La nostra storia · Our family story
A family's journey.
A father's dream.
A tradition that continues.
Written by Franco La Ragione, for the family.
The story of Mama Maria's begins with the patriarch of our family, our father, Giuseppe La Ragione. In 1979, he came to the United States to help his brother at a pizzeria in New Brunswick, New Jersey. That first chapter laid the foundation for a family journey that would eventually bring us to Delaware.
In 1982, a longtime friend who owned Attilio's Pizza in Milford brought our father to Delaware. As business grew, Dad needed help and called upon our older brother, Salvatore. At just 16 years old, Salvatore joined him, speaking no English but determined to find his way. Together, they found ways to communicate, worked hard, and began building a future for our family.
About nine months later, the rest of us arrived: our mother, Rosalia; myself, Franco, then 13; and our twin sisters, Marianna and Manuela, who were only three years old. With our family reunited, Milford became home.
On December 20, 1985, our father opened a second restaurant across the street from Attilio's. He named it Mama Maria's in honor of his beloved mother, Maria. Her name became the heart of our business, a connection to our roots and a reminder of the importance of family.
Years later, after spending a summer working on the Ocean City boardwalk, Salvatore returned with a dream of bringing our family's restaurant to the beach. On March 1, 1993, we opened Mama Maria's in Dewey Beach, beginning a new chapter along the Delaware coast.
In 1995, we closed Attilio's Pizza to focus on the two restaurants carrying our family's own name. Another milestone followed in April 2017: after more than 30 years of leasing, we built our own center in Milford, where Mama Maria's stands today.
Today, we, Salvatore and Franco, proudly continue to operate both restaurants, carrying forward the dream our father began nearly 50 years ago. What started with his hard work and determination has become a family legacy, and a milestone we are proud to share with you.
Le tappe · The milestones
Nearly fifty years, one name.
- 1979
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Giuseppe La Ragione comes to the United States to help his brother at a pizzeria.
- 1982
Milford, Delaware
A friend who owns Attilio's Pizza brings Giuseppe to Delaware. Salvatore, sixteen and speaking no English, joins him.
- 1983
The family is reunited
Rosalia, Franco and the twins, Marianna and Manuela, arrive about nine months later. Milford becomes home.
- 1985
Mama Maria's opens
December 20. Giuseppe opens across the street from Attilio's and names it for his mother, Maria.
- 1993
Dewey Beach
March 1. After a summer on the Ocean City boardwalk, Salvatore brings the family restaurant to the Delaware coast.
- 1995
One name
Attilio's closes so the family can focus on the two restaurants carrying its own name.
- 2017
Our own center
April. After more than 30 years of leasing, the family builds the La Ragione Building in Milford, where Mama Maria's stands today.
- 2020
Professional Citizens of the Year
Franco and Sal are honored by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford.
- Oggi
Today
Salvatore and Franco run both restaurants, carrying forward the dream their father began nearly fifty years ago.
Grazie · Thank you
To the Milford community and our Delaware beach community: thank you for supporting our family's business throughout the years. Every visit, every shared meal, and every celebration has helped make this journey possible. We are deeply grateful to the generations of guests who have welcomed us into their lives and made Mama Maria's part of their own family traditions.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to every member of our staff, past and present, who has been part of this journey. Your hard work, dedication, and care for our guests have helped us become who we are today. From our kitchens to our dining rooms, each of you has played a part in the Mama Maria's story, and we are grateful for everything you have contributed.
From our family to yours, thank you for being part of our story. We look forward to welcoming you for many years to come.
Salvatore & Franco La RagioneMama Maria's Italian Restaurant · Milford & Dewey Beach