270 S Rio Grande Street, SLC, UT 84101) - so if that bothers you maybe go during the day for lunch... 

Bottom line - this place has great food. The menu is great and the lunch and dinner combos are reasonably priced. They have a full service bar and the servers are always AMAZING. I love this place because of the atmosphere - eating in an old train station - while the jukebox plays some good old fashioned rock & roll. Taken from the Rio Grande Cafe's website:

The Rio Grande Cafe opened its doors in 1981 and has been locally owned and operated since that day. The nostalgic landmark cafe is locate in the historical Rio Grand Train Depot built in 1910 for the Denver Rio Grande and Western Railroad service. The cafe was the original "air conditioned" coffee shop, a marketable novelty and is tributed in the savvy form of a pink neon sign that is perched, to this day, above the entry way. 

Rio Grande Cafe's interior reflects the era of enjoying a classic bottled coca cola, jukebox favorites playing in the background, while also paying tribute to the train stations storied past. The famous artist installation of the 'taco lady' still hangs in the dining room. The toy train circles the track above the bar as margaritas and local ales are served to the many loyal customers who have enjoyed the laid back cafe serving up Mexican comfort food as one of Salt Lake's iconic restaurants.

The next time you're looking for some great food - and you have a little time to enjoy yourself, head over to the Rio Grande Cafe in SLC.