Homemade Cafe Rio

For Dave's birthday dinner, he requested homemade Cafe Rio. I decided to try as many recipes as I could, so here they are. Since many of us in my family aren't eating pork, I thought I would attempt to make the pork recipe using beef. Not only did it work, but I think we all liked it better. We had all fixin's for this meal, including the tortillas from Costco that you cook yourself, guacamole, salsa, cheese, black beans, and homemade corn tortilla strips. It was very fun and pretty simple to put together.

Cafe Rio Pork or Beef
2 pork tenderloin, or 1 large pork roast OR 1 3 lb. chuck beef roast
1 16 oz. bottle of Pace Salsa
1c. of brown sugar

Put in crock pot and cook 8 hours. Shred meat and cook an additional hour.
Serve on Tortillas or in Salad.


Cafe Rio Chicken
1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic—minced (I omitted this)
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.


Cafe Rio Rice
3 c water
4 t chicken bouillon
4 t garlic –minced
½ bunch cilantro
1 can green chiles—or equivalent fresh
¾ t salt
1 T butter
½ onion
3 c rice (see note)

Blend cilantro, green chiles and onion together in food processor. Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients, simmer covered 30 minutes.


Pico de Gallo
4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t lime juice
1 t salt1/2 t pepper
Mix all together.


Tomatillo Dressing
3 Tomatillos, cut in chunks
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 pkg. Ranch Dressing
1c. chopped cilantro
1 c. mayo
1 clove garlic (minced or pressed)

Blend in a blender until smooth.


Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 c. fresh chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 small jalepeno, seeded & diced

Combine in blender or food processor.