The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is about to turn 40. Having opened its first location in Fort Collins in June 1986, the place is now one of Colorado’s elder statesmen, with locations in Boulder, Greeley, Lone Tree and Downtown Denver. By volume, it’s certainly served up literal rivers of Jose Cuervo Gold and has joyously helped shape the drinking culture of the communities that it’s landed in. The Rio Grande has always been a destination.
But like most things, when they are on the cusp of 40, it’s been having to take a long look at itself and shake things up a bit. Some locations have been able to largely stick to the mold, with slight, customer-driven alterations keeping butts in seats and margs in hands. But for Downtown’s iteration, owners Pat McGaughran and Steve Richter have decided to take more drastic measures to meet the demands of the city’s fast-paced dining public. So on June 9, the team debuted Rio on Wazee in the same spot that had housed the brand since 2022.
Beginning in 1999, The Rio Grande has been a fixture of downtown, when it first appeared in a massive, two-story space just off 16th and Blake. The heaping burritos, beans and rice-laden taco plates and vibrant frozen margaritas that still make up the majority of the menu at the other locations were all the rage. But when the business moved to its current location at 17th and Wazee, the OG model starting to fall flat. The future was calling, and with the new space came inklings that change was gonna come. “It was the beginning talks of that transition,” said Richter, who has been overseeing the kitchen since he came aboard at the Boulder location in 1989. The new digs needed flavors that fit the decidedly more elegant vibe.
Rio on Wazee is a unique departure for the brand. It’s the only one with a fresh name, and certainly the only one boasting a menu largely composed of more traditional plates from across Mexico, like pork shank birria, Colorado Striped Bass Veracruzana and cast iron roasted chicken with green mole and salsa macha oil. So why the change?
Richter says it’s because the city’s market is an outlier compared with those of the more peripheral locations. “I think the other markets are rockin’ and rollin’ just the way they are,” he said, noting that each space does receive its own treatment. Boulder has College Night on Thursdays with its long tradition of $6 margaritas, while Lone Tree lets kids eat free on Sundays. “We’re in very different markets. We try to give the people of the town what they want. We want to delight them,” continued Richter.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Rio on Wazee’s commitment to scratch cooking. “Every one of the Rios is like a tortilla factory,” laughed Richter. “That’s the soul of the Rio. If you don’t start with the right base what do you have? It’s not scratch, it’s not real.”
While much of the menu is new, the team has kept a few of the unmissables on. Housed largely in one section of “Rio Favorites”, items like the Texas-style enchiladas, burritos and Rio Rellenos are still present with limted gussying up. The fajitas are also still there, virtually unchanged from their sizzling start four decades ago.
The new menu hits a sweet spot. Its fancy but unfussy, fun but still fit for date night. “This is leveled up. This is Wazee,” grinned Richter.
Rio on Wazee is located at 1745 Wazee St., Denver. It is open Monday – Wednesday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Weekend brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Happy Hour is Monday – Friday from 3 – 5 p.m.
Photos courtesy of Joni Schrantz.
