A family recipe, passed down since 1950
Born from two families who believed good food starts from scratch, Mambo has been Fairhaven's neighborhood table since March 2001.
Mambo Italiano Cafe | Our Story
The Tino family roots
Sam Tino grew up above his father's restaurant — Samuel Sr. opened Tino's in Eugene in 1950, the city's first pizza delivery spot. Deb came from a Northern Minnesota family whose drive-in made everything from scratch, right down to the pies.
Opening night in Fairhaven
In March of 2001, Sam and Deb pooled resources with close friends and their sons and opened the doors on 12th Street in Fairhaven's historic district. The community embraced them immediately — to the Tinos, Mambo was never just a restaurant; it was an artform.
Everything made from scratch
The meatballs are still hand-rolled, the pasta still made in-house, the desserts baked here. Nothing comes from a bag — and that's never changing.
The next generation steps up
After losing Deb and weathering the pandemic, sons Cameron and Dominic — along with Dom's partner Safiyyah Chelson, and Cam's Partner Megan Tino— kept Mambo not just alive but thriving, carrying the same belief their parents built this place on.
Fairhaven's table, still set for you
More than two decades in, guests still come for milestone dinners, WWU families make it a tradition, and regulars walk in like they own the place. From our family to yours — welcome to Mambo.