Jorge Cortez, the patriarch of La Familia Cortez Restaurants, including Market Square landmark Mi Tierra, died Monday at the age of 81, officials with the business said. The restaurant group didn't reveal Cortez's cause of death but said he was surrounded by family members at the time of his passing. Cortez is frequently credited for being the first restaurateur to serve fajitas on a sizzling platter — a practice that's since become standard for Mexican restaurants across the country.