'Staple of Westport.' Viva Zapata welcomes community for 55th Cinco De Mayo celebration
Viva Zapata says its time-tested formula for Mexican food and margaritas keeps the community coming back for more each year.
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It may not have a live parrot anymore, but one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the state is still celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
Viva Zapata has been serving up Saugatuck since 1969, and Monday marked the business's 55th year celebrating the big day.
"You don’t get to be 55 years old without doing something right," says owner Bob O'Mahony. "“We had a band here on Saturday, and everybody said, 'Hey, I can’t believe how much fun this place is. Is it always like this?' And yes, it’s always like this."
The local watering hole has served big names like Keith Richards, Sigourney Weaver and even Paul Newman, who helped Viva Zapata's purchase a liquor license more than 50 years ago.
"He came in and ordered a beer," O'Mahony says. "He pulled out a check, and wrote a blank check and said, get yourself your liquor license."
Viva Zapata says its time-tested formula for Mexican food and margaritas keeps the community coming back for more each year.
"It's really a tribute to the town of Westport," O'Mahony says. "And the locals who support us. They make this place what it is."
