Cafe Rio for Real

Mexican food at its best; not totally authentic.  Actually, I like authentic Mexican food very much; I lived in California for two years and I had it all the time.  Cafe Rio is the American version with the Mexican foundation.  The burrito and the salad are the two things that the locals go there to partake of.  I love the burrito assembly line.  This restaurant is extremely effective.  Even when there are 20-30 people in line, you get through in very quick and efficient manner, which is generally not seen in popular and high-traffic restaurants.  They've got it down.  

The salad that I had included black beans, pork barbacoa, and a tangy green salad dressing which puts the Rio above the local copycats.  It filled me up for the rest of the night and there was definitely oppurtunity to take that thing home and finish it later.  For the price of a burrito you are getting a huge meal or two, one to eat the next morning for lunch.

It is a very fun place to go and poeple watch.  I have not figured it out yet but popular places like the Rio draw all sorts of cats from all sorts of crowds.  Specifically, places like these draw the trendy and 'cool' of the local populace.  My buddy made a remark that could not be truer in an area where the sun has trouble shining a majority of the day during the winter.  "Somebody should tell that girl that being blonde and going tanning does not make you hot."  It's true.  Provo has an interesting mix of people from all over the country, particularly from Utah, Idaho, and California.  The trendy girls from Utah love their blonde hair and their brownish orange tans.  I think this is their way of feeling like they live near the beach, which is clearly the coolest place to live by, even when the ocean is about ten hours away.  I love this town and in fact I love blonde girls, especially the ones that are natural (for the most part...is any girl really truly blonde these days?)  I am sorry but I just can not resist.  I have to comment on what I call a Utah mom.  A Utah mom is a mother, usually of at least two, perhaps as many as four, that is generally in her thirties and dresses and carries herself like she is still in college.  It is hilarious.  I mention it especially in Utah, because where I am from, the women who want to dress and feel young do so in the fashion of the day, not in the college fashion.  Sorry, I could not resist.

Anyways, if you want to get a feel for the culture of Provo, go to Cafe Rio where the cool, trendy, and just plain, like myself.  There is definitely some great people watching oppurtunities to go along with a great meal!

What's the capital of Thailand?

Is this a restaurant or a hair cuttery?  When I used to get my hair cut ( I generally do it myself these days) I would go to Joe's Hair Cuts  back in Northern Virginia or the new 6$ hair cuts here in Provo.  Most places I got my hair cut in were these skinny little spaces in a strip mall type business.  So when I walked into Bangkok Grill in Orem I was half expecting to get a meal with my haircut.  The space is rather small yet it is very cozy.  As small a restaurant as it is, you will have plenty room to fit a small to medium size party and be far enough away from the other tables that you still have your privacy.  It is a small family owned restaurant and the owner and his family are ready to make your experience as pleasing as possible.

The food isn't half bad either.  To be honest, I can not judge the authenticity of the food there because I am not a Thai connoisseur nor did I order an authentic Thai dish.  I guess it could have been authentic, like I just said I wouldn't know the difference either way.  I got fried rice with Asian sausage and beef.  It wa good.  I would not call it extraordinary as it tasted like many a fried rice I have gotten at many an Asian restaurant.  The food came out quickly though and in a very nice sized portion.  

Just make sure that you bring a canteen with you filled to the brim like you would if you were crossing the Sahara desert.  They are very slow in filling up your water and you have to stare the waitress down if you are thirsty.  It was a pleasant experience and a place that I might go again if I were craving a taste of Thailand.