In the heart of Reading, Pennsylvania, where the rhythms of Latino culture pulse through neighborhoods and storefronts, Mofongo Restaurant stands as both a culinary destination and a community anchor. Co-owned by Ramon Martinez, his brother Alirio, and Ramon’s wife Marilu Alfayo, the restaurant is more than a business—it’s a tribute to heritage, resilience, and the power of food to unite.
Ramon Martinez’s story begins in the Dominican Republic, where food was not just sustenance but a language of love and tradition. After immigrating to New York City, Ramon honed his craft as a chef, working in bustling kitchens while Marilu, originally from Mexico, built her own path in hospitality. The couple met in the Bronx, bonded over their shared passion for the restaurant world, and eventually opened a Hispanic eatery together in New York. Though that first venture closed after two years, the experience deepened their commitment to creating a space that celebrated Latino flavors and community.
As their family grew and the cost of living in New York soared, Ramon and Marilu looked for new opportunities. They found them in Reading—a city of about 95,000 with a vibrant Dominican and Puerto Rican population. It was the perfect place to bring their vision to life once again. That is where I first met Ramon while on assignment, producing an episode of The 50, a four-year multimedia project in which the Fulcrum visits different communities across all 50 states to learn what motivated them to vote in the 2024 presidential election and see how the Donald Trump administration is meeting those concerns and hopes.
He pointed to the economy—the high cost of living—as the incentive to vote, but that wasn’t the only reason. “I know the economy was very difficult under Joe Biden,” said Martinez. “I wanted to vote against Donald Trump because of his rhetoric against Latinos.”
The restaurant’s name pays homage to mofongo, a beloved Puerto Rican dish made from mashed fried plantains, garlic, olive oil, and chicharrón. But the dish’s roots run deeper—tracing back to African culinary traditions brought to the Caribbean through the transatlantic slave trade. Mofongo is a symbol of cultural fusion, resilience, and adaptation.
At Mofongo Restaurant, the menu is a flavorful tapestry of Puerto Rican and Dominican classics. Guests can savor traditional rice and beans, chicharrón de pollo, habichuelas dominicanas, and mangú con tres golpes—a Dominican breakfast of mashed plantains served with fried cheese, salami, and eggs. The restaurant also offers cocktails, desserts, and even locally crafted beer, all in a warm, family-friendly setting that breaks from the bar-centric mold of many Latino establishments.
For Ramon and his family, Mofongo Restaurant is more than a place to eat—it’s a space for cultural affirmation. In a city where many Latinos have relocated in recent years, the restaurant offers a sense of belonging and pride. It’s a place where generations gather, where flavors evoke memories, and where the Latino community sees itself reflected—not just in the food, but in the ownership, the hospitality, and the story behind it all.
“We enjoy interacting with customers,” Ramon said in an interview with SpotOn. “It’s something that makes us feel good.” That joy is palpable in every plate served and every conversation shared across the dining room.
In a time when cultural preservation and representation matter more than ever, Mofongo Restaurant stands as a delicious reminder that food can be a bridge—between past and present, between communities, and between people who believe in building something lasting, together.
Cover Photo: Mofongo De Camarones a La Parillla, Mofongo Restaurant
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