Is there a Rio in Loveland, Colorado?

When you think of all the Mexican restaurants that Colorado has, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant being to succeed for so long is a testament to how hard they work and how good they are. Loveland looks to be the next spot for their legendary food and margarita.

Former Tuxedo Shop Could be Home to Loveland's Rio Grande

Mr. Neat's Formalwear was at 225 4th Street for many, many years. but closed soon after the company was sold in 2007. The location has been home to a gallery and a dance studio in recent year; it's a great location, right across from the Rialto Theater, and would be a perfect spot for Loveland's Rio Grande.

Is The Rio One of the Businesses Coming to Downtown?

In early 2026, the Loveland Downtown District released its annual report, which listed several [unnamed] business coming to addresses in downtown, including 225 4th Street. in March of 2026, word got out that The Rio would be going where Mr. Neat's was - at 225 4th Street.

I reached out to the General Manager of the Fort Collins location, but had not heard back by the time this story was published.

Four Decades of Tex-Mex and 3-Limit Margaritas

It's hard to believe that 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant opening in Downtown Fort Collins in 1986 on College Avenue (having moved to 143 West Mountain Avenue a few years later.) Imagine the Mexican restaurants that have come and gone since then; imagine all the margaritas that they've sold.

The Rio is a Fort Collin legend; started by Pat McGaughran and his two best friends, twin brothers Andre and Stephen Mouton, they wanted to created a place for great Tex-Mex and Yucatan traditions. The Rio was an immediate hit; within only three years, they opened a second location, in Boulder. At the end of March 2026, the Greeley Rio will be celebrating 30 years.

The Rio Would Make for Three Large Mexican Restaurants in the Area

Having a Rio in Downtown Loveland will bring a lot of people to Downtown, which is great; but when they do open on 4th Street, it will mean more competition for places like Cactus Grille and Senor Rafael at Mexican Inn.

The Rio is One of Four Legendary Mexican Restaurants in Northern Colorado

Whether you're hitting a Mexican restaurant in Northern Colorado to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or to just grab a margarita and some burritos, there are four in the area that are legendary, to many.