Marco Rivera
Co-Founder & Head Chef
With 20+ years in professional kitchens, Marco's inventive take on traditional Rio Grande cuisine is the beating heart of Cafe Rio.
12+
Years of Service
50K+
Happy Customers
80+
Menu Items
15+
Awards Won
Our Story
A Family Recipe Turned
Henderson Institution
Cafe Rio was born in 2012 when Marco and Elena Rivera decided to stop dreaming and start cooking. Armed with Elena's grandmother's recipes from the Rio Grande region and a fierce belief that food should be honest, bold, and made with love, they opened a tiny 12-table cafe on Stephanie Street in Henderson, NV.
Word spread quickly. The slow-cooked carnitas, hand-pressed tortillas, and daily-baked pastries drew lines around the block. Today, Cafe Rio has grown into a full-service restaurant, catering operation, and community gathering place — but the recipes and the spirit haven't changed one bit.
- Locally sourced ingredients from Nevada and regional farms
- Every dish made fresh daily — no freezers, no shortcuts
- Family-owned and operated since day one
- Active contributor to the Henderson community and local charities
Our Purpose
Our Mission
To nourish the Henderson community with food that's real, flavor that's unforgettable, and service that feels like home. We believe every meal is an opportunity to bring people together — and we take that seriously every single day we open our doors.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Every decision we make — from sourcing ingredients to hiring staff — is guided by a simple set of principles we refuse to compromise on.
Fresh Ingredients
We source seasonal produce from local Nevada farms and regional suppliers. Nothing frozen, nothing artificial — ever.
Cooked with Love
Our chefs bring passion and precision to every dish. We believe the difference between good food and great food is care.
Community First
We are proud members of Henderson's business community. From local sponsorships to food drives, we give back year-round.
Sustainability
From compostable packaging to minimizing food waste, we are committed to running an environmentally responsible operation.
The People Behind the Flavor
Meet Our Team
Cafe Rio is only as good as the people who make it. Here are the passionate individuals who show up every day to make the magic happen.
Elena Rivera
Co-Founder & Operations
The organizational genius behind Cafe Rio, Elena ensures that every guest experience is seamless, warm, and memorable from arrival to last bite.
James Ortega
Sous Chef
A Culinary Institute of America graduate, James brings technical precision and global influences to Cafe Rio's ever-evolving seasonal menu.
Sofia Chen
Head Pastry Chef
Sofia's handcrafted pastries, cakes, and desserts have become a destination in their own right — guests often arrive at 7AM just for her morning bakes.
Interested in joining the Cafe Rio family?
View Open PositionsHow We Got Here
Our Journey Through the Years
Every great story has milestones. Here are the moments that shaped Cafe Rio into what it is today.
2012
The Doors Open
Marco and Elena Rivera open Cafe Rio with 12 tables, a 4-item menu, and a whole lot of heart on Stephanie Street in Henderson, NV. Lines form on day one and never really stop.
2014
First Award
Cafe Rio wins Henderson's "Best New Restaurant" award and earns a feature in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The kitchen expands and the menu grows to 30+ items to meet demand.
2016
Catering Launch
Responding to constant requests from loyal customers, Cafe Rio launches a full-service catering division. Within six months, catering accounts for 30% of total revenue.
2018
Major Expansion
Cafe Rio acquires the adjacent storefront, doubling the dining room to 60 seats, adding a dedicated pastry station, and introducing a weekend brunch program that becomes an instant hit.
2020
Pivoting with Purpose
During a challenging year for restaurants, Cafe Rio launches contactless ordering, a meal-kit delivery service, and a community feeding initiative that provides free meals to over 2,000 Henderson families.
2024
Looking Forward
With 50,000+ loyal customers, a thriving catering arm, and a team of 28 incredible people, Cafe Rio celebrates its 12th year and looks ahead to new community partnerships and menu innovations for 2025 and beyond.
In the Community
More Than Just a Restaurant
Cafe Rio has always been more than the food on the plate. We actively partner with Henderson schools, sponsor local sports teams, host charity fundraisers, and mentor young chefs through our paid culinary apprenticeship program.
When you dine at Cafe Rio, you're supporting a business that reinvests in this community every single day. That's a promise we made in 2012 — and one we intend to keep forever.
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