Monkey Bar Steak and Seafood to Celebrate 15 Years of Family Owned and Operated Business in November 2021
Monkey Bar Steak & Seafood - 1428 LAFAYETTE ST , Cape Coral, with a tagline, "Silly name, serious food," lives up to the expectations of its clientele. The Cape Coral steakhouse takes pride in having a management team that has years of experience in the hospitality industry, which has allowed it to be ahead of the competition when implementing new food and beverage items.
We caught up with Juan Rincon, son of owner Claudia Garcia, who was born and raised in Southwest Florida and now co-owns the restaurant. Rincon chatted with us about the restaurant's history, its unique fare, and the upcoming 15th anniversary of being in business.
Our business is a casual, affordable, and enjoyable place for a variety of food. We cater more to the retirees of our beautiful town, but also the snowbirds. We have a great menu with over 70 items to please everybody’s taste buds, live entertainment seven days a week, happy hour until 8 p.m., and a great bar appetizer menu. We have two different types of atmospheres at the restaurant. We have our inside dining, which is white tablecloth and glassware. Inside is a quiet atmosphere, more for business or a romantic dinner. Our outside dining is a more lively and party atmosphere. We have a dance floor, patio seating under umbrellas, and live entertainment.
Her main motivation was to be her own boss and she knew owning a business would allow her to do that. With her vast experience in resort and hospitality in Southwest Florida, she was ready to take a risk and create something of her own.
I was born and raised here in Southwest Florida. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast University. I am the restaurant manager and recently now a co-owner of the restaurant.
It’s more than just a bar! We serve high-quality food with great portions and great prices. We accommodate events and special celebrations in our inside dining. We welcome families with their children both inside and outside.
We have a strong, local clientele. It’s wonderful to have a business where I personally know many of the customers. They are almost like family. It’s also fun to see new faces when people are visiting from out of town.
What is a common question you get? Your answer to it?
"Where are you from?"
Claudia is from Bogota, Colombia.
"Do you have live entertainment?"
Yes, seven days a week.
"Are you a late bar?"
No, we close at 10 p.m.
The biggest compliment we can receive is a customer who had a delicious meal, outstanding service, and fun while doing so. Many of our customers return because of this.
The most popular dish is the World Famous Blackened Grouper Panini and our Prime Rib.
We sponsor several local high school sports. We also do an annual golf tournament that benefits the American Cancer Society and The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (my mom survived both).
My mom picked Cape Coral because it’s a great city to raise kids. Cape Coral is a safe city and a very tight community. The city is important to me because it’s an up-and-coming city. Everyone wants to come live the beautiful Florida life here.
Saturday, Nov. 13, we will be celebrating our 15th year anniversary. We have a special menu and vendors doing a giveaway.
COVID-19 impacted our business significantly. We had to close last year in the middle of our prime season. We closed our doors for a total of six weeks in 2020. Thankfully, we have rebounded from COVID-19 and had a great season considering the circumstances. It has still been a struggle to find employees and deal with the significant increase in food costs.
For more information, visit monkeybarcape.com.
We caught up with Juan Rincon, son of owner Claudia Garcia, who was born and raised in Southwest Florida and now co-owns the restaurant. Rincon chatted with us about the restaurant's history, its unique fare, and the upcoming 15th anniversary of being in business.
Tell us about your business. When did you open? What was the main motivation for starting your business?
Claudia Garcia (mom) and her business partner at the time bought the Monkey Bar In November 2006. In 2018, the business partner was bought out, making my mother the sole proprietor.
Her main motivation was to be her own boss and she knew owning a business would allow her to do that. With her vast experience in resort and hospitality in Southwest Florida, she was ready to take a risk and create something of her own.
I was born and raised here in Southwest Florida. I earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast University. I am the restaurant manager and recently now a co-owner of the restaurant.
What's something you wish people knew about your business?
Personally speaking, what is your favorite thing about your business?
We have a strong, local clientele. It’s wonderful to have a business where I personally know many of the customers. They are almost like family. It’s also fun to see new faces when people are visiting from out of town.
What is a common question you get? Your answer to it?
Claudia is from Bogota, Colombia.
"Do you have live entertainment?"
Yes, seven days a week.
"Are you a late bar?"
No, we close at 10 p.m.
What's the biggest compliment you've received about your business?
The biggest compliment we can receive is a customer who had a delicious meal, outstanding service, and fun while doing so. Many of our customers return because of this.
What is your most popular dish? And, personally, what is your favorite?
My favorite is the Filet Mignon Wellington.
Are you involved with or do you support any local nonprofits, community organizations, or causes?
Are you involved with or do you support any local nonprofits, community organizations, or causes?
We sponsor several local high school sports. We also do an annual golf tournament that benefits the American Cancer Society and The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (my mom survived both).
Why did you choose to be in Cape Coral? Why is this city important to you?
My mom picked Cape Coral because it’s a great city to raise kids. Cape Coral is a safe city and a very tight community. The city is important to me because it’s an up-and-coming city. Everyone wants to come live the beautiful Florida life here.
Do you have any upcoming events, specials, or new items/services that people should know about?
How has COVID-19 impacted your business? Have you rebounded? Did you do anything special given the circumstances?
COVID-19 impacted our business significantly. We had to close last year in the middle of our prime season. We closed our doors for a total of six weeks in 2020. Thankfully, we have rebounded from COVID-19 and had a great season considering the circumstances. It has still been a struggle to find employees and deal with the significant increase in food costs.
During 2020, we had different daily specials for dine-in and take-out.
For more information, visit monkeybarcape.com.
