Cafe Diablo

After road trip foods such as fast food and gas station snacks on our way to Capital Reef National Park it was a wonderful surprise to enjoy real made-from-scratch fresh food at Cafe Diablo. Don't let the jeans/T-shirt exterior fool you, the dishes are worthy of being photographed for a gourmet magazine! We ordered the ribs and the black bean empanadas- a tower (no exaggeration) of meaty juicy ribs for my husband and a plate of lovely empanadas for me arrived. We split our entrees to each get to try both dishes - we both thoroughly enjoyed both of the meals. Before we ordered a couple at the table next to us had told us to leave plenty of room for dessert. After our generous entrees we almost were too full... almost. Luckily, we are professional eaters who know how to make room when it counts. ;) Their Bombe flourless chocolate cake was like a giant truffle of rich chocolate heaven! Make sure to have it with a cup of specialty coffee. At the end of our meal, we took a moment to just relax and take in the lovely vistas of the surrounding scenery. We highly recommend making a stop here to treat yourself to a unique juxtaposition of casual festive ambiance and food that would be at home in the most elite NYC restaurant. Also, make sure to note the garden - we found out that they grow a lot of their own ingredients right on site! more

Concur with recent reviews. We tried this based on a local's recommendation and read that this was worth every minute of the drive from Salt Lake City. Pros: Only 50' from the highway; pretty food presentation Cons: $$$$ for just fair tasting meal more

This may be the most interesting and innovative restaurant in Utah outside of Salt Lake City and is worth a special trip if you?re anywhere in the neighborhood. Though the menu hasn?t changed much since we first ate there four or five years ago, there are enough creative dishes, all with a southwestern flair, to keep one coming back on a regular basis, and each is accompanied by wonderful and often surprising sides that beautifully complement the entree. Presentations are the kind that draw ""ahhs"" from first-time diners and almost make you reluctant to lift a fork. End your meal with a selection of their cooling, velvety homemade ice creams in a changing variety of unexpected flavors. Our only complaint: we often pass through the region outside of the cafe?s limited season and must settle for an ordinary meal. Pros: Innovative entrees with a southwestern flair in beautiful presentations Cons: Short season. Not a place to take the kids. more

We tried this based on a guidebook recommendation while on vacation in Oct.2007. Definitely the worst meal of the whole 2 weeks. When asked to leave peppers out of menu item due to a severe allergy, the staff pretty much told me ""sorry, that's how he makes it."" So I had to pick a ""shrimp kabob"" as the least deadly item from a very limited menu. And it was dry,flavorless and way too rubbery. My husband chose a ""steak"" item. Being from Texas, we have certain expectations of steak. This turned out to be six half dollar sized slices of meat in a puddle of sauce with some sort of Easter bonnet looking veggie decoration (unedible) on top. For $29. Staff seemed to base service on customer's designer label. And in addition to an incredible noise level in general, we were seated next to the guitarist, making any conversation impossible. We ate in silence, which -considering the quality of the food- took 5 minutes, paid our $65 tab (for 2) and left. I tossed the guide book in the nearest trash bin. Save your money, there is better food under the heating lamps at the local convenience store. Pros: One of the only places to eat in small town Cons: Vastly overpriced, noisy, no accomodation for food allergies, poor food quality more

This is probably the most over-hyped restaurant I have attended. There is no way a Mexican meal should cost a family of (4) $100. The entres are $20-25 each. In Torrey, Utah, not NYC. If you don't care what a meal cost, then go for it but it is average food. Cons: expensive more

We drive hundreds of miles out of our way or even make a special trip to Utah from S. California for just one meal at this unique little cafe. The food is fresh and wonderful. Nothing in L.A. or Palm Springs can compare. Pros: wonderful food, excellent service, clean & fun decor Cons: noise high at times more