Aptos Restaurant Guide

You've probably driven by it a hundred times, but when was the last time you stopped in for a meal at Rio Del Mar Mexican Cuisine? If you're a Rio regular, you can stop reading this right now; you already know about their homemade tamales, scrumptious skirt steak and incomparable fajitas. As for the rest of you, I highly recommend you stop by for an authentic and truly pleasant dining experience.

Rio Del Mar Mexican Cuisine is located on the Soquel Drive frontage road just north of Redwood Village and has been in business for 18 years. Owner Blanca inherited the restaurant from her parents, and has lived and breathed Mexican cuisine ever since. The foundation for Rio Del Mar Mexican's unique flavor is a host of old family recipes brought across the border by Blanca's uncle. Federico Ham. Those recipes are the same today as they were when he concocted them in a Mexicali kitchen a quarter of a century ago.

The atmosphere at Rio Del Mar Mexican is comfortable and inviting. Music plays softly in the background, splashes of culture adorn the walls, and the private booths are downright cozy. Coming soon a tropical garden below the deck.

On sunny days, ask to be seated out on the deck. There's nothing like a meal amongst redwoods to the tune of a gurgling creek.

So next time you're driving by Rio Del Mar Mexican Cuisine, pull over and eat! You'll be glad you did. Hours are Tues-Sun from 11:00 am to 9:00pm (9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday). Closed on Mondays.