Rubber “chicken” at Rio
OK, OK — I know that picture looks really tasty, but I’ve got something serious to say here: I think the food at Rio Grande on Court Street has gone downhill in the past year or so. I mean, after sometimes eating there as often as four nights a week, you tend notice these things. Specifically, I’m talking about the chicken they use in their dishes.
Once upon a time, I remember the chicken being — well, chicken-like. But for months now, the chicken has been very rubbery in texture, like it’s been cooked in a microwave. And worse, it seems like every little bite of chicken (like the chicken in the otherwise yummy plate of chori pollo pictured above) has a piece of nasty chicken gristle attached to it. I’m not particularly squeamish, but after a while, that just gets gross. As a general
rule, I don’t like my food to squeak between my teeth.
So to the fine folks at Rio, if you’re reading this, could you please stop using what seems to be the lowest grade of poultry that comes off the Sysco truck? Or at least adjust your chicken-to-tendon ratio.
Oh, but who am I kidding? I’ll always keep going for the Margaritas.

August 4th, 2006 at 10:29 pm
I’m sad to say the last time I dined at the Rio in Nitro (it’s always been the best of the lot) my chiles rellenos were still kinda frozen.
Impressed by the ones at La Carreta in Kanawha City though.
August 7th, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Anyone seen my cat?
August 20th, 2006 at 8:34 pm
Have you tried the Los Agaves in South Charleston, near Montrose? If you can get over the fact it is a former Shoneys, the food is great — much fresher than Rio.