Mama Rio’s Cafe unveils student-friendly rice meals

Mama Rio’s Café in Garapan has introduced a bevy of student-friendly rice meals right in time when school is out this summer.

Owner Marie Rio, who the restaurant is named after, has always had a soft spot for students and it’s the main reason they’ve come out with a rice meal menu specially catering to them.

Ranging from as low as $7 to $8.50, the tasty and definitely homemade rice bowl meals include fish fillet, lumpia shanghai, longganisa with egg, pork tocino with egg, beef tapa with egg, pork barbecue with egg, chicken teriyaki, buffalo wings, sweet and sour pork, and hamburger steak.

“I love it when I see students gather here to do projects or school works. It feels good to serve these kids who try their best in school. It also feels good to see customers catch up with their friends and families by comforting themselves with the place and the products we offer. It feels good to serve tourists who comes in to see the vibe inside our café and make them happy with our food and drinks. This is a good spot to close some business deals or discuss business future plans,” said Rio.

Aside from the affordable rice meals, Mama Rio’s Café also offers healthy sandwiches that comes with a side of French fries. They include tuna melt and Mama Rio’s Café’s signature Home Burger. Green salad, fries and nuggets, and cheese nachos are the appetizers.

Everyone’s favorite noodles are also on the menu with beef fried noodles, ramyun spicy, cheesy spaghetti, and creamy carbonara ready to be served.

“Mama Rio’s Café offers homemade meals and sandwiches for you to enjoy while you hang out with your friends/families. It’s a must try!” said Rio.

As a coffee shop, of course Mama Rio’s Café’s morning fix and beverage lineup is nothing to sneeze at.

Just some of the unique hot and cold drinks that populate Mama Rio’s Café’s counter are different flavors of frappes, milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and pearl shakes. Recently, they’ve also introduced healthy beverages and fresh juices.

“Mama Rio’s Café if a coffee shop that offers a very relaxing ambiance for you and your friends/family to enjoy. We take pride of our coffee. If you a coffee lover, you will definitely love our place. We also have variety of drinks in our menu for each individual’s unique taste buds and preferences,” said Rio.

So far, the bestsellers among their beverages are the fresh avocado latte and healthy beverages with direct-to-the-point names like Detox, Freshen Up, and Immune Booster.

“It’s a fun way to be healthy. Try our own version of halo-halo, too as it’s something you haven’t tried before,” she said.

Mama Rio’s Café opened last November 2023 after taking over from the old Café Tranquilo. The new owners then enhanced the place with Rio’s personal touch.

“Now it’s place you will love. It’s more of a reflection of my personality. My passion for cooking for my loved ones and friends, taking in people to feel comfortable. Mama Rio’s Café is not just a business, it’s a home we built outside your home. This is what makes us different from any other coffee shop. Despite the current economy of Saipan, we want to be here for the community and show love for everyone,” said Rio.

In a way, it’s very fitting that the establishment is called Mama Rio’s Café, “because every single thing from this café has my touch—the ambiance, the taste of the coffee, the drinks, especially the food. Mama Rio’s Café is unique in its way of serving homemade meals, it is not commercialized. It is exactly how your mom will serve the food to you. It is served with love. It is comforting.”

As for recommendation, she said everyone should try everything in their menu, but pointed out four particular items their loyal customers can’t seem to have enough of.

“One of our bestsellers for food is the Home Burger. It is called Home Burger because of its unique homemade sauce. We also take pride in our beef tapa, marinated to bring out that original pinoy delicacy and make you feel at home. You should also try the garlicy Vigan longganisa and our beef soup (our version of beef pares soup in noodles),” said Rio.

Mama Rio’s Café is located in the corner of Coral Tree Avenue and Orchid Street, across Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan. It is where the old historic Remington used to be. It is open from 10am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday and 2pm to 8pm on Sundays.

For more information or for reservations, call (670) 233-3388 or (670) 789-8119. Watch out for Mama Rio’s Cafe’s future promotions though their page on Facebook (Mama Rio’s Café) and Instagram (@mamarioscafe).