The ULTIMATE GUIDE To Southern Utah’s Holy Trinity Of Mexican Food!

For TRUE Southern Utahn's, you probably have a favorite when it comes to Cafe Rio, Durango's, or Costa Vida. They're all essentially the same restaurant, but with their own warriors on each side ready to fight to the death. Now, it's not possible to say which is actually "Better" because one place may be better in one area, but lacking in another. I've broken it down for you.

HERE IS THE ULTIMATE GUIDE OF WHAT TO ORDER AT CAFE RIO, DURANGO'S, AND COSTA VIDA!

Tortilla:

We start our with the tortilla. I believe all three use homemade tortillas, and they're all three pretty fluffy and full of flavor. They all have good tortillas, but there is a clear frontrunner in this category.

WINNER: Costa Vida

Canva / Costa Vida

Sweet Pork:

That Sweet Pork is amazing. It's always a fan favorite whether you're getting a salad, burrito, quesadilla, or nachos. All three restaurants have their own version of their Sweet Pork. But again... Another clear winner in this category. The OG.

WINNER: Cafe Rio

Canva / Cafe Rio

Salad:

This one was BY FAR, the toughest category. I don't eat the salads (I'm not a rabbit), so I had to ask around and most everybody I asked was adamant that their choice was correct. This one does NOT have a clear winner, instead the winner might have won by 1%.

WINNER: Costa Vida

Costa Vida

Sweet Pork Burrito:

This has to be the most purchased item at all three restaurants. This is what I get most the time. But, it definitely depends where I'm at first! After asking around, the votes were almost all saying the same thing. If you're getting a Sweet Pork Burrito, you're going to go to...

WINNER: Cafe Rio

Cafe Rio

Cheese Quesadilla:

Now, for this category we went with the CHEESE quesadilla only. No meat! Just cheese. But, again. There's a clear winner on this one. It's a TON cheaper at this place too.

WINNER: Durango's

Canva / Durango's

Chicken Tortilla Soup:

Maybe you've never gotten the soup at any of these places before. I totally recommend trying though. This place has AMAZING soup, and it's so good that it's probably my favorite soup in town, or maybe ever! You have to try this soup.

WINNER: Durango's

Canva / Durango's

House Dressing:

Maybe the MOST IMPORTANT category on this list is the House Dressing category. This dressing goes on burritos, salads, quesadillas, nachos, and nearly everything else. They've all got multiple dressings, but most everybody is choosing the House Dressing. I would be fine with all three of these, but there is a winner!

WINNER: Cafe Rio

Canva / Cafe Rio

Convenience:

How convenient are these places though? The least convenient is definitely Durango's. The parking is always packed, you've got to walk a ways to get inside, and it's usually packed on the inside too. Cafe Rio is a little better. You don't have to park so far away, but with Costa Vida usually having drive-thru windows... You gotta go with them!

WINNER: Costa Vida

Price:

The category we've all been waiting for... Price. On this, I've judged the price of the top 4 items.