While the Salsa has become somewhat inconsistent, it has been excellent recently. Along with the thick and flavorful Chips, this is probably one of the better pre-meal set-ups in El Paso.

Riviera probably has the best Slaw in town other than at Griggs (and now served at Peppe's in Canutillo since Griggs closed). The one here is usually a bit too sour, but tastes very good.

The Rice has a little too much garlic, but is still good. The Pot Beans are a little too salty, but very enjoyable.

I never thought the Green Enchiladas were as good as the red, even at the "old" Riviera.

Riviera's flautas are good with chicken

An order of Flautas comes with three large rolled tacos with either beef or chicken. The guacamole and sour cream that come with it are rather standard, and Riviera uses too much corn oil to cook the tortilla shells. The chicken flautas have better than average meat, however, which goes a long way to offset the negative features.

Burritos and other menu items I have tried have been less than impressive.

One of the best deals at Riviera is Monday night "taco night," with a choice of several very good Tacos available at a very good price-- currently $1.25 (this was raised from the original price of 99 cents). Beef, chicken, avocado, guacamole, and bean tacos are all available at this price-- the only one I think is unavailable is the deshebrada (shredded beef) taco. My main complaint about the tacos is that the shells have a "corn oil" flavor, similar to my complaint about several other dishes.

Other specials are available on other days, and are mostly regular menu items served in reduced quantities. I find these specials to be just the right size for dinner, with most of the regular dinners coming in portions that I think are much too large.

Riviera is open for breakfast every day and serves enchiladas montadas, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, Mexican omelettes, etc. I enjoy the breakfasts, but I find many of the items to be too expensive (but good).

Riviera's policy of not making substitutions on the combination plates is very annoying.

The vegetable oil used for cooking might be a good thing except for the fact that I think far too much is used so that the oil flavor permeates just about all the food that is served. I do not remember this being the case at the "old" Riviera.

Paintings by local artists adorn the walls, and are for sale

The service is usually excellent. Even though the restaurant has a "no substitution" policy, the servers can many times find a way to get you what you want (sometimes by making a la carte orders).

The big screen TV is usually pretty enjoyable while eating (the sound is turned down so you can hold a conversation). Monday night "taco nights" are usually combined with a good game that you can watch on TV. The other dining room without the TV should be more relaxing, except for the fact that I find the music to be far too loud and very annoying.

Riviera seems to change its operating hours quite frequently, and I have been turned away at times that I thought it was open (even when the restaurant seemed to be full of customers).

In the past I had an issue with the fact that the management let the parking lot degrade to the point that the handicapped spaces could not be distinguished. The same thing seems to be happening again in 2007. While no restaurant is perfect, Riviera seems to have more than its share of this type of issue.