Tyler Edwards and Franco Russo are obsessed with burgers, and that’s a very good thing.
The chef and owner, respectively, of Fresh Catch Inland in Estero have opened a ghost kitchen based out of the Coconut Point restaurant.
“We wanted to do something out of the ordinary,” Edwards said. “We’re just having fun, doing our own thing and seeing what happens.”
The result is FAM Burgers — a small menu of carefully crafted and creative sandwiches available only for pickup (at Fresh Catch Inland, 7991 Plaza Del Lago Drive, Estero) or in a limited delivery area through Uber Eats.
“Even though it’s just on Uber Eats, if there’s a buzz and people want more, what’s to stop us from putting it somewhere?” Russo said, adding that the name FAM is derived from his, his wife’s and his son’s first initials. “It’s summer, we’re new. We have the space and the time. So let’s have some fun.”
And what they’ve come up with is not only fun, it’s scary good.
There are two burgers on the menu, including the That’s My Jam Burger — two smashed patties with Edwards’ house-made Boursin cheese and bacon jam, arugula, red onion and house dill pickles gloriously protruding from a Martin’s potato roll. One bite in and we were in love.
“Instead of the usual burger, I wanted to be creative,” Edwards said. “Make it really good and keep it simple.”
Mission accomplished.
The Out & In Burger (two smashed patties, Cooper white American cheese, secret sauce, shaved onion, house dill pickle) is the other option and you can get it on Fresh Catch Inland’s menu now (it’s the smash burger).
Prime rib (Russo’s favorite) and a Night-Time Chicken Sando round out the handhelds (I wasn’t kidding when I said it was a small menu). The latter features a 24-hour marinated then deep-fried crispy chicken thigh, cilantro & chili slaw made when the sandwich is ordered, locally sourced hot honey, FAM spice mix and house-pickled jalapenos.
It’s crunchy joy on a sweet, buttery Martin’s roll. While it’s only available via FAM and Uber Eats now, Edwards said to look for it on Fresh Catch Inland’s upcoming fall menu.
“The Hank’s Sammy and chick sandwich are showstoppers,” said Russo, who also owns three Two Meatballs in the Kitchen locations, Stones Throw in Cape Coral, and Junkanoo and Fresh Catch Bistro on Fort Myers Beach. “We’re going to do much more down the road.”
Homemade banana pudding and perfectly crispy house-cut fries round out the selections.
“Estero is a growing city and I want to showcase it,” Edwards said. “I want to pay homage to it by doing something out of the norm with locally sourced ingredients. It’s all made with love and sourced with love.”
If you live in the area or just so happen to be in the vicinity of Coconut Point and Fresh Catch Inland, give FAM Burgers a try. Find it on Instagram or Uber Eats.
In other foodie news …
Uncle Rico’s
This highly respected and often recognized Fort Myers pizza shop has earned yet another honor. Enrico Aguila, owner of this old-school pizzeria near downtown, has been named to Grande Cheese’s prestigious operations panel.
“Only 45 mom & pops in the country are included,” he said. “It’s such an honor to be chosen. We’ll meet every month to discuss different topics.”
Aguila has used Wisconsin-based Grande Cheese since he “started making pizza.”
“I’ve always used it,” he said. “They want to support mom & pops, want to hear from the little guy and see what they can do as a cheese company to help. This is such a big deal for me.”
Aguila, who finished sixth for his Detroit-style pizza in the 2025 California Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit in August, is also a competing member of the United States Pizza Team.
Try his award-winning pies and more at 2960 Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers. Call (239) 362-0083, go to unclericospizza239.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram for more.
Now open
Pei Wei Asian Kitchen: Cape Coral got its first taste of this fast-casual franchise with Asian-inspired cuisine when its Pine Island Road location opened. It and Papa Johns are the newest additions to the Huey Magoo’s side of Cape Coral Commons Plaza. Pei Wei is known for wok-fired dishes and its Firecracker Chicken and Orange Chicken. Customizable offerings include vegetarian and gluten-free options. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Find it at 1511 NE Pine Island Road, Suite 160. (239) 342-1013 or peiwei.com.
Fundraisers, ribbon cuttings and grand openings
Tropical Smoothie: The new location off Pine Island Road in Cape Coral is hosting a grand opening weekend celebration from Sept. 12-14. It’s in the Shops at Del Mar at 333 SW 10th Place, just east of Walk On’s. Get a free 24-ounce smoothie with any food or bowl purchase all weekend long (in-café and drive-thru orders only). Plus, on Saturday, the first 50 customers to arrive in-café will receive free smoothies for a year (terms and conditions apply). It’s open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Go to Facebook for more.
Ford’s Garage: The 1719 Cape Coral Parkway location, in conjunction with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, is hosting a daylong dine & donate fundraiser on Sept. 18 for the Cape Coral Animal Shelter. Just dine in anytime from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. that Thursday, mention “Cape Coral Animal Shelter Dine & Donate” to your server and 15% of your check will go to the nonprofit, no-kill shelter. It’s a win-win. Details on the CCAS Facebook page.
The Salad King: A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for noon on Sept. 29. This quick-service eatery features made-fresh-daily soups and made-to-order salads. It’s coming to 1622 Del Prado Blvd. in Cape Coral. (239) 955-6544, thesaladking.com or find on Facebook
And… Dutch Bros: This fast-growing, friendly and fun coffee shop is heading to Cape Coral. A coming soon banner has been hung at a cleared lot on Del Prado Boulevard, just south of Veterans Parkway and SE 17th Avenue and north of RaceTrac. No word yet on how long it will take, but we’ll keep our coffee-loving eyes on it.
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Restaurant news: From fabulous FAM Burgers in Estero to fast casual in Cape Coral
Reporting by Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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