For Chef Mario Rana, the restaurant industry isn’t just a career, it’s a calling passed down through generations. With his wife and daughter by his side in Surprise, Mario is preparing to open the newest location of Osteria Mia this fall, adding to a growing portfolio that already includes Osteria Mia in Norterra, The Stetson Social, and Tiki Star.
Mario’s story begins with family. His grandfather owned restaurants in New York City and Phoenix, while his parents ran their own ventures, including a restaurant and nightclub. By age 15, he was already working in cafés, and by college, he was spending more time in kitchens than classrooms. “Cooking was the first time I was able to express myself artistically,” he says, recalling the moment he realized food was his true passion.
He immersed himself in cookbooks and chef autobiographies, developing a personal style rooted in tradition but always evolving. Many of Osteria Mia’s beloved dishes trace back to recipes handed down by his parents and grandfather. “Many of the recipes at our Italian restaurant are family recipes my parents taught me,” Mario explains. Before his grandfather passed, he even came into the restaurant to share his favorite recipes from decades of running Italian kitchens.
The Rana family is deeply embedded in the restaurant scene. His parents still own and operate eight restaurants, while his brothers contribute in various ways, from ownership to support. At his own concepts, Mario experiments with specials, refining dishes through customer feedback before introducing them to the full menu.
Favorites include the Diavolo Pizza at Osteria Mia, the Spam Cubano at Tiki Star, and the indulgent Jalapeño Popper Burger at The Stetson Social. These signature items reflect Mario’s playful yet elevated approach to food. “I can eat our Diavolo Pizza every day, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy,” he admits.
Restaurant life, however, comes with constant demands. “This industry isn’t for the weak; it’s a 24-hour job,” Mario says. Yet, when he does step away from the kitchen, you’ll find him with his wife and daughter on road trips, at concerts, or enjoying backyard barbecues.
As Surprise prepares to welcome Osteria Mia, Mario hopes the West Valley continues to embrace locally owned restaurants. For him, it’s about more than food; it’s about culture, connection, and building community around the table.
“Many of the recipes at our Italian restaurant are family recipes my parents taught me.”