New Cactus Jack Restaurant offers waterfront dining and Southwestern fare at its best
A new restaurant sporting Southwestern cuisine and a waterfront location has opened in the Marinatown Yacht Harbour.
Cactus Jack Southwest Bar & Grill is right in the middle of the marina stretch, in the former Coconuts Restaurant location.
The new owners are Vander and Jane Oliveira. “Through the years we had been coming to vacation here and became familiar with the area,” Vander said. “I believe it is the perfect location.”
The picturesque area is a popular spot for dining, relaxing and walking by the water. “The place reminds me very much of my home, with the beautiful boats, the water – this location is the whole package.”
He is originally from Brazil, but has lived in the United States many years, doing culinary study here and he is an experienced restaurateur. He and his family are now North Fort Myers residents. “My family is going to be devoted to making this business a success. We have already made some good friends here, and look forward to spending the rest of our lives here.”
A friendly, fun and family-oriented restaurant is what they will strive for, he said. “We are already getting to know area boaters who have stopped in along with our other new customers.”
In Marinatown, guests arrive by land and sea. More than 100 slips are available to both those who live in the marina, and those who visit there by boat. Now there are four waterfront restaurants in the harbor.
Cactus Jack has a large tiki dining area looking out over the water. Guests said that is a big draw -along with the great food.
The menu has both traditional and southwestern items, along with Oliveira’s own creations. Slow cooked BBQ is a main and exceptional menu item, with racks of ribs, a Texas Style BBQ Brisket, Memphis Style Pulled Pork and the Ultimate Cowboy Trio – with St. Louis Style Ribs, pork and BBQ chicken.
Oliviera said they use a unique method when cooking their barbecue items – cooking over pecan wood with special sauces of their own.
On the grill side, you can get favorites like ribeyes, filets and salmon, along with different items like Fiesta Lime Chicken. “That’s a very special dish,” he said. “It is both a Texas and a Southwest style recipe.”
There are sandwiches, salads, soups and appetizers – including great wings. “All the types of wings are delicious. They are also my own recipe,” he said.
There is traditional mild, Famous Texas Voodoo Wings and a very different Flaming Parmesan with an Italian flair. “We are also starting a Hall Of Fame called ‘The Ragin’ Bull’ for those who love hot wings.”
If you can “survive the ride” your photo can be on that wall.
There are lunch, dinner and drink specials daily.
Entertainment will also be a key feature at the restaurant. Popular local entertainer R.V. Parks is featured Thursdays, and well known artist Tequila Tom will appear on weekends. For now, live music is scheduled Thursday through Sunday. “But we hope to make that seven days a week soon,” said Oliviera.
Cactus Jack Southwest Bar & Grill is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. “Or when the last customer leaves,” said Oliveira.
The formal address is 3448 Marinatown Ln. in North Fort Myers. The phone number is 652-5787.