Tucked away on Gateway Boulevard in El Paso sits a restaurant where the pasta is homemade, the atmosphere is straight out of a speakeasy, and the spirits might just be more than the metaphorical kind. Monteleone’s Italian Ristorante has earned a reputation for serving up incredible Italian cuisine alongside some seriously spine-tingling tales that keep both locals and visitors coming back for more. Whether you’re a skeptic or a true believer, the stories surrounding this family-run spot are too compelling to dismiss, and the food is too good to miss.
1. The Building’s Dark Past Sets the Stage
Before Monteleone’s became the beloved Italian eatery it is today, the building housed a very different kind of establishment. The structure served as a funeral home for decades, and locals say the energy from that era never quite left. When you walk through the doors today, you’re stepping into a space that once held countless memorial services and final farewells.
The owners haven’t shied away from this history. Instead, they’ve embraced it, weaving the building’s past into the restaurant’s unique speakeasy theme. Guests are encouraged to explore both sides of the restaurant, where quirky decor and unexpected surprises wait around every corner.
The staff will gladly share the lore behind the location if you ask…