Rio Mambo

I was in Arlington last night for business. As a group we decided to go to Rio Mambo. The restaurant looks nice. We got seated, they have a huge menu which was nice. We got our bar drinks before we got our water and appetizers (unusual but nice). We ordered and the food took about 20 minutes to come out. They had to come back to ask one of us what we ordered. The food comes out and one of the meals is wrong. The waitress preceded to say that the person who ordered it was wrong and that the dish that came out was what she ordered. It wasn’t but she wouldn’t let it go. Finally she stormed off to put in the order. I tried my food (shrimp tacos) which is what the other person was waiting on. The shrimp where horribly freezer burned. I took a couple of bites and decided to just stick with chips and salsa because the entrée was HORRIBLE. Our waitress was missing in action, we had been out of drinks, salsa, and chips for at least 15 minutes. The entire table was done eating and the «wrong order» had not showed up. We flagged down a different waitress (who was amazing and very helpful). She noticed I hadn’t eaten mine and I told her it was freezer burned. She asked if I wanted something different and I said that we had been waiting on an order for over 20 minutes. She said the kitchen was very backed up. We canceled the order and she agreed to take them both off of our ticket. We had another drink, then a man (I heard someone call him Henry he was older and broad with a thick accent) comes to the table with a plate of shrimp tacos. We told him that we canceled the order 10 – 15 minutes ago. At that point he became very upset. He yelled at us for ordering the most expensive item on the menu (it wasn’t even close) then canceling it. He asked why I didn’t like the tacos in an extremely condescending tone. I told the dish was freezer burned. At that point he became even more rude and told me that it was not possible that it was freezer burned that they go through so much shrimp that it does not have a chance to go into the freezer (I know what I tasted) and that I didn’t know what I was talking about. He continued to argue with me and became belligerent. He said he would have the kitchen make me something different. I told him how long we had to wait for the last order and that the waitress told us the kitchen was backed up, I was fine, I would pay for the shrimp tacos then return to my hotel room to eat. He said that kitchens never back up and I was being ridiculous that there was no way we waited that long for food. I told him I didn’t want anything else and we would just take the check. At this time our original waitress came back and I couldn’t even be upset at her. She had to work for this douchebag day in and day out and I would never have to see him again. I could tell she was upset so we all apologized for getting her in trouble. I have never been treated so disrespectfully as a restaurant goer anywhere in the nation. I honestly felt that I was on some television show and Someone was going to jump out and tell me I had been punked. I travel a lot and I come to Arlington a lot, as do my colleagues. We will be staying away from this place and spreading the news about the horrible service. I will say that everyone else’s meal was great but the second plate of shrimp tacos was still freezer burned. Stay away from Henry, don’t question the waitstaff and don’t return any food or question its freshness and you may like it.

Overpriced for food that is not that good at all! I had tamales that were very dry with sauce that was straight out of a can! My date was also unimpressed with the meal & drinks that cost $ 60.00! For the quality it should not be at that price

I had to try Rio Mombo at this new location in Arlington. This was my second attempt. Last time the hostess was rude and we walked out. This time the hostess was much better we got our table very quick. And she was nice and courteous. We went early so there was no line to be seated.
The restaurant is very nice very modern not the Tex Mex style. There is not a lot of room to sit even though the place looks big. But the bar area is very large with plenty of seating. They have a good happy hour drink and appetizers. And sitting in the bar is more fun.
The menus has plenty to choose from all the usual Mexican food. I had the grilled Tacos with brisket and poblano for 14.95. They were pretty good. The food was good but I was not impressed that much. Not sure why. I may go back one day I’ll see. I would give them a try for yourself. Maybe it is just me.

We Came on a Wednesday at lunch time it was not too busy. It was so hard to find the door to get into the restaurant. The restaurant is rapped around a corner so you think do I go left or right? No door in the middle? The food was good, I had brisket quesadilla it was in the appetizers and I thought it would be smaller but it was like 8 pieces. I got full. My co-​workers got the tacos, shrimp. They said it was all good. The chips and salsa was great. Chips were warm and salsa was seasoned nice.
They have a breakfast/​brunch menu but with that they only have decaf coffee so I really don’t think I’ll come for breakfast because of that, also they don’t have sweet tea but all around it was good. We will be back.

Got in today from Phoenix, Az. I was looking for a restaurant who delivered so I came across this restaurant. However, when I called I was advised that they did not deliver. I was hungry so I still placed a order and decided that I will just walk because it did not seem that far. Wrong! Lol for a pregnant woman and with this humidity I thought to myself «now why in the heck did you decide to walk».
Once I got there my food was ready. The worker was super sweet and said she made sure I had everything since I said I walked there. I thanked her. As I was paying for my meal the manager over heard me telling her I had walked. He said «Tieshia (I’m looking around like is some one calling my name) this is (forgot name) he will drive you back to your hotel. You are pregnant and it’s hot you don’t need to walk back» I was very thankful, and expressed that to the manager as well as the man who drove me back to my hotel. Now that’s service! On top of that my food was amazing, ready, everything was there plus the staff was awesome… Now I never write reviews but had to for this restaurant.
When I come back to Dallas I will definitely make at stop back here!

Happy hour is very good because they give you complimentary nachos and quesadillas but the margaritas are very weak and taste like lemonade. I would not recommend them I sent them back twice before settling on a delicious beer instead. Other than that this location specifically is very nice and modern looking. Food is nothing to brag about.

I have been there several times. My two favorite entrees are the Salmon Yucatan, and the Chipotle Glazed Pork Shanks.
The crème sauce with capers, and the parlando rice casserole are what makes me love the Salmon Yucatan. And the Pork Shanks are so tender the meat just comes off the bone so effortlessly, and can be cut with a fork.
The salsa and molcajete brought to the table are made fresh, and I have always found the staff attentive. A drink refill is never delayed whether by the person responsible for my table or somebody else.
I’ve had better enchiladas elsewhere, and the caso is just ok. Both could use something to ounch them up. Adding molcajete does the trick. But neither are why I come here. I’d recommend anyone give them a try.

I am a huge fan of brunch and Rio Mambo is one of the best around in my area. Typically we will get a group to meet up around 11 and it is usually empty in the dining area (especially near the bar) upon arrival. They have a good amount of televisions to keep you entertained and the wait staff is usually very efficient and friendly.
I highly recommend the King Mambo brunch special. Your first mimosa is free and then each mimosa afterwards is $ 0.99. You get a plate of fruit with your meal, choose from a variety of dishes (big fan of the omelettes), and end it off with a sopapilla.
The prices are reasonable and the interior is also maintained very well and always clean. On those rare days where it is nice to sit outside — they have a beautiful patio up front that you can choose to relax at.

I really enjoy this place for lunch during the week. Why do I so seldom think of it? Must be getting feeble. It’s so easy to fall into a pattern of going places that are «just good enough.» I resolve to break that habit and at least visit Rio Mambo more regularly.
Today Claudia was quick with our drink order. I’m a sucker for fresh iced tea. this is Texas. «Sweet» shouldn’t be an option. The fresh green salsa on the table had a surprising fire. Yummy. We ordered a small guacamole as we surfed the menu.
I ordered the grilled tacos with brisket. the plate arrived quickly. It was obvious the crew was working hard to allow us time to dine in the limited lunch hour. The two generously filled tacos were supported in a rack. Cheese, rice, veggies, and a little dish of clear sauce were arrayed around the plate. Beans were served on the side as a soup. The presentation pleasing to the eye, but how was the food?
First, the small guacamole appetizer was freshly made, served with thicker dipping chips, and flavorful. Brisket tacos are now almost cliché but I have a weakness for them. this brisket was moist and smokey but still had good texture. it had a rich smokey flavor. The shells were crisp home made fried corn tortilla taco shells. White cheese (jack?) and queso fresco were mixxed in the veggies (cut lettuce and spinach). The rice, though reddish, was bland, but hey, it’s rice. Tossing a little of everything into a shell I drizzled a little of the thin red sauce over it and chomped into it. Very good. you can really tell when the kitchen takes the time to make it right and get it to you fresh and ready.
The beans (bean soup?) is served with strips of crispy tortilla on top like a tortilla soup. Just beans, I know, but it almost stole the show. I will definitly try to sweet-​talk someone out of the recipe.
So that’s it. Just lunch on a mid week workday but it really made my day. Claudia is charming and I will definitely ask to be seated in her section next time. All-​in-​all it was a wonderful visit, just like last time. So, again, why don’t I remember to come here more often?

New location in Arlington. Great Happy Hour prices which includes bean/​cheese nachos, cheese quesadillas, and queso. The nachos and quesadillas were pretty decent but the queso was nothing special. I originally ordered a Mango Margarita and did not like it. There was no mango flavor in it what so ever! It tasted like plastic. I then ordered a regular margarita and it was decent. We came as a huge group and service was just okay. Wish our server told us about all the specials before we ordered the same exact thing off the menu for full price.

This location is good. I walked in and was seated immediately for some reason the restaurant was empty besides me and 3 other people hmm? I ordered the LaPadilla or however its spelled anyways its brisket tacos and they are the best on the planet.

From being out of state, I was with a couple classmates and tried this place. The place was modern with decent Latin music playing.
The service was good and opted to seat outside, the inside was too cool to sit.
The chips were greasy and salsa taste like it came from a jar. No flavor or spice. Just bland.
The menu is extensive with what seems like some of their own creations. I tried the grilled relleno with beef inside. It was OK but it tasted like they used way too much salt in the meat and the beans in a cup also had too much salt. Portion size was mediocre for $ 14 but looked beautiful from outside. Too bad it wasn’t the other way around. If I was in town again, I probably wouldn’t go here again. Best to try the hole in the wall type places where the real Mexican flavors come alive. 2 stars for the service.

This was my second and final attempt here. Dinner on Thursday night around 8p with hubby and four friends.
I will focus on my experience only as the other folks Unilocal too. Seated immediately and greeted by our server, Nikki. She made it easy to have separate checks and was around quite frequently with drink refills and checking back.
For my drink, I ordered a small Iguana, which is like a swirl. Cost of $ 8.49, which was steep for the size and strength of this beverage.
We ordered a bowl of queso for the group, $ 6.95, and it was super runny, very bland (tasted like watered down cheese flavored product). Even with the addition of the extra-​spicy salsa we got to enhance it was ranked one of our last favorite quesos of all times.
As my entrée, I opted for the ½ order of Brisket Nachos, no beans. Menu describes it as brisket with poblano and onion in house made pasilla sauce, topped with pineapple pico. Served with guacamole and sour cream. Based on this description, I expected brisket with a hint of spice from the sauce and pineapple pico, which would be sweet and a little savory. When I orders, Nikki asked if I wanted everything it came with and I said yes. What I received was brisket in the seriously most gelatinous, gloppy sauce, crowned with overly sweet pico that was all sweet, no savory and not a hint of spice. I like sweet BBQ sauce, so I am not anti-​sweet, it was just that these flavor a clashed on every possible taste bud! I literally ate one bite, gave away the guacamole and sour cream and didn’t touch the rest. The ½ order was $ 9.95 and a full order is $ 12.95.
When she cleared my plate, she asked what was wrong and I told her they were inedible to me. She said «I asked you if you wanted everything… the pineapple pico is very different»! I assured her it was purely my personal expectations that weren’t met and she apologized.
A manager stopped by and said he heard I didn’t like my food. I reiterated my personal disappointment and he again mentioned the pineapple pico being very different and offered to remake the nachos without that. The sauce was still another component I disliked, so I declined his offer.
Overall, everyone thought the drinks were way too pricey, the food way too sub-​par and the entire experience (except for our server) a choice we regretted. Never again, we shall vote with our dollars.

I finally found a Mexican restaurant in Arlington that I can call a favorite! They have amazing salsa and I love their enchiladas. I went there with a party of ten today and the servers were fast and tentative. My friends and family had everything from chalupas to tacos and everyone gave it two thumbs up.
At my last visit I had a frozen margarita too, and they are well made. Not watered down at all.
Happy to find a new local favorite.

This was our first time here. We came for a quick lunch and it was a very nice place, I didn’t know exactly what to expect regarding the food, Would it be authentic mexican, tex-​mex or a little of both?
Our waiter came by to get out beverage order quick, our complimentary chips and salsa was served also quick, the salsa was a bit too fake in my opinion, it tasted more like tomato purée then salsa, and the chips could use a bit of salt.
We ordered a margarita and that got there also quick, my friend ordered the One, Two & Three, which consist of a enchilada, taco and a chalupa or tamale, she asked with charro beans, a flour taco and chicken chalupa, the gave her refried beans and a corn tortilla, but the waitress came back soon and fixed her order without any problems.
I got the Chalupas Elegantes, with was two chalupas with refried beans, chorizo, with lettuce, avocado, and fresh cheese and a side of sour cream with rice and a small bowl of tortilla soup.
I didn’t ask my friend what she thought about the food, I personally think it was ok, it was not amazingly great, but it was decently good, the tortilla soup had tortilla strips, avocado and very cheesy (I love cheese!), the chalupas were very loaded and yummy the rice was very «fake.»
We would definetly come here again for lunch and drinks, the service was good, ours just seemed a little lost.

This 4-​Star review is for their happy hour only! Just FYI.
So we checked this place out for a going away happy hour at work. It was my first time after hearing it was a great place for drinks and appetizers.
First of all, they give you free nachos and quesadillas during happy hour. (not unlimited we just found out at our last visit!). and our server hooked us up. Only once I had to ask if we could get another round, and she brought 4 plates of it (granted we were a pretty big group). Thursdays, there are $ 3.99 house margaritas and $ 2.50 domestics.
I pretty much just paid for my drinks and had dinner included. Their salsa is only ok and they have free «queso» on the table. I’m pretty sure it’s velveeta-​based, very plastic-​y, but you know what? Free is free. I’m not going to complain.
That being said, I haven’t had any of their entrees at all. I thought about getting their flauta’s app, but it was $ 10 and I saw one go by on a tray, and I’m pretty sure it was 3 pieces. it looked pretty spare.
To be honest, I don’t see myself going for a full dinner. if I want to pay the prices their charge, I’ll go to Mi Cocina or Gloria’s.
But I have to say, Thursday nights you can’t argue with everything you get for what they charge for happy hour. Definitely will go again!

Excellent spot for happy hour located near the HIlton Garden Inn, across from the Hampton Inn and walking distance from a hub of hotels on Lamar Blvd.
Rio Mambo offers a modern and nicely designed space without the upscale price. They provide chips, salsa, and queso and other appetizers during happy hour. The drinks are cheap, the margaritas are strong, and the service is quick. We had a group of about 30 people come and they were very attentive and opened separate tabs for everyone. The food was good and they have a wide selection.
As an added bonus, if you are bringing a large group, they have a shuttle that will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. We planned to be here only during happy hour, but were having such a good time that we stayed 3 hours past that until close.

Yey! They opened a Rio Mambo on our side of town. I’ve been going to the one in SW Fort Worth for years and love their happy hour and dinner service.
When we arrived and looked around hmmmm nice place. We walked to the host stand where there were two «lovely young ladies» looking at what I assume was the seating chart. This is where the nice place ended.
After standing in front of them for about 20 — 30 seconds I start to get a little aggravated that they still have not looked up to acknowledge my existence. After a while longer I’m tired of being ignored so I clear my throat.
With this, the «lovely young ladies» give me a look letting me know that I was interrupting them and still did not say a word to us. This is when I «politely» let them know that customers do not like being ignored and made to feel that we bothering the employees; especially those employees that are there to greet the customers. If you are busy, just let us know that you will be with us shortly and any reasonable person will wait politely.
Even after this the «lovely young ladies» still never said a word to us they just stared.
Needless to say, we left. Maybe someday we will try this place again but it will probably be quite a while.
To the management, there are way too many restaurants in the area for anyone to put up with bad service especially at the host stand.

Good salsa.
Rio Mambo is a place to go with your friends. It has great atmosphere — indoors or out on the patio. I happened to be in town for a work thing so I chose to sit outside.
I stared at the menu for a long time going back and forth on what to order. Then the waiter came out, told me he was a pretty new server but encouraged me to get the brisket tacos.
OMG they were so good! I would go back to Texas just for those tacos. Good job on the suggestion young man.

It was cold and chilly outside and I had a craving for some good TexMex to warm my tummy. I had not been to the newest location of Rio Mambo, so off I went. I was greeted very warmly and immediately seated in a very spacious booth. Chips and salsa were brought to my table for me to munch on. The salsa was good but could have been a bit spicier for my taste.
I ordered the lunch special #3. I opted for a tamale with chili con carne and a chicken enchilada with sour cream sauce. Rice and refried beans rounded out the plate. I felt the plate was a very good value at $ 7:95. The tamale was plump and the enchilada was packed full of flavorful shredded chicken. Both sauces were seasoned perfectly. The standout was the beans and the rice. They were really good. I normally don’t finish them on my plate, but this time I totally cleaned my plate.
Service was brisk and perfect for the lunchtime crowd. The décor of the new location is very modern and appealing. I can’t wait to come back again soon and sit in the bar area. It’s beautiful and looks like a great place to sit and enjoy some exotic cocktails.