'This is my next chapter': UFC legend Tito Ortiz to open a new restaurant in Cape Coral

The first time Tito Ortiz stepped foot into Cape Coral was on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, three days after Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida.

When his friend, Captain James Marko, told him how bad it was, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Famer hopped a flight to Miami and crossed the ravaged state with generators, fuels and supplies.

“It was scary,” Ortiz said. “No one asked for money. All they wanted was food, generators, fuel.”

He and Marko did all they could, going back and forth to the east coast, bringing back as much as they were able to.

“When I saw how the community came together, it gave me hope,” Ortiz said. “I want to raise my kids in a good environment. I’m a parent and I love this country, this community. Seeing this area at its worst, I can only imagine it at its best. I want to be part of it.”

In December, the Huntington Beach, California, native moved to Cape Coral with his wife, Amber, and twin sons.

“I felt love and faith in the country here,” said Ortiz, who briefly served as mayor pro tem of Huntington Beach. “Everyone goes out of their way to say hello, whether they recognize me or not. The people here are so pleasant.”

Tito's Cantina is coming soon

Since coming to Southwest Florida, Ortiz has been putting his heart and soul into his first restaurant.

Tito’s Cantina Tequila Bar & Grille is expected to open on Cape Coral Parkway in downtown later this month.

“I want to build a family business,” Ortiz said. “I gave my blood, sweat and tears fighting. Now I’m retired from that. This is my next chapter. I’m excited to come here every day.”

He was originally hoping to have the restaurant up and running around July 4.

“Things felt pressed,” Ortiz said. “I want to make sure everything is perfect. The first time you walk in, I want everything to be perfect. It has to be. My name is on it.”

Ortiz is the driving force behind the menu

What you’re eventually going to find is authentic Southern California Mexican food created by Ortiz.“It’s my menu,” Ortiz said.

“I’ve been cooking for more than 25 years. My grandmother always told me to learn how to cook. She said, ‘You never know when you’re going to be alone.’ As a fighter, I made my own food. It’s clean, healthy, fresh with its own flavor.”

Everything — the tacos, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, protein bowls and more — will be homemade. Corn tortillas will be served “to keep it authentic.”

Guacamole and ceviche will be made tableside, and chips and salsa will be free with meals.

Tito’s catch will feature whatever fish Ortiz, an avid fisherman, catches the day before.

“It’s all my recipes,” Ortiz said. “I will be the chef. I know the flavors for the marinade. I’ll teach it all to my staff. For the first three or four months, I’ll be back there in the kitchen.”

After that, Ortiz will be greeting guests every day.

“At first they may come in to see what it’s about, shake hands, take photos,” Ortiz said. “But the food and the service will get them to return. The food will speak for itself.”

And so will the drinks.

Ortiz expects to have 60 brands of tequila and 15 to 30 different margaritas.

“A lot of the higher tequila brands aren’t available here,” he said. “I’ll get them though. They’re my favorites. It goes with the food. We will have suggested pairings.”

A modern, vibrant restaurant in the making

Ortiz, who co-owns Tito’s Cantina with Chris Rowland, has been busy redoing the space that housed the Nice Guys (before it moved) and most recently, The Spot.

“I spent four 10-hour days cleaning the kitchen,” Ortiz said. “Four days to get all the grease off. It makes me so happy now. You can eat off the floor.”

The dining room, which will seat 80 (with an additional 60 outside), is being transformed into a sleek, modern space with a west coast Mexican vibe.

A colorful and vibrant Day of the Dead mural brought from California covers one wall, while Ortiz’s neon logo will hang on the opposing rose-covered wall.

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High tops are on the left side of the bar, and low tops sit on the right. Fifteen TVs will be placed throughout the restaurant and UFC fights will be televised.

“This will be the only restaurant in America with five UFC championship belts on the wall,” Ortiz said.

It’s all tied together with a chic, black and gold-trimmed bar, matching tabletops, color-changing LED lights and bottles of tequila on display.

“Even the restrooms will have some of the most beautiful artwork,” Ortiz said.

Lighted parking with a walkway leading to the restaurant will be out back.

'Something for the community'

With the bar set high for food, service and cleanliness, Tito’s Cantina will be comfortable for everyone.

“This is something for the community’” Ortiz said. “It will be affordable and fun. I want everyone who comes in to have a good time.”

And that’s what Ortiz has been having since he arrived in Cape Coral.

“I busted my butt to get here,” he said. “I don’t fail. I work hard and dream big to achieve my goals.

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“For the first time in four years, I wake up happy. I go to sleep happy. I plan to be here at least six years while the kids are in school. This is my home now.”

Tito’s Cantina Tequila Bar & Grille, 1334 Cape Coral Parkway E., Cape Coral; TitosCantina@yahoo.com; follow on Facebook and Instagram

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to rhgeorge@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tito's Cantina in SW Florida will be UFC legend's first restaurant