Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen Opens in Fort Myers With Global Menu

Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen opened its doors Jan. 26 at 9980 University Plaza Drive in south Fort Myers. Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani created this restaurant concept, now making its first appearance in Southwest Florida.

Franchise owner Jim Tovey poured over $1 million into renovating a former Chili's building that shut down in 2023. He transformed the space into a place where neighbors could gather and eat together.

Burgers, flatbreads, tacos, salads, pasta dishes and steaks fill the menu. Craft cocktails flow alongside more than 20 beers on tap, with local brews in the mix. Signature cocktails run $12 to $14. Appetizers start at $10 and climb to $22.

Most entrees are priced between $20 and $30. An angus ribeye steak tops the price list at $40.

Fabio Viviani, known from Top Chef and Food Network shows, built the menu to please different palates. He mixed comfort food with flavors from around the world.

The walls tell a story. Artwork shows the Chuck Lager character visiting Bavaria, Germany, Claret, France, and  Brooklyn, New York. Santiago, Chile, also gets a cameo. These images cement the restaurant's globe-trotting persona.

Tovey left Boston for Naples in 2017 after his financial services career wound down. He hunted for a restaurant concept that could attract lots of diners while standing out from the crowd. Chuck Lager fit the bill.

Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen serves guests from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours stretch from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.