Photos: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, the subject of this week's review

Is it possible to change your food reputation after 25 years? The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is certainly trying to. For decades, the Colorado-based chain was known for its boozy margaritas, but by last summer, that was no longer enough. So the managers moved back into the kitchen to try...

By Laura Shunk

March 14, 2012

Audio By Carbonatix

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Is it possible to change your food reputation after 25 years? The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant is certainly trying to. For decades, the Colorado-based chain was known for its boozy margaritas, but by last summer, that was no longer enough. So the managers moved back into the kitchen to try to improve a menu that had a rep for mediocrity...at best.

As I write in my review this week, the LoDo location still has a way to go -- but the restaurant has certainly made progress, and there are some decent dishes that are definitely worth consuming....but don't forget the drinks. Here, to go with the story, is a side of photos:

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Laura Shunk was Westword's restaurant critic from 2010 to 2012; she's also been food editor at the Village Voice and a dining columnist in Beijing. Her toughest assignment had her drinking ten martinis and eating ten Caesar salads over the course of 48 hours. She still drinks martinis, but remains lukewarm on Caesar salads.

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