"Jorge was not only an inspirational figure in our family of restaurants but also a cherished mentor to many," the family said in a statement.

His parents, Cruz and Pedro, started their legacy restaurants in 1941 with the purchase of a small, three-table restaurant in Market Square.

Jorge Cortez was a cultural force in San Antonio in addition to helping run and grow his family's restaurant empire, La Familia Cortez.

The Cortez family, who runs several restaurants in market square, is mourning the loss of Jorge Cortez.Jorge was an inspirational figure both thro

Jorge Cortez, whose parents founded the iconic Mi Tierra restaurant at Market Square in downtown San Antonio, died Monday at the age of 81, La Familia Cortez Restaurants said. According to a news release,