Advertisement

Continuing the legacy at Mamma Rosa restaurant

Share

For Mindy Abarca, running Mamma Rosa’s was a natural progression after growing up at the Italian restaurant that was owned by her godfather, Joe Donato.

“Joe was kind of like a real father,” she said. “He didn’t have any of his own children.”

Abarca said Donato would always tell her he couldn’t wait for her to take over so he could retire.

“So I never thought of another career path. I always knew I’d be here,” she said.

About four years ago, Abarca, now 28, took over the restaurant when Donato was diagnosed with cancer.

“So I had time to ask him questions and make sure I was on the track to success,” she said.

Two years ago Donato died, but she is keeping his traditions alive.

“I wanted to do everything Joe did,” said Abarca.

Donato, who was from Southern Italy, opened Mamma Rosa at 1130 D St. in 1979. His brother, Dominic Donato built the shopping center it is located in, said Abarca.

Her mother, Jeanie Abarca, was manager of the restaurant, so it was a big part of their lives. Abarca said she did everything over the years, including waitressing and working in the deli and the kitchen.

Many of the customers who came in with their parents as children in the early days are now bringing in their own kids, she said.

To provide the quality of food Mamma Rosa offers takes time, said Abarca. Sauces such as meat sauce and marinara is an eight-hour process, and the restaurant makes homemade gnocchi.

Other menu items include Italian favorites such as lasagne with meat or with fresh vegetables, cannelloni, manicotti and parmigiana with eggplant, chicken breast or veal. Seafood dishes include shrimp scampi, calamari steak, and crab ravioli.

Abarca said her specialty is pizza and she is thinking about going to a pizza convention in Las Vegas next year.

“I think it would be cool to get some fresh ideas,” she said.

With the upcoming holidays, customers can order trays from Mamma Rosa to accommodate large groups.

The restaurant has two banquet rooms — one that seats 30 and another that seats 20.

Abarca hopes to add outdoor seating with an enclosure to protect it. She said she had offered outdoor seating with lights and speakers, but it was vandalized.

While Abarca has made slight renovations to the interior of the restaurant and remodeled the bathrooms, she doesn’t want to make too many changes.

“I just want to have the legacy live on,” she said.

For Mamma Rosa’s restaurant hours and menu, visit

www.mammarosasramona.com.

Advertisement

At a time when local news is more important than ever, support from our readers is essential. If you are able to, please support the Ramona Sentinel today.