Monteleone’s Ristorante, located near I-10, is renowned for its whimsical decor and lasagna, but it also carries a reputation for being haunted.
The restaurant, owned by Laura Benavides, has been in operation for 24 years and has become a local favorite not only for its food but also for its eerie tales. Visitors are drawn to the establishment not just for its culinary delights but also for the stories of supernatural occurrences that have been reported over the years.
“At first, I was actually a skeptic,” said Benavides. “I didn’t really believe things could happen the way they’ve happened here, but we’ve learned quite a bit since we’ve been here.”
One of the most intriguing stories involves a Native American ghost reportedly seen by a construction worker during a remodel. The worker described the apparition as having long braids, a white shirt, and brown pants, but noted that its eyes and feet were missing.
Another mysterious occurrence involves a statue of the Virgin Mary found during renovations. The statue, which has a broken base, is said to move on its own, allegedly due to the presence of a spirit named Evelyn, a gambler who supposedly does not want the statue to see her.
Laura shared that while not everyone experiences these phenomena, her own encounters have made her a believer in the supernatural aspects of the restaurant.
As Halloween approaches, Monteleone’s Ristorante continues to attract both food enthusiasts and those curious about its haunted reputation. With its combination of delicious cuisine and ghostly tales, the restaurant offers a unique experience for all who visit.
For the full fright experience, don’t miss KTSM’s 30-minute special of Monteleone’s tour. Stream it exclusively on our KTSM+ app. Catch the special at 10:35 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTSM. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTSM staff before being published.
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