Laura Ursini Marroquin and John Ursini at Newport Rib Company 2196 Harbor Blvd in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California

 

“I love the diversity of Costa Mesa. I still live in the house where I grew up – in the Bird Streets neighborhood – and it’s been a great experience as I raise my own family, too. We love that our kids go to a school with a diverse population. People in Costa Mesa run the gamut, financially and otherwise – that mix is good, it’s real.

“We have been in business for thirty two years in Costa Mesa, and it’s because the residents have adopted us as their rib place that we continue. So for those people who come to us for our food – or because of our community focus –  I would really like to thank them. Their support is unbelievable.”

Laura Ursini MarroquinNewport Rib Company, Costa Mesa

 

“Whenever people ask where we are from, I’m proud to say I’m from Costa Mesa. We’re Costa Mesa people, through and through. Costa Mesa is not a pretentious place, at all. Most of us are working class – and everyone is just trying to do their best. There’s not a whole lot of uppity-ness here and I, for one, totally appreciate that. No one is afraid to be themselves. Costa Mesans are who they are, period.

“Yeah, there’s some politics and crazy stuff that goes on behind-the-scenes, but I think that’s really about people trying to work towards a better Costa Mesa – they just have differing opinions on the path we should take to get there. Everyone’s just trying to look out for their city as best they can.”

John Ursini, Newport Rib Company, Costa Mesa