avatar

Hidelisa Mateo

July 14, 2011 posted 311 days ago Faces Victoria Hinojosa

Before the recent influx of singles and families, Hidelisa Mateo knew Hoboken had a lot to offer 40 years ago, when she moved into town to raise her family. While this mother of three may not live in Hoboken anymore, she still works in town and will always be a Hobokenite at heart.

Hidelisa remembers Hoboken as a nice, safe town where her kids grew up, got their education and graduated from Hoboken High. She notices that not much has changed over the years, although there are a few things she would like to bring back. For Hidelisa, a variety of stores was one of the great attractions of Hoboken. “There used to be a lot of stores you could go to shop- we need more again.” Hidelisa also believes that Hoboken needs their own public swimming pool, saying “We used to have a couple of them for kids. A pool would be a great addition to Hoboken”.

Even though Hidelisa recently moved to Bayonne, she still finds herself in Hoboken during the week when she takes the quick train ride into the city to work her job as a receptionist at Hoboken MRI. Hoboken is still a great place for this self-described “talkative and friendly” working woman. One of her favorite things about Hoboken (besides the easy commute) is meeting new people. She’s able to put her gift of gab to use when walking the pier on her lunch break- another thing she loves about Hoboken. She says, “My kids tell me, ‘you always have to talk to someone, you always have something to say!’”

Her kids may give her a hard time, but family is the most important thing to Hidelisa. She often finds herself in town on weekends visiting her son who still lives in his hometown. They bond over their shared love of food and cooking, something Hidelisa definitely passed along to her offspring. Hidelisa has many hobbies that include sewing and swimming, but she lights up the most when discussing her passion for cooking. “I’m a great cook! My favorite food to cook is Spanish food- arroz con andouille- I also like to do pastas. And bake!” I think it’s safe to say her children were well-fed growing up!

When she’s not busy spending time with her family, cooking, or tackling one of her many other hobbies, Hidelisa enjoys trying the overwhelming assortment of restaurants crammed into the square mile. “I love that there are plenty of places to eat and a variety of food to try. Saffron used to be my favorite restaurant before it closed. Seattle Cafe is one of my favorites now.” Seattle Cafe may be one of Hidelisa’s favorite eateries in town, but for her husband, nothing can hold a candle to Johnny Rockets. “He loves Johnny Rockets, he always wants to eat there. I told him he needs to buy their stock!”

For Hidelisa, Hoboken will always hold life-long memories of starting and raising a family. It’s a place she’ll remember as safe and bursting with opportunities. Even though she’s only here for work and occasional visits, Hoboken will always have something to offer her fun and smart personality.

Every week hMAG posts Faces articles featuring someone from the community because, after all, hMAG is all about the community.

Do you know someone we should interview for an upcoming article? Pitch your idea to editorial@hmag.com and we might include you or someone you know on hmag.com or an upcoming issue of the magazine!

All candidates MUST live or work in Hoboken and agree to have their picture posted.



beatles

h Abroad Liverpool

December 6, 2011 posted 166 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

Thursday I went to the homeland of the Beatles- Liverpool. Anyone who is a Beatles fan and ever finds themselves in England must make it..


1

h Abroad Cinque Terre

November 18, 2011 posted 184 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

Cinque Terre (pronounced CHEEN-quay) is the most beautiful coastal area I've been to. And probably the most beautiful place I saw during my 10 days in Italy..


italy-small

h Abroad Chianti

November 10, 2011 posted 192 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

My third day in Florence was spent in the Tuscan country side of Chianti, which I got to see from a vespa. Yes, I drove a..


fountain

h Abroad Florence

November 5, 2011 posted 197 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

First order of business let me apologize for taking so long to post a blog. Not only have I been swamped with school work since I got back, writing about Italy has been an intimidating task..


pic1

h Abroad Oktoberfest!

October 6, 2011 posted 227 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

Oktoberfest is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I don't even know where to begin so I'll just start with getting to the campsite. Campsite? That's right, my friend..


stonehenge

h Abroad Stonehenge & Salisbury

September 28, 2011 posted 235 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

This past Friday I went on a day trip to Stonehenge. Everyone knows from pictures that Stonehenge is a bunch of really big rocks stacked on top of each other. In person Stonehenge is still a bunch..


church

h Abroad Some Churches & Parliament

September 26, 2011 posted 237 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

One thing I forgot in my last post was Parliament. Last week for one of my classes we took a tour of Parliament. To be honest I don’t remember much from the tour, except there were a lot of old..


london

h Abroad Brighton Beach & More London

September 19, 2011 posted 244 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

London is still pretty awesome. It’s about to be my third week of classes though, and I’m starting to realize how much work I actually have to do…but I can’t complain..


london-tower-bridge

h Abroad London, Week 1

September 11, 2011 posted 252 days ago h Abroad Victoria Hinojosa

I’ve been in London exactly a week now and. I. LOVE. It. Londoners are probably the nicest people (after Canadians), and they make their city..


ricardo-roig

Faces Ricardo Roig

August 25, 2011 posted 269 days ago Faces Victoria Hinojosa

For many Hoboken residents, Ricardo Roig is probably a familiar face. With his enthusiastic personality and original paintings throughout town, this outgoing artist is leaving..



feature-thumb

Feature Hoboken’s Two-Wheeled Men

March 22, 2012 posted 59 days ago Feature Jessica Rosero

A majority of the club members ride a Harley, which originally was the bike you needed to have to join the club, but is now open to all American bikes. Chipper, who was first inspired to ride by the movie “Easy Rider,” got his first Harley in 1972, which he still has in mint condition...


daisyphilthumb2

Faces Daisy and Phil Erdaide

January 19, 2012 posted 122 days ago Faces Diana Schwaeble

The shop is named for their daughter Sedona.


heritage

Heritage The Hoboken Public Library

October 3, 2011 posted 230 days ago Heritage Melissa Melms

The third oldest library in the state of New Jersey, the Hoboken Public Library (HPL) celebrates its impressive 120th anniversary this October. To mark...


out-of-dodge

Out of Dodge Wine Country, Long Island

October 3, 2011 posted 230 days ago Out of Dodge Melissa Melms

Summer is officially over, the leaves are changing, and weekend trips “down the Shore” just won’t do the trick anymore. For a quick weekend getaway that won’t break...


rag

Raves Ragamuffin Parade

October 3, 2011 posted 230 days ago Raves

For many in the Mile Square City there’s a little parade on the first Saturday of March that spooks the town. But, for those with mini-goblins, it’s...




Write for hMAG
4,877 Members
575 Articles
43 Writers
15 Issues
2036 Twitter Followers

Join hMAG's 4,877 Members

Melting Pot