Rio Station Restaurant

I've eaten here a few times and it was always good. But this time was a different story. The service was okay, but the food was a big disappointment. I ordered the prime rib, and it was the toughest prime rib I've ever had. It was not cooked well done, so I'm not sure what the problem was. My brother order a NY strip and said it was only okay. My mom ordered the pork loin, but when it came out it wasn't a pork loin, it was pork cutlets. None of us were satisfied. I was the rating system allowed half stars because this experience was really 2.5.

oh.... and the place where they sat us was near the bathrooms and the hallway there was blasting A/C. It must have been 55 degrees and we were getting a draft. It was almost unbearable. The whole experience was just blah.

Based on the advice of a fellow Yelper, I stopped by Rio Station for some dinner before continuing down to Cape May. After parking in the gravel lot, I decided to eat at the bar versus the larger restaurant. No matter since it was the same menu, plus an additional (and more affordable) bar menu.

Apparently this place is famous for its crab cakes, so when in Rome...I mean Rio, I decided to give their broiled Crab Cake Sandwich a go. But first I started with a cup of clam chowder to get things going. Very nicely, I might add. When the sandwich arrived, I was impressed with the size of the crab cake and even more impressed with the tenderness and taste.

Yep, their reputation is justified and deserved. Nicely done.

The service we received was excellent and that is the only reason the place got 3 stars.  The food is expensive and frozen quality.  The bread placed on the table was awful; stale, possibly frozen and left out overnight. The salad was the only fresh item I tasted.  Dinner for three (2 ordered the cheapest steaks on the menu, one ordered a burger), and two appetizers came to a whopping $80!  Will not go back; the quality for the prices charged is just not there.