Six weeks after Hurricane Ian put 14 to 16 feet of water inside their building, Wahoo Willies was back open and somehow felt like a familiar home base on Fort Myers Beach. Sitting down with Billy at the open-air tiki bar, we get the real story of what it takes to reopen when the island is still cleaning up, inspections are still happening, and basic things like electricity, Wi‑Fi, and a full kitchen are not guaranteed.
Billy shares what it’s like growing up on Fort Myers Beach, learning the restaurant world young, and saying yes to a chance at ownership with partners who wanted a younger operator with real experience. We talk about why the island keeps pulling people back, how a strong local community can turn a setback into momentum, and why “support local” matters most when it’s slow season, not when the beach is already packed.
Then we get into the fun part: what to order and why. Billy breaks down the “sneaky good food” reputation Wahoo Willies has built, from prime rib on Wednesdays and Saturdays to bang bang shrimp, the chaos-causing stuffed mushrooms, and the seafood Philly that surprises first-timers. On the drink side, we hit specialty cocktails like the Jamaica Me Crazy, shareables made for group photos, and why the crowd here stays proudly beer-forward. And because it’s Fort Myers Beach, live music is the heartbeat, with daily sets that kept musicians and locals connected when almost nothing else was open.
If you love Fort Myers Beach, local restaurants, live music, and true Hurricane Ian recovery stories, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the neighbors who keep the island’s soul alive.
Wahoo Willies
Billy Ignatti
645 Old San Carlos Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 233-8055
wahoowillies.com
Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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