After purchasing the Edelweiss Burger location on Estero Boulevard on Fort Myers Beach, TJ Holzapfel, and his wife Lisa, will soon be opening a new restaurant called The Rude Shrimp Co. The building is getting a makeover, and, as they await permits, they are hoping for a Shrimp Festival weekend opening.
TJ says he went from starting out on a food truck, then into a shipping container in small town Nebraska, and now to Fort Myers Beach. The husband and wife duo wound up in Florida after a short stint in Jacksonville after college. They loved the state, took a tour of Florida, and fell in love with Fort Myers Beach. After seeing that the Edelweiss business was for sale they jumped on it as quickly as they could.
TJ tells Beach Talk Radio News he wanted to get into the restaurant business his entire life. “I’ve been cooking for 45 years, both in the industry and for fun. Burned my right hand bad when I was 4 years old making spaghetti-o’s while my mom was talking to the Avon Lady. I was born with the weird ability to eat something, and then go home and make it. My favorite thing is trying new restaurant ideas on my wife Lisa, she is my inspiration and best critic.”
The menu will be primarily shrimp focused (shrimp tacos are how they got their start), with a Hawaiian fusion flare. Anything on the menu that says RUDE in front of it, is a signature item and is SPICY. They will also have other non-shrimp items (chicken dishes, beef dishes, burger, fish, and a few veggie items).
What can customers expect when they come to your restaurant? Great tasting and unique food, a fun atmosphere, and top-notch customer service.
Pending Fire Marshall approval there will be seating for 68 people.
You can check out their menu HERE and follow them on Facebook HERE.
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