Rio Rio Cantina is a large, colorful, lively (loud), and very popular bar and eatery on San Antonio's Riverwalk (street entrance is on East Commerce). Inside, is a small bar called the Naked Iguana ("where nobody knows your name, but everyone's willing to learn").
Rio Rio has a Mexican decor, and Mexican/Tex-Mex cuisine, including beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Appetizers ($7-$15) include nachos (severals ways), quesadillas, flautas, guacamole, and more; Specialty dishes ($10-$16) include chimichangas, enchladas (many ways), and others; Specialty meat dishes ($12-$16) are baby back ribs, fajitas, and more; Seafood dishes ($16-$19) include shrimp and fresh fish; and they also have Combination plates ($11-$12) that mix it all up.
We started with drinks, and some of us had frozen top shelf margaritas, which were outstanding. The rest of my group had beer or soft drinks. Based on the huge plates of food being carried past our table, we skipped the appetizers, and had chips and salsa (Tip: that red sauce on the table is not ketchup!).
We followed with lots of food. I had their Burrito Fajita De Res, which is a huge burrito stuffed with beef fajita meat, refried beans, bell peppers, onions, and cheese, rolled up and covered in their enchilada sauce. As if that weren't enough, it has sides of rice, beans and even a salad. My wife had baby back ribs (she said they had too much BBQ sauce), and another family member had beef fajitas (excellent I'm told).
Rio Rio is as popular as the Riverwalk, so it is crowded and loud. We were seated immediately indoors at peak times on a Saturday night, which was great, because it was too hot (late June) to eat outside, even with a view of the Riverwalk.
If you are more hearty than I when it comes to the heat, Rio Rio has tables outdoors on the Riverwalk, and on a second floor outdoor patio. The Riverwalk makes them very inviting, and very popular indeed. Indoors and outdoors, servers are dressed in traditional Mexican dresses.
Rio Rio is a short walk down the Riverwalk from the Hilton (see other journal entry). From the rear of the Hilton, cross the Riverwalk and turn right....you can't miss it. You will walk pass many restaurants, cantinas, and shops. Have a blast!