How is this neighborhood classified as "Chinatown" by yelp? It's in a Walmart parking lot in a place white people like.
Anyways, from what I gather, Viva preceded the Lindo restaurants and Lindo ripped off their model with the bean dip and fideos soup and I've had passable meals at Lindo restaurants through the years, but I far prefer the experience at Viva. The food seems a bit zestier. The atmosphere is a little more sophisticated, plus they originated the Americanized Mexican restaurant model that the Lindo group seems to have taken over.
They do have the same overly cheddar-topped, canned refried beans and sitting in a steamer spanish rice thing as the Lindo's but somehow it seems better and tastier to me.
Great service. Fine, affordable foodstuffs, convivial atmosphere. I'll be back...