Fort Worth Is Doing The Mambo
by David Gore and Debbie Meyer
A review appearing in ELEGANT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Summertime is "margarita time" and Rio Mambo Tex Mex y Mas in southwest Fort Worth is serving margaritas up to lots of satisfied customers. Rio Mambo was bustling with happy customers as we joined them in the prime of Friday night. Located in the midst of the busy shopping center at the SW corner of Bryant Irvina and I 20 (adjacent to Hulen Mall), owner Brent Johnson has created a hopping spot...
Brent was formerly the owner/operator of Ellington's Chop House in downtown Fort Worth, a venture with the M Crowd restaurant group. His restaurant reflects his trendy, comfortable style with great attention focused on a polished and professional wait staff wearing dark shirts and ties, working in a spacious, beautifully decorated restaurant.
We started our meal with the typical Mexican fare of chips, hot sauce and guacamole and, of course, a margarita. This combination gives you the chance to size up the restaurant quickly. Some of the favorite margaritas here are the Mangorita made with mango puree, Herradura Gold tequila, and fresh lime juice along with the Martinez Martini, made with Heradura Gold tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice served "up" in a frozen Martini glass. The chips were light and crispy, accompanied by perfectly spiced fresh salsa and guacamole that was outstanding, pure and chunky made with Haas avocados minced red onion and a touch of cilantro.
One of the specialties Debbie looks for are the quesos, not he melted Velveeta queso but the true aged Mexican cheese mixed with Monterrey Jack served table side in fresh, hot flour tortillas. Rio Mambo has four tasty combos that included on with shrimp and scallops with a touch of white wine cream sauce, and another with sauteed mushrooms and poblano peppers. Although quite filling for an appetizer, she loves the leftovers the next day.
The menu had a mix of hand-crafted dishes and your standard Tex Mex fare. Many entrees denoted low carb items in addition to excellent fish dishes and vegetarian choices. We liked the variety , especially some of the things like brisket tacos and quesadillas featuring brisket that has been slow cooked, overnight, with fresh garlic, onion and poblano pepper. Other notable dishes are the Tilapia Ole, lightly fried and topped with sauteed shrimp in a chipotle cream sauce and slices of fresh avocado, Seafood enchiladas that consist of two cheese enchiladas topped with sauteed shrimp and scallops and a creamy white wine sauce, and the Tacos de Camarones, shrimp sauteed in a chili guajillo sauce and served in grilled corn tortillas with a melted "anejo" (aged) cheese. We somehow managed to save room for a decadent Tres Leches Cake, moist from the three milks used to soak the cake and spiked with orange liqueurs and topped with whip cream and peaches.
The variety on the menu was match by the pricing as well. For dinner prices start at $7.95 with some of the more expensive dishes ranging from $9.25 to $19.95. Lunch specials start at $6.95 and we also noted some great salad options that went beyond the traditional taco salads. The Los Cabos which is a blend of chopped iceberg lettuce, bleu cheese, jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon, diced tomatoes, and light fried tortillas, is topped with juicy char-broiled chicken.
At Rio Mambo the atmosphere is festive and perfect for large parties. Brent is available to accommodate customers as he mingles among the tables visiting with customers, old and new. Once again we find another entrepeneur following his passion for food with an atmosphere that reflects his style and expertise gained from years of experience.
Rio Mambo is located on the southwest corner of Bryant Irvin and IH 20 in the City View Centre, Fort Worth Texas 817-423-3124. You can also look them up online at www.riomambo.com. They are open from ll a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on week days and until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
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“"Great food … incredible margaritas …
AWESOME ATMOSPHERE!
That is what has kept us
coming back for years!"
— Becky Lamberth /
Marian Mihalovits
“"We come back again and again because the food is
great, the margaritas are
great, and most importantly,
the staff is great." —The Schwausch Family
"… our home away from
home … we are awarded
with great food and special
attention from an awesome staff!" - Lyn and David Neal
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