Huey Magoo’s opens in Cape Coral, Florida
To say Drew Stamm has been busy is an understatement.
The general manager of Huey Magoo’s in Cape Coral has been working overtime since the fast-casual chicken joint debuted on Thursday, Feb. 20.
“Since we opened, there’s been a line at the door in the mornings,” he said during a break in the action on a recent rainy afternoon. “During the lunch rush, the line is out the door. When it rains like today, the line wraps around the inside of the restaurant. It’s been nonstop.”
Stamm isn’t surprised by the success.
“We have a prime location,” he said. “There’s good visibility. And we’re the only business open on this side of the plaza.”
The plaza is Cape Coral Commons at the northwest corner of Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard. Huey Magoo’s is just west of the units that house Crumbl, First Watch, Firehouse Subs, Mission BBQ, Eagle Specialty Coffee and Love Boat Ice Cream. Pei Wei Asian Kitchen is coming to the opposite end of Huey Magoo’s side of the plaza.
The Cape location is the first in Southwest Florida for the Orlando-based chain which bills itself as being the Filet Mignon of Chicken®, serving real tenders made from the tenderloin.
“We make everything to order here,” Stamm said.
It’s all about the chicken tenders
The menu focuses on those tenders that come hand-breaded (fried), grilled or sauced (tossed in Buffalo, Garlic Parm, Sweet Heat or Lemon Pepper sauce).
They come in 3-, 5- or 7-piece meals with Coleslaw, Crinkle-Cut Fries, Texas Toast and Magoo’s Dip or in sandwich or wrap form.
Tenders and Tender Bites also appear on salads.
“The hand-breaded tender meals and Farm Fresh Salads have been the best sellers,” Stamm said. The latter comes with mixed greens, roasted corn, black beans, shredded cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots and honey mustard dressing.
Meals for two, kids’ meals, family meals, tenders by the piece, sides, cookies and Banana Pudding round out the menu.
“The nature of the business is mostly to-go,” Stamm said. “But we’ve had a full restaurant most of the time.”
Subway tiles and brick cover the walls, while simple wood tables and metal chairs and stools fill the industrial dining room. Outdoor seating is also available. Orders are placed at the counter.
Despite the crowds, plenty of helpful staff members keep things moving along quickly and efficiently.
“We have a few more in the pipeline,” Stamm said. “Naples will be next. Hopefully by the end of the year at U.S. 41 and Bayshore.”
Others are in the works for Southwest Florida.
In the meantime, people are loving the Cape location.
“Even when we were doing the work, getting it ready, 10 to 15 people a day would come by and ask if we’re open yet,” Stamm said. “Now we finally are. And we’re going to be here for the long run.”
Huey Magoo’s, 1511 NE Pine Island Road, Suite 110, Cape Coral; open Sunday–Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday–Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; visit hueymagoos.com or follow on Facebook.
As mentioned on News-Press
