Riviera Maya served its last meals in its location at 2258 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
However, according to owner Francisco Araiza, the Mexican restaurant hopes to be up and running in its new location – just a block away – by mid to late August.
Araiza says the decision to move his restaurant to the former Midwest Diner site at 2321 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. was primarily financial.
"We’re downsizing a little bit," he says, noting that he’s paid attention to the growth in Bay View over the past 15 years. "When we first moved here, it was just us and Cafe Lulu. The area keeps getting nicer and nicer, but that means rent is getting more and more expensive. Since we don't need such a big space, moving to a smaller location just makes sense for us."
Araiza says the new restaurant, which is currently undergoing some basic updates, is about half the size of their former space. However, he says his goal is to offer guests the same cozy, comfortable atmosphere.
"We are really trying to give it the same look and feel of our last location," he says. "When people walk into the door, we want to be able to give them the same experience."
That experience includes the Riviera Maya menu, which will also remain unchanged.
Watch OnMilwaukee for additional information, including a formal announcement regarding the restaurant’s reopening, in the coming weeks.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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