Located in the heart of Fishers Rivera Maya has found a way to be successful in a building that’s changed hands no less than 5 times in the past 10 years. There’s no shortage of Mexican restaurants in the area and they all pretty much look and server the same thing. Riviera Maya does set itself apart in a few ways.
Upon entering you are immediately greeted with a friendly staff member who will seat you right away (if there are tables available of course). This place has been known to get very crowded on Friday/Saturday nights and I recommend reservations if you are going to have a big group or limited time.
Overall the place feels really big. It’s very open with high ceilings and plenty of decoration in the Mayan motif. In typical Mexican restaurant style, you are immediately served tortilla chips and salsa while looking over the menu and picking out your food.
The chips and salsa are pretty standard and always fresh. I always have to watch myself because it’s easy to ruin your appetite on the free appetizer. I always equate the chips & salsa to the bread basket at other places (and it’s usually better).
The very first thing I tried at Riviera Maya is the dish I’ve been loyal to, The Burrito Loco. The $9.99 dish is one of the things I think sets it apart from other Mexican restaurants. Take a 12″ flour tortilla, stuff it with grilled steak, chicken and shrimp, roll it up and smother it in cheese sauce. That’s it, no vegetables, no beans, no rice, just a big burrito on a plate. I’ve had this dish probably a dozen times and it’s been very consistent in both preparation and flavor.
Each ingredient in the Burrito Loco is seasoned and grilled just right; the shrimp are especially tasty and good-sized. Something you don’t get very often in Indiana.
A”nother great thing about this place is their Dos Equis XX Dark in 16,22 and, 34 oz sizes. I like the 34 oz served in a huge frosted mug. I have never had beer so cold as I’ve had at Riviera Maya. I always like to say if you can’t lift the 32 oz mug you’ve had enough to drink. My wife says the Margaritas are very good as well.
We’ve dined at Riviera Maya several times and have always had good service. You get a lot of food for your money and the atmosphere is a lot of fun (although it can get a little loud at times). This is the only Mexican restaurant we go to in Fishers. I’m already looking forward to my next Burrito Loco!
Another great review (with much better pictures) can be found at the “Would I Buy It Again” blog. These guys are covering the city at a quick pace and their reviews are always top-notch.
