With authentic recipes straight from Puerto Rico, passed down through generations, each dish at Jibaro de Puerto Rico reflects the true flavors of the island and a first such culinary experience for Muscatine.
When married couple Ramon Rentas and Wanda Medina Rodriquez decided to open Muscatine’s first Puerto Rican restaurant, they turned to Goodwill of the Heartland for the training and certifications they needed to help make the venture a success.
“We love Muscatine and like living here,” explained Rentas, who moved to Muscatine with his family in 2006. “But the culture surrounding the food we knew and loved — like the way meat is prepared — just wasn’t present in the local culture.”
Initially, the couple traveled to access and share the cuisine they loved. Once back home, they began preparing dishes for local family and friends.
“They liked the food,” he said. “So, from there, the dream of opening our own restaurant began growing until we finally hit a limit and knew it was time to go and do it.”
The couple, who understood they’d need to be certified in food safety, reached out to a local friend and mentor, Duane Williams who owns and operates Big Cat’s Cafe.
“He didn’t even hesitate and immediately put us in contact with Goodwill for the training we needed,” Rentas said.
Career Navigator Mario Lebron was the couple’s primary contact at Goodwill.
“After Ramon and Wanda moved here from Puerto Rico they were working in a factory, but they really wanted to open a restaurant,” said Lebron, who also has family and friends in Puerto Rico. “I’ve been in Muscatine for more than 20 years and knew we didn’t have this cuisine, which I also love, so I was more than happy to help them access the training they needed to open the restaurant.”
The couple completed ServSafe Food Handler training, and Rentas also completed the ServSafe Food Manager certification.
“When I met with Mario the first time, I came out feeling good,” Rentas said. “He was very focused on us and making sure we had all of the certifications we would need. He walked us through the process and we felt very confident that we were going to get what we needed.”
And, with the help of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a ribbon cutting in October marked the official opening of their restaurant, Jibaro de Puerto Rico, located at 201 W. 2nd St.
Business has been booming since the first day. In fact, the restaurant had to temporarily close its doors after just a few days because they ran out of food.
“My wife is absolutely incredible in the kitchen,” Rentas said. “She can make anything and continues to expand her offerings through connections with family and others who are experts with the cuisine. It was her talent that gave me the confidence to take those next steps and know we could do this and it would be a success.
“Now I just follow her; whatever she tells me to do. You know: Happy wife, happy life.”
Rodriquez said she is proud of their accomplishments, but understands the restaurant is still a fledgling business.
“I am grateful to have a community that understands this is a new venture and that we will only improve with time,” she said through Rentas, who served as her translator. “The very best part is watching people smile when they take their first bite.”
Rentas says they are both thankful for the support Goodwill and the local community provides.
“I want to encourage others who have a similar mentality and want something better for themselves to reach out to Goodwill. They will help,” he said.
“This community has also been spectacular. You see a local walking into the restaurant and then, the next day, you see that same local back for more. It’s just so wonderful and satisfying. It’s exactly what we wanted when we first began dreaming of this restaurant.”
Goodwill graduates work hard to realize a dream
