Tortilla Jo’s owner working on ‘many opportunities’ at Downtown Disney

The restaurant group behind the recently shuttered Tortilla Jo’s Mexican-style cantina is working on several opportunities at Downtown Disney as the company fights off competition from one of its fiercest rivals.

“We are working with Disney on many opportunities throughout Downtown Disney and through their new vision,” Patina Restaurant Group President John “JK” Kolaski said.

Kolaski was on hand for the grand opening ceremony of Patina’s new Paseo restaurant, Centrico courtyard bar and Tiendita grab-and-go stand on Wednesday, May 1.

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The Tortilla Jo’s Mexican-style cantina run by Patina closed in April to make way for a trio of new Patina restaurant concepts featuring Mexican cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan at the outdoor shopping mall next to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Patina also operates the recently-renovated Naples restaurant and Napolini Pizzeria at Downtown Disney.

Disneyland has announced new steakhouse and barbecue concepts are planned for the former Tortilla Jo’s location in Downtown Disney. No opening dates or operating partners were announced for the steakhouse restaurant and adjacent BBQ eatery.

Patina operates Nick + Stef’s Steakhouse by James Beard Award-winning chef Joachim Splichal in downtown Los Angeles and Midtown Manhattan. Patina doesn’t currently have a barbecue restaurant concept.

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Is a new Patina group restaurant coming to the former Tortilla Jo’s location?

“I can’t say that it’s not us,” Kolaski said during an interview in Paseo after the grand opening ceremony.

That leaves the door open for Patina rival Levy Restaurants — which is behind the new Parkside Market coming to Downtown Disney’s west end.

“We are Disney’s biggest operating partner and we’re going to continue that,” Kolaski said.

Levy Restaurants has created and operated restaurants at Walt Disney World for more than three decades. The Parkside Market is Levy’s first foray into Downtown Disney — which has been Patina territory since the mall opened two decades ago.

Levy runs Michael Jordan’s Steakhouse — owned by the NBA G.O.A.T. and six-time league champion — at a casino in Washington state. Levy doesn’t currently have a barbecue restaurant concept.

At Walt Disney World, Patina operates The Edison (Classic American fare in an industrial gothic setting), Morimoto Asia (Pan-Asian flavors served from an exhibition kitchen) and Enzo’s Hideaway (Prohibition era speakeasy).