Steve Martorano: From Basement Hustle to Italian-American Icon
Ever since I moved to South Florida, one name kept coming up over and over again. Martorano’s.
Friends mentioned it casually. Locals spoke about it with conviction. The more I heard the name, the more curious I became. So I did what I usually do when something catches my attention. I went down the rabbit hole.
What I expected to find was a popular restaurant with a loyal following. What I found instead was the story of a man whose journey is impossible not to respect. Once I learned about Steve Martorano, the man behind the name, I knew his story was one my readers would appreciate.
Image credit: Steve "Yo Cuz" Martorano | cafemartorano.com
South Philly Roots and a Willingness to Start Small
Steve Martorano did not come up through the traditional culinary world. No white tablecloth pedigree. No formal culinary school. His education came from family kitchens, South Philadelphia streets, and a relentless work ethic.
His earliest business did not start in a restaurant at all. It started in his mother’s basement, selling sandwiches. Real ones. Built on quality bread, simple ingredients, and word of mouth. It was the kind of hustle that only works if you are willing to show up every day and let the food speak for itself.
That early chapter says a lot about who Steve is. He was building trust one customer at a time.
Betting on Himself Again
Like many real entrepreneurial stories, the road was not smooth. An economic downturn in the early 1990s wiped out his Philadelphia operation. Instead of folding, Steve made a decision that would change his life.
He packed up and headed south.
With very little money and everything on the line, he landed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and opened what would become Cafe Martorano in 1993. It was small. It was personal. And it was unmistakably him.
From the beginning, it was never just about food. It was about energy, music, personality, and making people feel like they were part of something. Steve cooked. Steve hosted. Steve controlled the vibe. The restaurant felt alive because he was in it.
An Experience, Not Just a Meal
Martorano’s is built with intention. The food honors Italian-American tradition, while the experience is bold and unmistakable. Movies play. Music fills the room. The confidence feels natural, not forced.
And the food matters. Deeply.
Dishes like the meatballs and Sunday gravy have earned national recognition over the years. What stands out most, though, is consistency. Decades in, people still talk about the same flavors with the same excitement.
That kind of staying power does not happen by accident.
Today, the Martorano name extends beyond Fort Lauderdale, most notably with Martorano’s Prime in Pittsburgh, a high-end Italian-American steakhouse concept built on the same core DNA as the original.
Despite the growth, Steve remains hands-on and visible. He is known for being present, engaging with guests, and holding every detail to his standards.
Image credit: Steve "Yo Cuz" Martorano | cafemartorano.com
Respect Earned, Not Chased
Steve Martorano has been featured on major television programs and recognized by respected food publications. Celebrities dine at his restaurants. Athletes, entertainers, and locals all show up at the same tables.
What stands out is that none of it feels manufactured. His success feels earned the long way. Through consistency. Through personality. Through staying true to who he is.
There is also real humanity in his story. Personal loss. Family. Loyalty to his roots. Those things shape leaders just as much as wins do.
Looking Forward to My First Table
I have not eaten at Martorano’s yet, and somehow that makes writing this more enjoyable. I am looking forward to walking in without expectations, just curiosity. I hear reservations can be tough to get, which tells you something on its own.
But more than anything, I respect the journey.
From selling sandwiches in a basement to building one of the most recognizable Italian-American restaurant brands in the country, Steve Martorano’s story is a reminder that authenticity can scale when it is real.
I’ll be making that reservation soon and look forward to sharing how it goes. Mange bien!