Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen opened Jan. 26 at 9980 University Plaza Drive, off Alico Road near Gulf Coast Town Center in south Fort Myers, bringing an upscale casual dining concept created by celebrity chef Fabio Viviani to Southwest Florida.
Franchise owner Jim Tovey invested more than $1 million to renovate a former Chili’s building that closed in 2023, transforming it into a globally inspired restaurant designed to serve as a community gathering place.
The menu is described as a celebration of American favorites reimagined with international influences and features burgers, flatbreads, tacos, salads, pasta dishes and steaks, along with craft cocktails and a rotating selection of more than 20 beers on tap, including local brews. Signature cocktails range from $12 to $14, while appetizers are priced from $10 to $22. Most entrees fall between $20 and $30, with the top-priced item, an angus ribeye steak, at $40.
Viviani, a “Top Chef” alum and Food Network regular, designed the menu to appeal to a wide audience, balancing comfort food with elevated flavors and presentation.
The decor reflects the brand’s global theme, featuring artwork of the Chuck Lager character in cities ranging from Bavaria, Germany, and Claret, France, to Brooklyn, New York, and Santiago, Chile, reinforcing the concept’s world-traveling identity.
Tovey, who moved to Naples from Boston in 2017 after retiring from financial services, said he selected Chuck Lager after searching for a restaurant concept that blended broad appeal with strong brand identity. The south Fort Myers location marks the chain’s first restaurant in the local market and is expected to draw diners from across Lee and Collier counties.
Chuck Lager Legendary Kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.