Meet Virgilio Rivera | “Pops”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Virgilio Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Virgilio, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I came at a young age to the United States and I had an ambition to do something for myself to be able to help my family back home. My first job was as a dishwasher and little by little I moved up to be in the kitchen. Language was a barrier and a struggle but didn’t stop me from wanting to learn and move on. With my ambition I worked for different hotels, the Queen Mary and Disneyland. I knew being a cook was what I wanted to do. When I decided it was time to open my own restaurant, that’s when the thought process began. When I first open my business I had the experience in my hands, but I had a family of two young boys and a lovely wife. We were committed to put all of effort and little savings that we had into this restaurant and an opportunity open up in the city of Compton. We open in the mid 90’s when this city was recovering from the Rodney King riots, we were new to the city and we were not known, it was a struggle to let people know a new restaurant had just open because back then there was no social media or internet to promote ourselves. We had to stand outside our business to flag people down and promote. Finally good old fashion word of mouth kicked in and we became a hit.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At a very young age I was brought up with the mentality that hard work will eventually pay off . I kept this mentality through my career as I started working as a dish washer in a restaurant called Casa Maria. I eventually had the opportunity to do prep work that prepared me to move up in the kitchen. I also worked at “Avilas El Ranchito” and after some years of experience I got offered to work for the luxurious Queen Mary, I gave all my best to show my passion for the kitchen. After working for several months behind great chefs showing me the crafts of doing big catering and banquet events, I got an offer to do a blind testing challenge against upscale chefs .
The winner would have the honor to open the first Mexican restaurant in the Queen Mary. Out of almost 25 chefs, they chose me, a young man with a lot of “ganas “ spainsh for determination to be the head chef to open “ElPatio del Sol”.
It’s was a blessing, I had the opportunity to put in my own receipts and own menu together. Preparing for my future challenges.
The Queen Mary was big step forward never to look back .
From there I eventually got offered many more positions and gained many more years of experience .
Until the time came that I told my wife that I believe it was time to accomplish my ultimate dream . As I believe a person can can never stop learning.
We Decided to take the leap to start our own restaurant.
Opening up our first restaurant was a huge challenge starting from scratch and with no secure income was a struggle but with the help of my two sons and lovely wife and many many long 12-14 hours and 7 days a week we made to become what it’s is now .
A truly fully hands on family own restaurant.
A restaurant were you are treated as family because you eventually will get to know you like family.
And as my dad would always tell me, work hard “ mijo “ and anything you put in mind and heart is possible with Gods blessing.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Long Beach is a great and meaningful city. Both my sons George and Daniel were born in Long Beach, I meet my wife here and this city is where I first purchase my home. Long Beach is a place we need to take care of, great restaurants, people and opportunities are here. The Queen Mary is iconic historical to Long Beach and a most do if your in this town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would of not accomplished anything with out Gods help and blessings. God helped me through out my childhood when my family didn’t have no money to feed us. He has always guided me in my difficult times, that is why he put my Wife Nieves in my path to help me and support me. Being from the same town we attended the same school in Oaxaca, moving to Mexico at the same time as young adults not meeting each other until we came to the United States, we ended up meeting each other in Long Beach. Where we got married and soon formed a family of two boys. My wife Nieves has always been my support in every decision I’ve made. She has been my pillar in my accomplishments and has stood by me in my fails. We have 42 years of strong marriage and I’m grateful to God for putting her in my path.

Website: riverasonline.com

Instagram: riveras7thst