Every Plate Fund Spotlight: Victoria’s
At The Landing MN, we strive to ensure our guests receive a hot, nourishing meal five days a week—no matter what. That is only possible because of the generous hearts of our community partners. One such standout in 2025 has been Victoria’s Restaurant & Bar, a cherished local business and one of our proud Every Plate donors.
This October, Victoria’s will mark an impressive 27 years of serving the Rochester community. Known for their homemade Italian cuisine, Victoria’s is more than just a restaurant—it’s a place where food, culture, and connection come together. Owned and operated by Natalie Victoria, the restaurant’s roots run deep in both Italian and Hispanic heritage. Natalie reflects, “In both cultures, food is what brings people together. It’s a shared experience, and it’s food that stretches—perfect for feeding large groups.”
That shared spirit of nourishment made partnering with The Landing MN a natural fit. Through our Every Plate program, Victoria’s provides one homemade Italian meal each month for our guests—a contribution that goes far beyond just food. It’s warmth, care, and dignity, served one plate at a time.
Natalie recalls her early conversations with Dan Fifield, one of The Landing MN’s co-founders, during a time when Rochester’s homeless population was visibly growing:
“This was an issue affecting all of us,” she says. “And here was someone offering a real way to help. How could we not support this?”
Community commitment isn’t new to Victoria’s. The restaurant has long been involved in local fundraising efforts for schools and organizations. Much of that giving spirit is embodied by employees like Lidia, who has been with Victoria’s for nearly eight years. Starting out in Express, Lidia has worked in catering, managed the hostess and food runner schedules, and now serves as a manager. She describes her experience at Victoria’s as being part of a big, supportive family—a culture of teamwork and giving that shines through in every dish they serve and every initiative they support.
“I am someone who has experienced a lot of hardship throughout my life and I know firsthand how far community service goes. Although I’ve never experienced homelessness myself, I have benefitted from so many services in Rochester, MN. It is such a beautiful feeling to be able to give back to those through their own hardships because I have been in that position before. Without those wonderful people that gave me the time of day and pointed me in the right direction, I don’t think I’d be in the position I am today. I want to be that person for others and I am so lucky that Natalie has given me the opportunity to organize this. At the end of the day, food is our common ground–we all need food to go about our days.”
We are incredibly grateful to Natalie, Lidia, and the entire Victoria’s team for being a part of the Every Plate family. Their commitment reminds us that community isn’t just about geography—it’s about people showing up for each other, plate by plate, day by day.
