RIO GRANDE – Rio Station celebrated 30 years in business on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016. It was exactly 30 years to the day that the Rio Grande restaurant had completed an extensive remodel and held its grand opening just one day before Thanksgiving.
“It was crazy,” exclaimed owner Richard Rutherford recalling the details still fresh in his mind. “We had guys literally carrying ladders out the back door as we were opening the front doors. The place was packed with people lined up to get in. It was a great night!”
Formerly the Heralds Inn, a Rio Grande hot spot, the building had fallen into disrepair and was ready for a much needed facelift. The goal was to create a comfortable atmosphere and exceptional food at reasonable prices. Succulent prime rib, signature wings and hand-crafted crab cakes were, and still are, some of the items that were part of an ever-changing menu.
A lot has changed since that day 30 years ago. Today, Ric’s son, Executive Chef Richard Rutherford III, oversees much of the restaurant operations. Trained at LeCordon Bleu in Paris, France, with experience all over the world, Chef Rick returned to the Rio to help take the restaurant to the next level. The dining room and grounds are also ever-changing with new booths and solid-surface flooring. With an increased focus on guest experience and satisfaction, the Dining Card program allows frequent guests to receive reward points, earning valuable discounts.
The Rio is looking forward to serving the area for many more years to come!