10/22/2026
Reflecting back on this video with Jason Carr, it’s almost unbelievable to see where we were then compared to where we are now.
At that point, I was done. I had exhausted every resource I had, and I just couldn’t take the beating any longer. I had poured everything I had into Mr. Rigatoni, and despite my best efforts, we just couldn't seem to get ahead.
I never believed our product was the problem. I believed our prices were fair, our quality was there, and our intentions were genuine. I know we can't make everyone happy, but I truly believed we could make the overwhelming majority happy if they just gave us a chance.
But I was at a loss. I didn't know what else to do.
After I announced that we were closing, Jason Carr came in to shoot a quick video and share our story.
Business hasn't been the same since.
What happened afterward is something I still struggle to put into words. A community showed up for us in a way I never could have imagined. People reached out to Chow Down Detroit, who featured us and people who had never heard of us walked through our doors. Customers became regulars. Strangers became friends. And a business I thought was finished was given a second chance.
Today, we're hiring, growing, serving more people than ever, and even finding ways to give back to the very community that saved us.
I watch this video now and remember exactly how defeated I felt that day. And then I look at where we are today.
What a difference a little love, kindness, and community support can make.
Jason, thank you for taking the time to tell our story. Seoung, im forever grateful and to everyone who has supported Mr. Rigatoni, whether you've visited once or a hundred times, please know that you've been part of something much bigger than a bowl of pasta.
You didn't just save a restaurant. You gave us hope when we had almost none left.
And for that, I'll forever be grateful.
