By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – A new Mexican restaurant has opened in Pelham, bringing another unique dining experience to residents and visitors of the city.

La Gran Riviera Mexican Cocina, located at 309 Huntley Parkway in Pelham, offers a diverse menu of Mexican-style cuisine, featuring everything from queso dip to burritos to margaritas. With the help of the Shelby County Chamber, the company officially opened its doors on Monday, March 17.

Jessica Vargas, the establishment’s manager, explained that the opening of the restaurant fills a void in the community it serves.

“First of all, (when planning the new restaurant) we noticed there weren’t many Mexican restaurants in the (Pelham) area,” Vargas said.

Vargas also took the time to explain the meaning of the name of the restaurant.

“The name comes from a Caribbean (region) that’s one of the most beautiful in the world,” Vargas said. “We really wanted to bring a little bit of the culture and the atmosphere (to Pelham).”

Vargas also explained some of the restaurant’s signature dishes that customers can get excited for, emphasizing the preparation process for La Gran Riviera’s food.

“The enchiladas and all the sauces are 100 percent made by hand,” Vargas said. “They’re not bottled sauces… everything is authentic.”

Vargas also described the Maya Bowl, a dish exclusive to the restaurant which is a combination of grilled chicken, steak, shrimp and chorizo over a bed of rice topped with cheese sauce.

“Pretty much everything we make from scratch,” Vargas said. “Everything is prepared daily. We don’t have stuff that we keep overnight… it’s got to be fresh to taste good.”

Outside of their food options, Vargas emphasized La Gran Riviera has plenty of options for alcoholic beverages as well.

“Our margaritas all (contain) fresh-squeezed lime juice,” Vargas said. “We have a couple of special drinks. Everybody knows the Moscow Mule, but we also have the Mezcal Mule. We have a Tequlia Mule and a Cantarito… they’re all signature drinks, handmade as well.”

Outside of the food and drinks, Vargas wants to cultivate a space that is welcoming to families across Pelham and beyond.

“(We want) a family-friendly, welcoming environment,” Vargas said. “We just want everybody to come in and forget about the outside world when they’re in here, just to relax and enjoy the meals and the drinks.”

Along with a diverse Mexican cuisine, La Gran Riviera is aiming to cultivate an environment that fosters community and lasting memories in Pelham.

For more information on La Gran Riviera, visit its Instagram page at Instagram.com/lagranrivierapelham.