“I go to other places, Mexican, but they’re not like this.  I come here when I want to eat,” she reveals.  Frank smiles again.

  “With such a delicious menu, the owners can’t even stay away,” I remark.  They shrug their shoulders as if it’s out of their control.  Which might be about the only part of this business that they don’t have a handle on.

  As Frank takes a call and Rosa graciously converses with more customers, I dive in to my dinner – three large, homemade soft tacos with a healthy side of rice and beans.  With each bite, I’m reminded of the value of places like this.  As I look around at the color, the photos, at Rosa, my thoughts are confirmed.

  Viva Mexico may sit just outside of the beaten path, perhaps like many restaurants in its category these days.  But for that very reason, it should be a destination of choice for anyone seeking not just an amazing meal, but a lasting experience.  As our lives get faster and our ability to slow down becomes increasingly fleeting, perhaps we should remember that just beyond the chaos often lies what we were looking for all along.  In this case, it’s just beyond the neon lights.

  My last question for Frank on this evening elicits a smile from us both.

 “What’s one of the house favorites when the sun comes out?”

  He laughs, “Probably the margaritas.”

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