Watch Mama Rita's on Kitchen Nightmares, Friday, March 19th, at 9:00 p.m. on Fox TV

Mama Rita’s is named after my grandmother Rita. My name is Laura and I opened this restaurant in her honor. My grandmother was very dear to me and losing her was a life altering event in my life. When I look back, many of the memories and special moments the two of us shared were in the kitchen.

I LOVED her cooking. She took such pride in making people happy by cooking for them. Mama Rita’s is like coming to my grandmother’s house to eat. You can be sure there is always a pot of beans simmering on the stove and like my grandmother, there is time and caring that goes into every dish. Good Mexican food can not be rushed and growing up in a Mexican family, life happens around our food. It’s all about laughter, togetherness and great guacamole!

I miss my grandmother everyday and I wish more than anything she could be here in the kitchen with me. I hope and pray she is smiling from above as everyone comes to her new home to eat. I hope everyone who comes through our doors enjoys the spirit of someone that I had the privilege of calling my grandmother. Although you will not see her beautiful smile and feel her warm embrace...I hope you will taste the love that she gave to me.