Steve Martorano started as a club DJ in the 70’s working in such clubs as Valentino’s in Cherry Hill, NJ, London Victory club in Center City Philly and the Mansion in Wildwood NJ before opening his first sandwich delivery business that he ran from his apartment.
From there, he would make the sandwiches, wrap them, take the phone off the hook to personally deliver them, return home, put the phone back on the hook and wait for the next call. He was a one man show with an increasing popular business. His sandwiches were becoming a hit and it wasn’t long before he outgrew his space. In order to keep up with the business, Martorano moved into his mother’s basement. Keep in mind that all of this was illegal but he did whatever he had to do earn money outside of spinning records.
The food became so popular in South Philly that Martorano decided to open a take out restaurant in a strip mall. Here Martorano made pizza, sandwiches, pasta dishes and homemade water ice. A few years later the demand outgrew his location again and Martorano moved to a bigger free standing sit down restaurant.
In the early 90’s, the US economy took a turn for the worst and Steve lost everything. He knew it was time for a change and in 1993 he moved to Ft. Lauderdale and opened a new restaurant on Oakland Par k Boulevard and 15 years later Café Martorano has become a world wide sensation.Steve Martorano has achieved the remarkable accomplishment of raising the bar for the entire restaurant industry. This “Italian Guy from the Neighborhood,” has taken the craft of cooking to new levels through persistence and hard work. With his self-taught talent, Steve has created a venue in which as owner he is the cook, DJ and operator.
Café Martorano offers a unique atmosphere that combines exceptional food with extraordinary music. Guests can dine on Italian-American food while watching his favorite movies and listening to classic R&B and classic rock on a sound system that rivals that of South Beach’s hottest clubs. This rare talent has allowed him to create an ambiance that attracts a clientele that ranges from a local, sexy, hip crowd to entertainment’s hottest celebrities. This family-run business is the only venue that has managed to create a modern and cool atmosphere while maintaining that welcome-to-the-family vibe.
Steve's Grandma with the same pot Steve uses today
The food became so popular in South Philly that Martorano decided to open a take out restaurant in a strip mall. Here Martorano made pizza, sandwiches, pasta dishes and homemade water ice. A few years later the demand outgrew his location again and Martorano moved to a bigger free standing sit down restaurant.
