Amy Kaba and her husband Moni are living their American Dream as owners of Moni’s Pasta and Pizza in Arlington. Amy is affectionately known by customers and workers as “Mama.” Moni’s started in Arlington 28 years ago.

“Moni’s is my life that we built here with my kids and husband,” Mama said. “It’s everything to me. It helped my kids go to school. I love my customers, love my workers. We’re all like a family.”

The restaurant is located at 1730 West Randol Mill Road.

“Mainly, we serve Italian food, sandwiches, salads, fish, veal, chicken, but I’ll cook you whatever you want,” she said. 

Kaba said they have seen plenty of customers in their time spanning generations.

“I raised about 400 children in this restaurant, and I mean workers,” she explained. “Work here three months in the summer, work two months for the winter, and all of them call me ‘Mama.’”

Kaba said she arrived in the United States as an exchange student from Albania in 1974.

“It’s a dream because I can do whatever I want to do. I am free here, where I was not free over there,” she said. “I’m fortunate. A lot of people take it for granted, but I don’t. The American Dream in Arlington for us worked perfectly. We’re very happy. I’m very happy to grow old here with my people who I love very much, and they love me.”

To see more American Dream stories, click here.