Downtown fixture Rio Rio Cantina fed millions of tourists and locals during its 34 years in business. However, its owners confirmed Thursday they have shuttered the River Walk restaurant rather than renew its release.
The colorful Tex-Mex eatery on the street level of 421 E. Commerce St. closed its dining room with views overlooking the San Antonio River on Jan. 13.
“Our lease was coming up, and we decided not renew,” said Patrick Jennings, controller for the San Antonio-based Paesano’s restaurant group, which owned Rio Rio. “It’s a wonderful building, and the owners are great. It’s been an incredible run. Hats off to the thousands of people who have worked there over the years and the millions who have eaten there.”
Jennings said the closure will have no impact on the Paesano’s Italian restaurants his group operates on the River Walk, in Lincoln Heights and in Shavano Park.
The former Rio Rio space’s expansive size and river access means it won’t have much trouble finding a new tenant, Jenning said.