New Rio Tequila Bar And Tex-Mex Cuisine Opens Tonight

The wait is over. After closing earlier this month for a restaurant makeover and redesign, Rio Tequila Bar and Tex-Mex Cuisine officially re-opens at 5 p.m. Sept. 19.

Located at 55 Barron Blvd., the former Rudy's closed Sept. 2 to undergo a complete overhaul including paint, chairs, decor and a new menu. The concept is geared towards comfortable with a new attitude and new energy, said owner Rudy Garza, who is partnering with Alvaro Chavez for the new Rio Tequila Bar and Tex-Mex Cuisine.

"It's going to be clean and crisp. We want to have a great, smaller menu that people can come in and enjoy fresh food and be comfortable," said Chavez. The pair hope to eventually utilize local farmers for their produce for the new menu, which is a collaboration of the two chefs.

"It's some of the old dishes from Rudy's with an added flair from Alvaro," Garza said. Chavez will also add new signature dishes including hipotle sea scallops, Rio-spice rubbed tilapia and chorizo fundido.

The restaurant can be reached at (847) 223-6176.