OUR STORY

Steve Maranto was born on 23 June 1949 in St Ambrogio near Cefalù, Sicily, where he grew up in a large family living a simple life off the land. At around age 12, he moved with his family to Chicago. From a young age, he worked long hours, and by 14, he was selling newspapers, earning extra during the 1963 JFK assassination due to high demand. He later left school and began working in restaurants as a cleaner and dishwasher, starting his journey in the hospitality industry.

At the age of 19, Steve bought his first business, Addo’s Pizzeria, which quickly became a success. Building on this, he expanded into other ventures, opening a bar called Claim Jumpers and investing in apartment blocks, marking the start of his growth as a successful entrepreneur.

Steve met Ruth in Sicily while she was visiting from England. Ruth, who was born in Knowsley, later became a laboratory technician in pathology. The couple eventually married and settled together in Chicago.

Steve and Ruth decided they wanted to open a business in the UK and spent around 18 months searching for the right location. After briefly returning to Chicago, Steve travelled back to England to continue pursuing the opportunity.

Steve visited Liverpool at a time when the city was struggling and largely derelict, and it was there that he discovered a run down building on Lark Lane after a drink at the Masonic Pub. Despite doubts from others, including bank managers, he decided to buy it. The building had a varied history, having previously been used as a chemist, a plumber’s merchant, a mission chapel, cocoa rooms, and later a blind manufacturer known as Quigley’s.

Between 1982 and 1983, Steve and Ruth undertook a major restoration of the building, completely rebuilding the walls, floors, and ceilings, repairing the roof and structure, and refurbishing the clock and exterior. During this time, Steve and Ruth lived upstairs from September 1982 to May 1984.

In 1983, the building officially opened as an Italian American restaurant, with the first pizza made and celebrated at a special opening party.

During the 1981 Toxteth riots, Steve refused to board up the building, trusting the community and gaining strong local support. In 1985, the restaurant achieved a full licence, Ruth gave birth to their eldest daughter, Rachel, and a major expansion began, despite a vegan protest that saw windows smashed over serving Veal Parmesan on the menu. By 1986, the extension was completed and celebrated with a reopening and the arrival of their second daughter, Anna.

During the 1990s, Maranto’s continued to grow in reputation and success. In 1996, Steve purchased building number 57, further expanding the business. By 1998, the upper bar was transformed into a function room, with the addition of new stairs, improved multi-room access, and a dedicated space for football viewing.

The restaurant continued to evolve, with refurbishments and the extension of facilities, including improvements to the toilets. The Maranto family placed a strong focus on both family and community, with Steve and Ruth continuing to guide the business as the next generation became increasingly involved.

Maranto’s became one of Liverpool’s most loved restaurants, known for its consistent quality and loyal customer base. As the business evolved, daughter Anna and her husband Joe began to take on more responsibility, helping to lead and shape its future while still guided by the experience and input of Mum and Dad.

In 2026, the Maranto family began a new chapter with daughter Anna and her husband Joe leading Maranto's biggest refurbishment and rebrand to date. This family-run, family restaurant and bar continues to bring people together around a table to eat good food, raise a glass, catch up or simply spend time with the ones we love. They recognise that none of this would have been possible without the support of the community and loyal regulars, and they look forward to welcoming new generations and customers for years to come.