Fresh Seafood

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He's awesome!

Amazing Thank you Sande Caplin 💪💪❤️❤️👍👍

By now you have probably seen many pictures of the devastation to the island and Cortez. Our neighbors need help. Please share and spread the word.

“How can we help?”

Right now, here’s what is truly needed to make a difference:

1. Hands-on Assistance
As you drive through Cortez, you’ll see families working hard to clear their homes. If you’re able, offer help with tasks like removing damaged furniture, cutting drywall, or even taking laundry to wash for them. Your support, along with work gloves and a willing spirit, can lighten their load immensely.

2. Hot Meals & Cold Drinks
Many residents and volunteers can’t store groceries or prepare meals due to power outages. Delivering a hot meal or cold drinks can offer relief and comfort during a hard day of work.

3. Transportation
Flooding has left many without vehicles, making it hard to get around. Offering a ride to the store, appointments, or to check on loved ones can be a huge help in managing their daily needs.

4. Support Locals by Dining Out
Dining at local restaurants helps workers and businesses stay afloat during the recovery. Your meal is more than just food—it’s support for service industry workers facing challenges at home.

5. Gift Cards
Consider donating gift cards to grocery stores, Lowe’s, or local restaurants. They help families get essentials, handle repairs, and grab meals nearby, especially when travel is difficult.

6. Insurance Claims
Navigating the complex web of insurance claims and coverage can be overwhelming or even out of reach for those without power. Can you help?

7. Shelter a Pet
Offer a loving place to shelter any pets, temporarily or even longer term or help with immediate vet care.

8. Provide Shelter
If you are so generous and able - offer a home and mean it.

9. Hotel Stay
Offer a hotel room - there is nothing like a hot shower and sleeping in air condition.

If you are in need: Start here: www.disasterassistance.gov/

Feel free to comment below, many people don’t know who or how they can help. Want to be a bit more private? Message us and we will point help in your direction.

Out of town, but want to help? Call us or message us to purchase gift cards and we will make sure they are allocated to families in need. Or, have a local/friend purchase gift cards and drop them to us, again we will make sure they go to those in need.

If you’re looking for a way to directly connect with families in need, please comment below and we’ll be happy to guide you toward those who could use your assistance.

Thank you for your compassion and generosity. Together, we will help Cortez rebuild and come back stronger. Helene really wrecked our home sweet home.

#CortezStrong #SupportOurCommunity #SwordfishGrill #HurricaneHelene #HurricaneDamage #HurricaneRelief ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

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Comments: 15

Are you open for dining?

Thank you for this post....people keep thinking the Island...but there is such a great need for Cortez and Sunny Shores. They cannot make it to the North End to the Center. I have many friends making food and need a place to serve from.. where would you suggest in the Village? Also heard that Box Fans and blow up mattresses would be a big help. And we know they are sold out for miles at the moment ..but what if an Amazon wish list disaster help Account is started to get those things shipped by people? I may not be able to do much taking care of my total max assist Mom in bed...but if I can help people connect , and connect the dots...I am here! Been doing so since the storm but need to know more of where and how to for Cortez! THANK YOU!

Is there a location where air mattresses and fans can be shipped to ensure they reach those that need them?

I’m not physically there but I can help with processing or filing electronic forms for anyone at no charge. I’ve been through a few hurricanes in Florida and had to file for FEMA. Let me no what I can do to help

What would be most helpful is for residents to get on and off Island and before Island area. Police have dropped the ball letting everyone through the Causeway and onto the Island.

I also would be happy to help with laundry or meals. Just let me know how to go about doing this.

Available to help coordinate some transportation needs for errands etc. Available after 5:30pm with a small pick up 5ft bed.

Y'all are awesome, you all help everyone who needs it time and time again. Sending lots of love to you all

Where on Cortez? Like cross streets for food.

Thank you and sharing 💕🙏💕

Everyone who is offering to help just shows the spirit of people from Bradenton. I’m not there, but I’m so proud.

Shared from NJ 🙏🏻🙏🏻💪💪…. Let’s goooo !! We can do this !!!

I am able to help with laundry!!!! I live near the airport and we never lost power or flooded so we are capable of doing that! Just send me a message!

I am local and would love to help in anyway possible. Transportation, meals, laundry, etc! Thank you for helping to organize

With grateful hearts, we’re excited to announce that Swordfish Grill will reopen tomorrow at 11 AM. Help support our community by dining with us—many of our staff members have lost everything in the storm, and together we can help rebuild.

Also, tomorrow:
If you’re in need of ice, please bring coolers, buckets, or bags, and we’ll be happy to provide some.

We can’t wait to see you, and thank you for being part of this incredible community! ❤️‍🩹 ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago

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So sad you guys were creamed. I feel bad for the homeowners/businesses that are already paying crazy ridiculous amounts in insurance and will be paying even higher premiums. All that water will have more fecal bacteria and trash in it! Sad!

So happy to hear this. After we get done working/helping in the Village we might stop in for a drink later this evening.

Do you know how the Cortez kitchen made out?

We had a great lunch today. Respite after our clean up. My husband has misplaced his credit cards. Did you find any?

Can you please have a donation Bucket for the amazing people who work there that lost Everything ?

I just cried reading this!! I’m thrilled for the news and will be there tomorrow to support you!!

Wonderful! We are so sad we won’t be able to vacation there this coming weekend due to the devastation but we love your restaurant and can’t wait until we can return again and enjoy your delicious food and atmosphere ❤️

Cortez neighborhood rocked it today!! Thank you to everyone who came out and helped!!!

See you tonight! Just made reservations for 6 pm. So thrilled to support one of our favorite places with a great staff.

Great news. Love Swordfish Grill. See you soon.

Incredible! Shows what an amazing team you have! Bravo everyone. ♥️

I am putting it on my list for when we get there next weekend. This is so uplifting. .

We are on Bradenton Beach and haven't been off the island since prior to storm.. we DO have plenty of food and water.. but it is canned and non perishables.. MANNNNN.. I can't wait for a real meal. We have a pier and our friend bost their boat over, as our boat is in storage and the Marina isn't open yet.. workers weren't allowed on island.. looked like they are finally showing up next door TODAY!.. Things are moving along slowly but surely! Maybe we can take a break layer today and head over to one of our favorite places for a real meal! Yeahhhhhh! See you all soon!

What about those Conch Fritters? Hehe. Love you guys and I will be there ❤️❤️❤️

We are so happy you guys are okay. We look forward to supporting you when we return to town.

Thinking of you through the storm. I’ll be back in town Wednesday and will be sure to bring my mom for dinner. ❤️

We will see you for Sunday services at the tiki!

Can’t wait to visit next week 💕💕💕 So happy for all of you

Great news you were able to open hope there’s more to follow

You all are wonderful, awesome!

Leah Wallace looks like we're going to swordfish tomorrow. So happy yall are up and running we will be there to show support!

We will be in to support you 🩷🙏 Cortez Strong 🇺🇸

Many good blessings to you and staff. I’ll be praying for all.

Cheering for you from Canada! See you in April.

This is wonderful news!!❤️❤️❤️

💙 ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago

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Shares: 4
Comments: 8

I live in Bradenton and absolute love Cortez! I am here to help. I want to help. I keep putting it out there on Facebook, I need to help this amazing paradise that I live in. Please reach out if you need volunteers! I served in the army and I can serve this amazing place that I am honored to live in!

So heartbroken over this. We’re in Georgia, but would love to support some our favorite businesses! Could a GoFundMe be set up or purchasing gift cards to use once reopened? Another idea could be tshirts for the cause. I remember buying one when Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel/Captiva area. Would love to help support the recovery of our favorite place!

My thoughts and prayers are with you all 🙏🙏💔 God Bless

Let us know, what we can do to help you rebuild cortez. Where can we make donations at?Are thoughts and prayers are with the village of cortez.

We love Cortez . 💔

Words to live by.

Prayers

Happy,humble and kind. @Cortezstrong.

Hurricane Helene Update:

Our hearts are heavy as we take in the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Helene on our beloved Cortez and Anna Maria Island. The storm surge was devastating, and many in our community have lost their homes and everything in them. Our thoughts, prayers, and good vibes are with everyone affected by this unimaginable destruction. There is no power and little to no cell service in Cortez.

We are incredibly fortunate that Swordfish Grill is still standing with only minor damage. However, as we begin the process of assessing the full impact, we ask for your patience as we gather a reopening plan.

This community is strong, and we will rebuild together. Please stay safe, and we will be in touch soon with more updates. 💙

#CortezStrong #HurricaneHelene #communitysupport #swordfishgrill ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago

Likes: 787
Shares: 157
Comments: 77

Our prayers are with you for your wonderful village to heal from this storm. I’m wondering if Annie’s survived …. Will be down there in two weeks. Love to all

Prayers lifted for all those affected by this devastating storm 🙏🙏. Glad to hear that Swordfish Grill was not damaged too bad. Hopefully you’ll be able to open soon. God Bless

I’m sending you a bunch of prayers and hugs. Happy to everyone safe. Take care and be safe ❤️❤️

Praying for our beautiful island. It will be wonderful again and we will be very soon back in Swordfish listening to music and having fun!

Prayers for everyone in our family's favorite vacation destination and our favorite restaurant. 🙏❤️

Praying for you all and everyone impacted. You all take all the time you need to do what you need to.

Prayers for the city of Cortez. You will get thru this with lots of love and help from everyone that loves you guys

Thanks for the update even if the news is devastating. So happy the SFG survived- so sorry about the surge devastation. Sending those good thoughts, prayers and vibes you mentioned your way…🩷

Prayers are with everyone during this time 🙏

Our hearts and prayers are with our Cortez friends 🙏🏻

Prayers to ALL Locals!

Prayers for you and everyone

Prayers for all !!

Prayers for everyone 🙏💙

Praying for you! I can hardly wait to eat there when you're up and running!

Praying for you all God be with you

Glad you were spared major Damage. Hope all of you have what you need at home also

Prayers for all. 🙏🙏🙏

Prayers and positive vibes 🙏

Sending prayers to all

So happy you guys are still standing!

Wonderful news!

You’re strong you’ll be up and running soon hugs

Best wishes for full recovery

So very sorry for the damage and typical the next day is blue skies. Good luck to all! 🇨🇦

Watch Cortez live from our tiki deck. Sending good vibes and low tides to all during Hurricane Helene. https://www.swordfishgrillcortez.com/live-cam/

Watch Cortez live from our tiki deck. Sending good vibes and low tides to all during Hurricane Helene. www.swordfishgrillcortez.com/live-cam/ ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

Likes: 125
Shares: 35
Comments: 18

Stay safe guys!

Ur LIVE Cam isn't working.. it just goes to business page.

I hope Captain Rick stays safe … I see his boat in the distance!

Thank you for sharing this….stay safe x

Thank you and stay safe!

Nice!! Stay safe!😎

Sending prayers for safety

Thank you for the view, waters coming up:(… Stay safe Swordfish Grill and Tiki!!!❤️

Stay safe!❤️

Stay safe!!

Did the Cortez kitchen survive?

Water up over dock already

Thanks for posting this…👍👍👍

🙏

John Eberle

Mike Giannetto Marge Thomas

Wow. Pretty cool.

Thanks.