Cornwall, ON – A new restaurant promising to bring the true taste of Mexico to the community has officially opened its doors. Viva Cancun, a family-owned business, started serving authentic Mexican cuisine to Cornwall residents on October 4th, making a long-held dream a reality. 

Viva Cancun is a Mexican restaurant specializing in traditional dishes with authentic Mexican flavors. The menu features all the classics – tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and chimichangas – with various fillings like chicken, steak, and the more recently popular additions of birria and barbacoa. However, the owner, Osmar Amaya, notes that their most popular and well-known dishes in Mexico – the fajitas and alambres – are what truly set them apart. The goal, Osmar explains, is to incorporate special Mexican dishes that are currently missing from the city’s culinary landscape, bringing the “season of Mexico in every bite.” 

Osmar and his family are originally from Mexico and have worked in the hospitality industry for many years. While they always harbored a dream of owning their own restaurant, previous challenges in Mexico kept that goal on hold. Upon arriving in Canada and settling in Cornwall, the family saw a strong potential and a clear opportunity to open their business. They have worked tirelessly on the project for nearly a year and are very excited to finally open their doors.  

The chosen location at 917 Second Street West in the Riverdale area was intentional, as the family hopes to bring back the great memories that Cornwall had in this location and create new ones with the support of the community. The restaurant is starting with a staff of six but hopes to hire more as the business grows. 

The grand opening celebration is set for Saturday, November 1st at 3:30 PM, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Osmar and his family are planning a festive day, hoping to capture the authentic Mexican atmosphere by bringing in mariachis to perform at the restaurant, and hosting a party after the ceremony. 

Viva Cancun is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM. You can also find them on DoorDash for takeouts and deliveries. They can be reached at 613-703-0489.  

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