ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – There are few restaurants that are as ingrained in a city as Montano’s International Gourmet in Roanoke. Over 50 years in business and they’re always open to something new. We’re ‘Making it Montano’s’ in this week’s Hometown Eats!
“We went from Towers Mall, where we served 12 guests. Now we have 272 seats,” said Montano’s owner Marty Montano.
You don’t add 20 times the number of seats in a restaurant by accident; you do it with a track record of success.
All you need is one lap around Montano’s International Gourmet Restaurant in Roanoke with Marty Montano and you’ll see why.
“We have truffles, real Italian gelato, sliced cakes, pies, and desserts, all these wines are on the menu, all our international beer, fresh baked bread from bread craft bakery, this is our bar area, sort of a sports bar atmosphere, Saturdays we have live jazz, Wednesdays we have $1.50 oysters,” listed Montano.
Not one but two private banquet rooms and a row of awards, so you get the idea; there’s a lot going on at Montano’s. However, this idea nearly floored Marty’s mother when his father Phil told her back in 1969.
“My dad had a wild idea. He quit his job with Allstate Insurance Company and came home and told my mother. You could’ve knocked her over with a feather,” said Montano.
Once mom was on board, Phil picked up that feather, put it in his cap, and started to build something special in the Star City.
“He used to drive a white van to Washington, DC to pick up kosher deli foods, all the wines, and beers and would bring them back,” said Montano.
Over time, Marty started seeing trends change, and prices for the high-end goods lower at grocery stores, so he cooked up an idea of his own.
“I got quite a pushback from my dad when I decided to do the restaurant rather than a gourmet shop, so when I saw the writing on the wall, I decided, wait a minute, so I turned everything into a restaurant,” said Montano.
And it worked.
“I’ve been coming here 20-plus years,” said regular customer Denny.
“When I come to Roanoke from the lake, I come here,” added another regular, Cheryl.
“Our first sandwich on the menu was a po’boy sandwich and with chips and a pickle it was $1.09,” joked Montano.
Now, that menu has evolved into a true international farm-to-table taste bud trip.
“Couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created here, it’s just a wonderful experience. There’s something on the menu for everyone, Logan,” said Montano.
And Marty wanted me to try everything. Traditional breakfast, smoked salmon tartine, Cuban sandwich, fish tacos, New Orleans BBQ shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops, homemade macaroni & potato salad, crab cakes, and naturally a shrimp pasta dish.
Marty keeps his eye trained on what’s popular; again, the menu is always evolving. You probably wouldn’t believe it but there are even ramen and poke bowls!
“When I see an established trend and it seems to be moving in a positive direction, then I may absorb that onto my menu,” said Montano.
Don’t you dare walk out without a tower of cheesecake. In all, Marty had more than 50 different dishes, drinks, desserts on display for the Hometown Eats filming. The most I’ve ever seen in the now two-plus years shooting this series!
“It’s the atmosphere, it’s the food, the ownership, they just make you feel like you’re at home,” said Denny.
“I love the food here, it’s delicious,” said regular customer Betty.
“Literally a plethora of items that you’ll love,” added Montano.
Montano’s, a hometown eat with worldwide flavor and small-town hospitality.
Montano’s is located at 3733 Franklin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA 24014 and open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Montano’s also offers a variety of catering options.
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Dining and Cooking