It's a Family Affair at Villa Rivera

This week's focus falls on another family business, Villa Rivera, the Mexican restaurant located at 5233 W 159th St. Villa Rivera is owned and operated by the Rivera family.  The name of the restaurant means House of Rivera, and that is how the family likes to treat its customers—as if they're dining in the family's home.

This is the fourth restaurant for the Rivera family.  The father, Guillermo, who immigrated from Mexico in 1976, started his first restaurant in 1990 with his brother George. He currently owns another restaurant in Harvey called El Ranchito.

While Guillermo keeps busy managing El Ranchito, his son Ivan runs things at Villa Rivera. A graduate of Oak Forest High School, Ivan still lives in town, just a few blocks from the restaurant.

"We purchased this building in 2005," Ivan said.  "It was a small hotel, so we had a lot of work to do to get it the way we wanted."

Ivan talks about the unique way they created the menu. 

"They made sample plates," he said, "and we all tried them.  Eventually we created the menu we wanted. The food here is great. Everything is fresh. It's true authentic Mexican food."

Local residents seem to agree. Andrew Gerdes has been going to Villa Rivera since it opened. 

The food is really good," he said.  "I go there all the time, and the prices are very cheap."

Ivan has seen a downturn since the recession began, but the restaurant is holding its own. They've added some things to help boost the business, including an outdoor patio. 

"It opened last month, and the customers really seem to enjoy it."

They also created a catering menu, which features trays of everything from fajitas to mexaccioli. There is plenty of seating in the restaurants, and you can book parties for special events. They have a full bar, and they've recently started featuring daily specials.

"Our best combination is on Thursdays," said Ivan.  "You can get five tacos for $5.00 and domestic beer for $1.00."

The Rivera's don't stray far from their family when it comes to staffing the restaurant. 

"My sister helps out a lot," said Ivan, "and the head cook is my father's cousin.  His name is Cruz Valenzuela."

When the family purchased the restaurant property, it also included a building immediately to the west. That building is the home of Bella Dama Beauty Salon, which is owned by Elisa River, who is Guillermo's wife, and of course, Ivan's mother.

"My mother has been doing hair for a long time," Ivan said.  "She mostly manages the beauty salon now, but she still does some haircuts."

Villa Rivera is located at 5233 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest.  They can be reached by phone at (708)535-2240.  You can check out their website at www.villarivera.biz.