Welcome to Rio Azul, Palm Springs Ernesto Gastelum Head Chef The inspiration for Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill came from a young man s dream to introduce his original and distinct interpretation of Mexican food to the masses. Born and raised in San Benito, Sinaloa Mexico, Head Chef Ernesto Gastelum began his culinary journey at a young age. He attended school in Culiacan and came to Los Angeles, CA when he turned 13. Ernesto learned to cook from various chefs he worked for. He started his career as dishwasher and through perseverance he worked his way up to line cook, front of the house while knowing he wanted to be a Head Chef someday. Among some of the restaurants he has worked for in the desert are Jillian s, The Vintage Club, The Hideaway and Café De Beaux Arts. Ernesto s passion and love for both his food and his culture have allowed him to create an array of eclectic and delicious dishes many of which have come from his family recipes passed down from generation to generation such as his Abuelita s Albondigas Soup to the Tia Maria s Green Corn Tamales. Ernesto s firm belief is that every plate must be prepared with fresh ingredients and provide exceptional taste. He is very adventurous with food and likes to challenge the palate by making every dish as if it was himself eating it. His experiences have given him a deep understanding of operating a restaurant. Every dish is prepared promptly and with a homemade Mexican flavor. Let the food speak for itself. His extraordinary dishes will have you returning time and time again!
Antojitos Fresh Guacamole $9.95 Prepared tableside with fresh avocados, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, Serrano pepper, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Chiles Desnudos $9.95 Fresh Anaheim peppers stuffed with cotija & jack cheese, garlic, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, & Pibil sauce. Chiles Gueritos (Yellow Peppers) $12.95 Half dozen tasty baked yellow peppers stuffed with sautéed shrimp, garlic, tomatoes, onions, and cilantro served with a creamy soy sauce. Queso Flamiado $9.95 A delicious cheese casserole made with jack cheese and Mexican sausage. Also available vegetarian. Quesadilla $9.95 Large Flour tortilla filled with jack cheese, Anaheim peppers, diced tomatoes, served with Pico de Gallo, guacamole, and sour cream. Add Chicken $11.95 Add Steak $12.95 Nachos $9.95 Homemade tortilla smothered with refried beans, jack cheese, ranchera sauce, topped with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and the chefs famous salsa negra. Add Chicken $11.95 Add Steak $12.95 Calamari $10.95 Deep fried calamari dusted with New Mexico chile flour served with Guajillo sauce and lemon pepper. Ceviche $10.95 Chopped shrimp cooked in fresh lime juice mixed with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and Serrano pepper, served with corn tostaditas. Chiles Toriados $2.95 Spice it up with grilled chiles to any entrée. Ask waiter for available chiles. Sopas Sopa de Tortilla Our homemade tortilla soup with diced chicken breast, red bell peppers, onions, and basil, topped with jack cheese and tortilla strips. Small Bowl $4.95 Large Bowl $7.95 Frijol Negro Our homemade black bean puree garnished with sour cream. Small Bowl $4.95 Large Bowl $7.95 Albondigas Abuelitas famous meatball soup made with fresh cut vegetables creating its own savory broth. Small Bowl $4.95 Large Bowl $7.95
Ensaladas Tostada Grande $12.95 Large flour tortilla bowl filled with refried beans, your choice of shredded chicken or beef, topped with iceberg lettuce, jack cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo. With Pork $13.95 With Fish $14.95 Carretilla $13.95 Crispy baked flour tortilla topped with refried beans, shredded cabbage, Monterey, cotija, black beans, pico de gallo, pork barbacoa, sour cream, guacamole, & salsa negra. Rio Azul Ensalada $13.95 Romaine lettuce with our homemade dressing made of olive oil, sweet basil, cilantro, pepita, cotija cheese, served with grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes and topped with tortilla strips. With Shrimp $15.95 With Fish Diabla $15.95 Fajita Ensalada Romaine lettuce tossed with our homemade garlic, lime, apple vinegar dressing topped with grilled tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, & garnished with a slice of avocado. With Chicken $14.95 With Steak $15.95 With Carnitas $14.95 With Shrimp $15.95 House Dinner Salad $2.75 Rio Azul Creations All creations are accompanied with refried beans and rice One Item $9.95 Two Item $11.95 Three Item $12.95 Enchiladas Choice of: Cheese Beef Chicken Pork Tacos Choice of: Beef Chicken Pork Tamales Choice of: Green Corn Chicken Pork Chile Relleno
Parrilladas Includes a combination of citrus marinated grilled shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with jalapeño and jack cheese, succulent quail cooked to perfection, grilled chicken, and grilled steak served over grilled onions, green and red bell peppers accompanied with fresh guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, rice and your choice of refried, pinto, or black beans. A must try! For 1 Person $19.95 For 2 People $38.95 For 4 People $75.95 Carnes Cochinita Pibil $16.95 A slow-roasted pork cooked in a banana leaf to preserve its flavor & tenderness with fresh orange juice, lime juice, achiote sauce, fresh Serrano and Habanero pepper, topped with red onions. Homemade empanada with cheese and garlic. Chile Verde $14.95 Juicy tender chunks of pork in our delicious fresh homemade tomatillo sauce. Also available as Enchiladas $14.95 Also available as Burrito $15.95 Carnitas $14.95 Delicious tender pork topped with our homemade tomatillo sauce and jack cheese, accompanied with guacamole, pico de gallo, and chile toriado. Carne Asada with Enchilada $18.95 Marinated beef sirloin grilled to perfection, served with guacamole, and chile toriado, your choice of a cheese enchilada or adobado shrimp. With Adobado Shrimp $20.95 Pollo A La Plancha $14.95 Grilled chicken breast topped with the chef s delicious achiote cream sauce and pico de gallo. Cordoniz Estilo Ernesto $24.95 Grilled Quail served with sautéed tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, cilantro, and green onions, accompanied with Chef Ernesto s Famous Diablo Cream Salsa. Sizzling Fajitas Chicken $15.95 Steak $16.95 Shrimp $16.95 Carnitas $15.95 Vegetable $13.95
Especialidades de la Casa Enchiladas Poblanas $14.95 Shredded chicken mixed with onions zucchini, cilantro, garlic rolled in corn tortillas topped with our homemade poblano pepper, chicken cream sauce topped with cotija cheese.e. Enchiladas Suizas $14.95 Two corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken breasts, topped with tomatillo sauce, cotija cheese, and sour cream. Enchiladas Ranchera $14.95 Flour or corn tortillas rolled with shredded chicken breast topped with our homemade vegetable ranchera sauce, jack cheese, sour cream, and salsa negra. Enchiladas del Mar $17.95 Sautéed shrimp and crab meat, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes rolled in flour tortillas topped with our homemade cream sauce and cotija cheese. Enchiladas Vegetables $13.95 Corn tortillas filled with bell pepper, onion, sweet corn, black beans, zucchini, cheese topped with our vegetable ranchera sauce. Also available as Burrito - $14.95 Chimichanga $14.95 A crispy, deep fried burrito stuffed with your choice of shredded beef or chicken, topped with red pasilla sauce, jack cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pico de gallo. Carne Asada Burrito $15.95 Large flour tortilla filled with marinated beef sirloin, sautéed with bell peppers, onions, cilantro, tomatoes topped with guacamole and pico de gallo. Pollo Asado Burrito $14.95 Large flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and topped with our citrus cream sauce. Poblano Relleno $13.95 Fresh Poblano pepper, stuffed with cheese, tomato, garlic, topped with our homemade ranchera and Poblano salsa. Add Cochinita or Chile Verde $15.95 Add Chicken $15.95 Add Shrimp $16.95 Add Steak $16.95 Chiles Toriados $2.95 Spice it up with grilled chiles to any entrée. Ask waiter for available chiles.
Tacos Tacos de Pescado $14.95 Lightly-breaded grilled white fish served with onions, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, shredded cabbage, topped with our citrus cream sauce served in of corn or flour tortillas. Tacos de Camaron $14.95 Gulf shrimp sautéed with bell pepper, chipotle, cilantro, tomatoes, onions, and jack cheese served in flour or corn tortillas. Also available as Burrito - $15.95 Cochinita Tacos $14.95 Slow roasted pork accompanied with cabbage, guacamole, pico de gallo, and red onions served in corn tortillas. Tacos de Carne Asada $14.95 Grilled marinated strips of beef sirloin on two lightly grilled corn tortillas served with cabbage, jack cheese, and pico de gallo. Tacos de Calamari $14.95 Two flour or corn tortillas filled with deep fried calamari dusted with guajillo chile flour served with cabbage, pico de gallo, avocado, and our homemade citrus cream sauce.. Platillos del Mar Served with rice your choice of refried, pinto, or black beans Camarones Azul $18.95 Gulf shrimp sautéed with bell peppers, onions tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, chipotle, and jack cheese. Camarones A La Diabla $18.95 Large shrimp sautéed in our own blend of chile peppers, shrimp broth, garlic, butter, and white wine. Camarones Al Mojo de Ajo $18.95 Large shrimp sautéed with lemon, butter, garlic, white wine, and a hint of tomato sauce. Achiote Filet $17.95 Grilled white fish topped with our achiote cream sauce & salsa negra. Pescado Veracruz $17.95 Boneless filet sautéed with fresh bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, leeks, and garlic. Camarones Rellenos $21.95 Large shrimp stuffed with Jalapeño chile powder, jack cheese, wrapped in bacon, and topped with our delicious homemade ranchera sauce, accompanied with fresh guacamole, and salsa fresca. Postres - $5.95 Abuelita s Flan - A creamy vanilla custard in a rich carmel sauce. Sopapillas - Two sweet puff pastries crowned with honey, powdered sugar, and cinnamon, served with vanilla ice cream. Fried Ice Cream - Vanilla ice cream covered with crunch corn flakes, deep-fried and topped with whipped cream & chocolate sauce. Homemade Churros - Chef s homemade recipe batter, deep-fried and topped with cinnamon, and whipped cream, accompanied with vanilla ice cream. Children s Menu Available upon request.