Restaurant owner Mariya Rusciano is well aware that D.C. is a highly politicized environment in which to run a business. After the pizzeria she co-owns in the Brookland neighborhood, Menomale, was included in an article about President Donald Trump, she said it would be a privilege to welcome the president.
“Whether it’s a Republican or a Democrat in the White House, it is our duty as a restaurant to welcome him because that’s what we do. That’s our job,” she said.
Trump recently said he may dine out at a D.C. restaurant because of a drop in crime following his takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department. Washingtonian’s Jessica Sidman wrote an article on “Why Trump Should Not Dine Out In DC.”
Sidman wrote many restaurants would likely serve the president because that’s what they do – though they fear it might make them a political target.
She cited Menomale’s November 2024 social media post congratulating Trump on winning the presidential election. It prompted a firestorm of backlash, mostly online, and threats of a boycott.
Menomale is still here, still pulling Neapolitan pies from Italian pizza ovens at two locations.
Rusciano responded to a social media post by Sidman. She said it would be disrespectful not to serve the president, saying, “We welcome everyone and it would be a privilege to welcome [him].”
Rusciano said she means it, though she said she does not agree with the federal takeover that prompted Trump’s comment on dining out.
“To me, this move, while of course the looks of it are not good, I don’t see that it’s a surprising move. But at the same time, I hope that we get control of our D.C. police and just handle this matter as best as possible under D.C. leadership because everyone now gets the message: Crime is an issue,” she said.
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