Mamma Ramona’s first Lasagna Social, which served free meals to anyone who wanted one, was a success for restaurant owner Andrew Simmons.
“We served just under 100 people,” said Simmons, who has owned Mamma Ramona’s for three years. “I thought we would get a few more people, but it was still a good turnout. We’ll look to see how we can do this again on a more regular basis.”
Simmons said he will consider serving free meals, which include lasagna, garlic bread, a side salad, soda and cannolis for dessert, once a month in the future. He also may arrange a fire and law enforcement appreciation night with special pricing for first responders, he said.
Offering free meals to people in need was something of a tradition at the restaurant formerly named Mamma Rosa’s under Joe Donato’s ownership. In the past, when diners came to eat and couldn’t afford to pay the bill, Donato wouldn’t turn them away, Simmons said.
But Simmons went a step further to arrange an evening of free meals July 27, mainly because of his connections to his own adopted family, he said. Sixteen years ago, Simmons and his wife, Christina, adopted six children ages newborn, 2, 4, 9 and 10-year-old twins. The family came from a very poor, food insecure background, Simmons said.
“Now that I have a restaurant and I see we’re post-COVID with high inflation, and a lot of people are struggling to make ends meet, I thought it would be fun to give them a restaurant experience,” Simmons said. “Customers can come and pay what they can afford or not pay at all. There’s no guilt, there’s no shame.”
Karen Faught of Ramona heard about the Lasagna Social from the 91-year-old client she cares for who saw the announcement on Facebook. She said she thought it was a great idea and thought it might be even more successful if it was held on Thursday nights, the Ramona American Graffiti Cruise Nights.
“Financially, we all need a break and I think it is a great social event,” Faught said while finishing her salad. “I’m always looking for social things because I’m single. If they did this regularly then I could invite people.”
Ramona resident Siarah Castillo had dinner with her partner, Julio Oropeza, and daughter Kambrya Castillo, 7. Siarah Castillo said she thought it was a “super neat” idea to help people who are having a tough time financially.
“This definitely brings people together,” she said. “Especially if you’re low-income it’s hard to get out. This helps people get out and come together.”
Other diners that night were Ramona resident Michael Martin, who came with his wife, Jody, daughter, Lorena, and their two friends, Cheryl and Tony Harne, also of Ramona.
“It’s a wonderful idea,” said Michael Martin, whose group planned to pay more than the menu price to help the restaurant. “I would love to see other restaurants do it on a rotation basis.”
