Today we’d like to introduce you to Jim Leone
Hi Jim, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Leone’s Italian Ristorante is more than just a restaurant—it’s the culmination of decades of family tradition, culinary passion, and a deep-rooted love for Italian-American cooking. Led by the Leone Family—Jim, Anne-Marie, and their sons, Kevin and Stephen—alongside Executive Chef Justin Falcone, Leone’s brings authentic Italian flavors and warm hospitality to the heart of Conway, SC.
Jim Leone’s journey in the restaurant industry began in 1987 when he opened the original Leone’s Italian Restaurant in New Jersey. A former firefighter, Jim balanced his service to the community with his passion for food, running multiple successful restaurants, pizzerias, and bagel shops over the years. After relocating to South Carolina and opening Leone’s Italian Deli, the overwhelming response from the community inspired the Leone Family to take the next step—bringing a full-service Italian dining experience to Conway.
Executive Chef Justin Falcone grew up in the restaurant world, working in his family’s Italian eatery from the age of 14. His culinary journey took him beyond the family business, gaining experience in diverse kitchens during his time in the Army, where he was stationed in Hawaii. After returning home, he launched a successful food truck and climbed the ranks to become an executive chef by 30. Justin always envisioned opening a restaurant that honored his roots, and partnering with the Leone Family was the perfect opportunity to turn that vision into reality.
Hailing from Monmouth County, NJ, Jim and Justin share a passion for classic Italian-American flavors and a desire to recreate the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the neighborhood spots they grew up with. Leone’s Italian Ristorante is their way of bringing a taste of home to Conway, offering handcrafted dishes, house-made sauces, and quality ingredients in a setting that feels like family.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
After getting the keys to the restaurant, we spent nearly two weeks transforming what was once a Filipino restaurant into a full-blown Italian restaurant. Everything changed—the paint, the exterior, the flooring—while simultaneously developing our menu, sourcing our providers, and running our deli across the street. It was full speed ahead to get everything up and running in just two weeks, but thanks to our incredible team, we made it happen.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Leone’s Italian Ristorante, our work is driven by one simple passion: to recreate the Italian-American food we grew up loving. Whether it was made in our own family kitchens or by local families in the heart of New Jersey, these dishes are part of who we are. When we moved to South Carolina, we found ourselves missing those classic Italian-American specialties—the flavors, the traditions, the comfort of meals made with care. That’s what inspired us to bring a taste of home to Conway.
We specialize in authentic Italian-American cuisine, specifically influenced by the vibrant food culture of New York and New Jersey. Every dish we serve is made fresh to order, the same way our grandmothers would have prepared it—no shortcuts, no compromises. From our scratch-made sauces to our handcrafted meals, our menu is a tribute to the foods that defined our childhood and helped solidify the Northeast as one of the best places in America for Italian-American cuisine.
What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity. We didn’t try to reinvent Italian food—we stayed true to our roots. We’re proud of that because it’s not just about food; it’s about honoring family traditions and sharing them with our community. We honestly didn’t know how well our Americanized Northern Italian dishes would be received in the South, but the response has been incredible. Seeing our customers love these meals as much as we do has been humbling and gratifying.
At Leone’s, every plate tells a story, and we’re proud that story continues to grow right here in Conway.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes us happiest is hearing our customers love our food. For us, this isn’t just a business—it’s family, tradition, and passion on a plate. The dishes we serve at Leone’s Italian Ristorante aren’t just menu items; they’re the same meals that filled our tables at family dinners and Sunday gatherings. Every plate comes with a story, and when people tell us, “This is the best lasagna I’ve ever had!” or “This is the best Italian food I’ve had since moving to South Carolina!”, it means the world to us.
We opened Leone’s because we missed the flavors of home, and we knew others did too. When customers tell us “Conway needed an Italian restaurant like this for so long, and we finally have one!”, it reassures us that we made the right decision. Seeing people connect with our food, watching them experience the same joy we did growing up around an Italian dinner table—that’s what keeps us going.
We are so proud that our idea and recipes resonate with the community, and we hope to continue bringing that same authentic, homemade Italian-American experience to Conway for years to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eatatleones.com
- Instagram: @leonesitalianristorante
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Leones-Italian-Ristorante/61570581654975/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=BdPFENhsi6ODNxuO&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1BVgJLg76w%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/leones-italian-ristorante-conway
