Meet the Fam
Meet the Fam
Ruben Ramirez, Owner
“Mr.Ruben” The visionary of what is today Ruben’s started out with making crepes and burritos at the age of 12. He mastered the art of burrito making and hit up his cousin to open the late night take out joint in Fed Hill. Ruben is passionate about the discipline behind the fitness world and became a CrossFit trainer. You can see him pumping iron at the Merit or on the field playing soccer. On rare occasions you can spot him roaming the streets of Fed Hill and if you're lucky enough you end up talking to him.
Jonathan Ramirez, Owner
Jon “Papa Jons” is a behind the scenes kind of man who enjoys playing soccer. He handles the books of Ruben’s Mexican Food and is the man to talk to about catering. He went into the business with Ruben to manifest the option of creating a long term career and financial stability. Enjoys a good mezcal and The Wolf on Wall Street (00:07:25-00:07:35).
Cuong Danh, General Manager
Cuong met Ruben in elementary and met Jon in highschool. “Coach” enjoys playing soccer where he plays alongside Ruben & Jon. He taught CEO Ruben the soccer skills that he knows but barely masters it on the field. “Coach” & the CEO became crossfit trainers. They enjoy participating in the Christmas fundraiser for Toys for Tots challenge (1 dollar = burpee). Joined the team in 2019 after a random call from Ruben asking if he wanted to work.
Angel Ramirez, DC Operator
Angel “Bean”is the younger and only brother of the CFO. He started off as a crew member at Ruben’s and leveled up to be one of our respected managers. He enjoys pumping iron with the CFO & CEO on his day off along with watching anime. Joined the team in 2018. The second most viable bean in the world (#1 being the Chicago bean).
Lulu Cortes, Head of Commissary, DC Operator
“Mama Lulu” Mother of the CFO and Matriarch of Ruben’s Mexican Food. She joined the team in 2019. As the mother & aunt of the co-founders she enjoys cooking for the family and extends that love to the workers at Ruben’s Mexican Food. She enjoys dancing and being the best mother to her children.
Future CEO
Crystal Ramirez Cortes
Ms.Crystal is a Baltimore native and the youngest of the clan. The true mastermind behind Ruben’s from operations to marketing. Currently in elementary school and aspires to be a CEO. She is the youngest of the Ramirez-Cortes siblings and her motto is “kill baby shark.”
How it all Started....
Our Story
Growing up in Baltimore, Maryland, I was raised by immigrant
parents who were seeking a better life. My journey into the working world began
early, starting at the age of 12. Alongside my eventual business partner,
Jonathan Ramirez, who was 15 at the time, we worked together at Ruben Sr.'s
creperie in the local Farmers Market.
Despite harboring dreams of pursuing the American Dream
through college, my aspirations were dashed when my dream school rejected me.
Like many recent high school graduates, I found myself unsure of which career
path to pursue. Reflecting on my strengths, I realized that I had a knack for
making burritos, honed from previous experience working at my father's
restaurant, which unfortunately had to close due to costly flood repairs.
As a financially struggling community college student, the
prospect of starting my own restaurant seemed out of reach. However, I found a
ray of hope in Jonathan Ramirez, my now-business partner, who had previously
worked at a furniture store. With his modest savings, we scraped together
enough for the first month's rent and security deposit on a location in
Baltimore's Federal Hill.
For the past seven years, we've proudly served the Baltimore community
with some of the best burritos around. And now, with our sights set on
expansion, we're excited to bring our flavors to Washington, DC, as we continue
to grow and share our passion for food with even more people.
The Man Behind the camera
Sean Dackermann
The man behind the camera. Sean has been part of the family since 2018. Ruben and Sean met through a GrubHub photoshoot. During this first photoshoot they connected through being Baltimore natives and sharing a love for food. The connection continued through their work ethic and the continuous support for local shops in Baltimore. Ruben fell in love with Sean's style of work so much that he calls it “Sean Magic.”
