Frederic Melton
Cafe Rio is a restaurant chain that serves Mexican cuisine, including burritos, salads, and queso. The chain has locations in Utah and surrounding states. The exact cheese that Cafe Rio uses in its dishes is unknown, but it is speculated to be a blend of different cheeses, including Monterey Jack, Muenster, and American cheese. The restaurant likely buys blocks of cheese and grates them onsite to ensure freshness and flavor. Copycat recipes for Cafe Rio's dishes often use Velveeta Queso Blanco, a white American cheese, as a substitute for the unknown blend used by the restaurant chain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Cheese | Queso Blanco, Monterey Jack, Muenster |
| Cheese Brands | Velveeta, Kraft-Heinz |
| Cheese Texture | Shredded, melted |
| Preparation | Baked, blended |
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What You'll Learn
Cafe Rio uses freshly shredded cheese
The cheese is used in their famous sweet pork burritos, which are made “enchilada style”. The burritos are smothered in enchilada sauce and topped with more cheese, then heated in the oven until the cheese is melted. The burritos are served with shredded lettuce and pico de gallo on the side.
Cafe Rio also offers a salad that is loaded with sweet pork, black beans, cilantro lime rice, and creamy tomatillo dressing. The salad includes shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, a scoop of guacamole, tortilla chips, cotija cheese, and fresh cilantro.
In addition, Cafe Rio serves a 10-minute queso made with Queso Blanco Velveeta, Rotel original or hot (with habanero), pico, green chile sauce, and red enchilada sauce. The cheese is cubed and then melted in a pan with the other ingredients. The queso can be served warm with tortilla chips and is easily customizable to one's preferred level of spice.
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They buy blocks of cheese from US Foods
US Foods is a foodservice supplier that provides a wide range of products, including cheese, to restaurants, caterers, and other food businesses. They offer a variety of cheese types, such as cheddar, mozzarella, and Swiss, as well as different formats like shredded, grated, and block cheese. By partnering with US Foods, Cafe Rio can source large quantities of cheese at competitive prices, ensuring a consistent supply for their menu items.
US Foods has a network of distribution centres located across the United States, enabling them to efficiently supply Cafe Rio locations with cheese and other necessary ingredients. This distribution network allows Cafe Rio to maintain a consistent inventory of cheese and meet the demands of their customers. The ability to buy in bulk also helps Cafe Rio manage their food costs and maintain their profit margins.
Additionally, US Foods offers custom cheese blends and specialised products to meet the specific needs of their clients. They work closely with food businesses to develop unique cheese blends that enhance the flavour profiles of their dishes. By collaborating with US Foods, Cafe Rio may have the opportunity to create signature cheese blends that become synonymous with their brand and differentiate their menu offerings.
By sourcing blocks of cheese from US Foods, Cafe Rio benefits from cost-effectiveness, supply reliability, and the potential for customisation. This enables them to consistently deliver the desired taste and quality that their customers expect from their menu items featuring cheese.
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Queso Blanco Velveeta is used in their queso
The Cafe Rio Queso recipe is simple and easy to make. It can be prepared on a stovetop, in an oven, a microwave, or a slow cooker. The recipe calls for 16 oz of Queso Blanco Velveeta, cut into cubes, and mixed with Rotel original or hot (with habanero), pico, green chilli sauce, and red enchilada sauce. The cheese is melted over medium heat, and green onion and cilantro are added to the mixture. The heat level can be adjusted according to preference.
For a smoother dip, an immersion blender can be used to pulse the mixture after preparation. This copycat recipe is said to be even better than the flavour of Cafe Rio's queso, making it a perfect snack for family game nights.
The exact cheese blend used by Cafe Rio may be challenging to replicate, as they likely use a proprietary blend from a co-packer. However, the use of Queso Blanco Velveeta in this copycat recipe provides a similar flavour and consistency to their queso.
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$1.18 $1.48
Monterey Jack cheese is used in their sweet pork burrito
Cafe Rio's sweet pork burrito is a delicious treat, and the cheese plays a key role in its success. The burrito is made with Monterey Jack cheese, a variety that is known for its creamy texture and mild flavour. This cheese is a perfect complement to the sweet pork, rice, beans, and enchilada sauce that make up the rest of the burrito.
Monterey Jack cheese is a popular choice for Mexican dishes, and it's easy to see why. Its mild flavour means it doesn't overwhelm the other ingredients, but instead enhances their flavours. It also has an excellent melting quality, which is essential for a dish like a burrito, where the cheese needs to melt and combine with the other ingredients.
Cafe Rio's sweet pork burrito is prepared "enchilada style". This means that after the burrito is rolled up, it is smothered in enchilada sauce and topped with Monterey Jack cheese. The burrito is then heated in the oven until the cheese is melted, creating a delicious, gooey texture. This extra step takes the burrito to the next level, transforming it into a truly indulgent and satisfying meal.
The sweet pork burrito is a generous offering, with each burrito containing around six ounces of pork. The recipe yields 8-10 burritos, making it a great choice for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers. To store, simply place the leftover burritos in airtight containers and refrigerate or freeze.
Preparing the sweet pork burrito at home is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to ensure the best results. Firstly, it's important to use disposable foil pans, just like Cafe Rio does, to achieve the authentic restaurant experience. Secondly, don't skimp on the cheese! The melted cheese topping is what takes this burrito over the top, so be sure to add a generous amount before popping it in the oven.
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Cotija cheese is used in their salad
Cotija cheese is used in the Cafe Rio Salad. This salad is a delicious full meal in itself. It is loaded with sweet pork, black beans, cilantro lime rice, and creamy tomatillo dressing. The salad is served over a tortilla and is sure to be a treat for anyone who loves Mexican food.
The salad is a simple yet tasty dish. It is easy to make and can be prepared at home. The pork is marinated overnight in a can of coke and brown sugar. It is then cooked in a crockpot and shredded. The marinade is discarded, and the meat is returned to the crockpot with enchilada sauce, garlic, green chilies, and brown sugar. It is cooked for another 30-60 minutes. The rice is cooked separately and mixed with lime juice, salt, and cilantro.
The salad is then assembled with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, a scoop of guacamole, some tortilla chips, and a sprinkle of Cotija cheese. It is finished off with fresh cilantro and creamy tomatillo dressing. The salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, with the sweetness of the pork, the creaminess of the dressing, the crunch of the tortilla chips, and the saltiness of the cheese.
The Cafe Rio Salad is a great option for those who want a tasty and filling salad. The Cotija cheese adds a nice, salty flavor to the dish and complements the other ingredients well. This salad is a must-try for anyone looking for a hearty and flavorful meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Cafe Rio uses Monterey Jack cheese in their sweet pork burritos. They buy blocks of cheese and grate it themselves.
Cotija cheese is used in the Cafe Rio salad.
Cafe Rio uses Queso Blanco Velveeta in their famous queso.
Muenster cheese is used in some of their dishes.
