Among all of the dishes on the table on holidays, birthdays, and other special occasions, my favorite was always my Grandma’s spaghetti and meatballs. During this time of uncertainty, my family has been cooking together often and we have found comfort in replicating my Grandma’s dishes and sharing memories of our extended family. I now view this dish as a way to put myself at ease and enjoy time with family. 
               My Grandma was born in a tiny town outside of Dubrovnik, Croatia and moved to the United States when she was a young adult. Concurrently, my Grandpa was born on the Istrian Peninsula and came to America. Soon, my grandparents met and married and eventually, using my Grandpa’s food experience, opened up a restaurant in Manhattan known as Mario’s Seafood. They operated the restaurant as a family business and the restaurant was an important part of the family for 40 years until he retired. 

               Today, my family is very proud of their entrepreneurial and hard-working roots and also very appreciative of quality family time, stemming from their experience owning a restaurant. My grandparents always shared their successful recipes with the family and food is very important at all of our family events. My Grandma always made sure I had my favorite meal whenever I saw her and even today, my family continues the tradition by always making each of the kids’ favorite meals or appetizers at family events. 

– Paul Lubicich

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant