Like my opinion matters... Rubio's (restaurant review)

I've noticed that when you write a blog, you kind of wonder if anybody really reads it (except for your close friends and family, of course) so when I got a request to review Rubio's, I made a special effort to get out there.  In fact, just so you know that I take those requests seriously-- I made TWO trips out there.  The first was after a meeting at work and even though the food was great, I was thinking about other things and so came home, thought about blogging, and realized that I didn't have much to say...  So I went back with a renewed focus to think about my impressions of the food and the experience so that I would have something to say.  Not promising that I have anything of value to say-- just that I have something to say...

I heard that there used to be a Rubio's in Provo previously, but it had gone out of business.  Not sure where exactly it was or why it went out of business because the food here is really good!  I loved the focus on fresh ingredients and the menu is quite different from those that one finds at similar restaurants (ie.  Cafe Rio or Bajio's). Course, I've never been much of a Cafe Rio fan... the food is good so I enjoy it if it's brought in for a meeting but the one time I went to the restaurant itself it was so cramped and crowded that I didn't really enjoy myself and I haven't gone back.  I am a fan of Bajio's, especially the Spanish Fork location, but haven't gone there as much since they abruptly stopped their punch cards and didn't honor those (like mine) that were already punched 10 times which should have gotten me a free meal.  Not a great way to build a loyal customer base, although it didn't stop me from ever going there again-- just not as often. And you wonder why I'm not much of an activist--I can only take a half-hearted stand against something that doesn't seem right... 

Back to Rubio's though.. I think that I preferred Rubio's food over both Cafe Rio and Bajio's.  When I went for lunch, I ordered the fish tacos especial.  One of the best fish tacos I have had.  There is a sauce on it that adds an extra kick-- not sure what it is but we were guessing tonight that it might be their chipotle ranch sauce--and it goes great with the fish.  Comes with a side order of chips and pinto beans for less than $8.  Tonight, I ordered a  grilled mesquite shrimp burrito and I really enjoyed that as well.  It looks kind of plain on the plate (so I didn't take a picture of it), but there is a salsa bar where you can add just the right salsa for your tastes.  Or, if you are like me, you can try a variety of salsas and make rainbows of different colors on the tortilla to dress things up and still not take a picture of it...

Everything that friends and co-workers ordered also looked good, especially the baja grill burrito.  But, the menu items that will get me back fairly soon are some that I didn't notice at first or I definitely would have ordered them.  How does a grilled garlic herb shrimp gourmet taco sound to you?  Or, a grilled portabello and poblano taco?  Make sure that you check out the gourmet taco section of the menu before ordering because these all sound really good! 

So, giving Rubio's an overall rating...  Better share a bit of a disclaimer here... As I've looked at previous ratings, there have been a lot of 4 stars and 5 stars so I've wondered if I'm inflating scores a bit which will make it difficult to really differentiate between restaurants.  You may notice more ratings in the 3 Star range because of that.  Still not very many (maybe none) in the 1-Star or 2- Star range but that makes sense-- how many of you would rush right out to try a restaurant because someone says that it is really terrible?  Not me.  And 3 stars is a good rating-- denoting a restaurant that I liked and will go back and eat there again.

Congratulations if you made it this far thru my ramblings-- you must REALLY want to see what the rating is...  I would give Rubio's a 3-Star Plus rating.  (***+).  Good food.  Nice location (530 East University Parkway, Orem.  Right across from University Mall).  Serves Coke products though.. might have gotten a better rating if they had Pepsi.  It is a chain and I tend to rate chains a bit lower than locally owned restaurants.  As a side note-- they have a nice restroom.  Private, and the walls curve around a bit so it is actually quite large.  Aren't you glad you know that?