GREEN COVE SPRINGS - When Michel Martinez was shooed out of his kitchen as a little boy, it only left him wanting more. 

In his Hispanic culture, he said it was common for the men to stay out of the sacred place.

“I always wondered what they did not want me to see,” Martinez said. “So ever since I was very little, I became more inclined to try to find out about the kitchen.” 

And that he did. 

Since then, Martinez has found his way around the kitchen, manifesting into an impactful endeavor.

Martinez and his wife, Allison Martinez, began their restaurant Chef X in 2021. Located on the corner of Idlewild Avenue, the restaurant seeks to bring classic all-American cuisine back to the community. 

“Here in Green Cove Springs, we’re constrained on menus [and] on what is available,” Martinez said. “Everybody’s trying to get their Hispanic food in and their Thai food … pizza, and whatnot. So, every town is filled with that type of stuff and I don’t see a lot of old American cuisine.”

Cheeseburgers, French fries, chicken sandwiches, and even cheesecakes make up just a portion of the restaurant's full dining menu. 

With Allison as the official owner, Martinez said he told her it was done in her honor. He said it’s her restaurant, and he works for her.

“This is everything that I am and this is everything that I was,” Martinez said. “And this is everything that I will be.”

Martinez is the executive chef, and he puts his heart into every dish he makes for his customers. With the additional help of his father, brother, and junior chef, the restaurant is truly a family business.

“It’s been me, my father and my wife for 16 hours a day for two years,” Martinez said. 

In his last year of high school, Martinez said his father told him to start cooking as a way to earn some money over the summer. Martinez accepted. And over twenty summers later, Martinez said he’s still going strong.

Martinez said his family keeps him going. He said his grandfather always wanted his own restaurant but left this Earth without having the chance. He’s fulfilling that wish. 

“I strongly believe that we have our ancestors in our DNA. And, somehow, someway, they’re watching that all this is evolving,” Martinez said. 

Martinez said Chef X is a neighborhood spot where guests can always be welcomed. By giving customers what they deserve and what they came for, Martinez said it creates a great atmosphere. 

“As soon as you enter Chef X there is a sign that says ‘Welcome Home’. The reason why is that we want to make it feel like a home feeling. Everybody that comes here comes in blessed and leaves blessed.” 

Known as the "Chick-fil-A of Green Cove Springs," Martinez said the restaurant prides itself on treating every customer as a person, not just a number.

“People here are trained to make sure that the people that walk in here are not just dropping off money,” Martinez said. 

Since moving to Green Cove, Martinez said Chef X has impacted the place they call home. After taking over the building, Martinez said that, with the community’s help, they were able to clean up their side of town.

Martinez said he is proud to be able to contribute to Green Cove in that way, as the expansion of the area is crucial to all its residents. 

Martinez said the restaurant had huge plans, but the landlord kept the lease.  The restaurant will officially close on Aug. 15. 

During that period, Martinez said they will continue to search for a temporary home. But Martinez said this temporary plan is only a preparation for a bigger one in store. 

The restaurant is in talks with the owner of the iconic Gustafson’s home for a new project. With a time frame of summer 2025 in mind, Martinez said more information about the endeavor would be released within the next few weeks. 

Updates can be found on the restaurant's Facebook page.

Additionally, the restaurant is working on eight other projects that it hopes to start within the next couple of years, which will further assist in the restaurant's expansion and community service. 

Though not much about the future projects can be said just yet, Martinez added that he is excited for what’s to come.

“Change is inevitable. Growth is inevitable,” Martinez said. “Exponential growth to us as a small group and as a family, it’s very well welcomed.”

All those years ago, Martinez’s father said the words that kickstarted his son’s journey into the culinary world. He said he thanked both of his parents for following through with his dreams.

“[I thank] my father and my mother for everything they’ve done so far. And just for raising a good kid,” Martinez said. “It’s highly appreciated they never put a stop to my imagination.”