New Fort Myers restaurant full of old Florida flavor, from gourmet burgers to frog legs

Fort Myers is about to get a new burger joint unlike any other.

And it’s bringing the wow factor.

Florida Boy Burger Co. will open Monday, July 29, in the Starbucks-anchored plaza on Colonial Boulevard, just west of Fowler Street.

“I want people to say this place looks amazing,” said chef Dominick Cioffi, a co-owner along with his brother Louis Cioffi and Roger Lolly ( Floridaboyinc on Instagram). “And I want them to say we hit it out of the park with our food and service.”

They’re well on their way to achieving both.

The former Maverick Grille site , which seats 50 to 60 inside and 30 outside, has been transformed into old Florida. There’s history everywhere — from photos provided by Lee County Historical Society to the huge mural depicting the Everglades covering one wall and the old crates filling another.

“Lake Placid (Sod Farm) used to ship plants internationally,” Louis said. “We used boards from crates for that wall (and the bar). We want this to be our Instagram, selfies spot.”

There’s an oversized fish tank (complete with Florida gar), a stuffed rattlesnake and alligators and “old church pews someone had in a warehouse.”

The theme continues throughout the bold, flavorful menu with apps of frog legs, wings, crab fritters and creative sandwiches ranging from pulled pork to birria grilled cheese.

Add in salads, loaded crispy fries and desserts — including Key lime pie and Fruity Pebbles, cookie and banana pudding milkshakes — and you've got some serious choices here.

“Every pickle, every jam is house made,” Dominick said. “I’m having fun with the menu, with the meats. We’re not doing seafood. It’s gourmet burgers, culinary-driven, with steaks, tomahawks for sure. I’m doing things no one else is.”

We believe him.

Just look at his 14 signature burgers, topped with alligator sausage, blackened crabmeat, beer-battered lobster, blueberry jam and peanut butter, BBQ pork and more.

Sip Happens — “I like punny names,” Dominick said — with its beef patty topped with truffle cheddar, red wine demi, local mushrooms, arugula and a sunny-side up egg is expected to be a popular choice, as is the McGregor, a lamb patty with Guinness caramelized onions, sage cheddar and whiskey aioli.

“Everything is made with love, made with passion,” Dominick said. “I enjoy what I do and don’t see it as a job. I see it like a fun hobby.”

His career has the wow factor too, having learned at some of the best restaurants around — Nevermind , Rosy Tomorrows , Table & Tap, Crave and Sage on 47 ^th .

His chef’s features bring out the wow with a hand-cut 32 to 48-ounce bone-in tomahawk steak in red wine demi glaze, a 12 to 14-ounce chef’s cut teres major (bar steak), 14-ounce French bone-in pork chop and a 16 to 18-ounce Kansas City bone-in 45-day dry-aged strip steak.

Domestic and craft beer, red and white wine and wine-based cocktails are offered.

“We’re red wine heavy because of the burgers and steak,” Dominick said. “We’re having fun. Some tallboys will be in brown bags. This has always been a dream of mine. Everything here is done with love. You can feel it. You can taste it.”

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Starting Monday, July 29, you can.

“Bring it on,” Dominick said. “We’re ready.”

Florida Boy Burger Co., 4480 Fowler St., Unit 110, Fort Myers; (239) 245-7145; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for brunch menu only on Sunday; follow on Facebook for more.

Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: New Fort Myers restaurant full of old Florida flavor, from gourmet burgers to frog legs