{"id":196731,"date":"2026-02-27T17:26:48","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T17:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/196731\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T17:26:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T17:26:48","slug":"hungry-on-the-go-mad-duck-and-ikes-are-newest-fresno-airport-eateries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/196731\/","title":{"rendered":"Hungry on the Go? Mad Duck and Ike’s Are Newest Fresno Airport Eateries"},"content":{"rendered":"

A \u201cLofresno Neal\u201d on the go? Steak bites between flights?<\/p>\n

Travelers at Fresno Yosemite International Airport have new options with the opening of two more restaurants, with another one firing up the kitchen soon. The additions are part of a massive airport overhaul that included a new security screening area, terminal and parking lot.<\/p>\n

City officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday for Mad Duck Craft Brewing Company and Ike\u2019s Love and Sandwiches.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis expansion represents our commitment to enhancing travelers\u2019 experience and creating a space that reflects the heart and soul of Fresno,\u201d Mayor Jerry Dyer said. \u201cThese food additions are more than just dining options. They are a way to bring the flavors and hospitality of Fresno directly to our travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ike\u2019s is located to the left of the security area. Mad Duck is in the middle of the main terminal \u2014 the first sight after passengers ascend the escalator.<\/p>\n

SSP America owns the restaurants under licensing agreements with the respective brands.<\/p>\n

Mad Duck\u2019s Expansion<\/p>\n

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\u201cHaving Mad Duck represent our community here is incredibly special to us. We are overwhelmed with pride.\u201d \u2014 Mad Duck CEO Alex Costa<\/p>\n

Mad Duck took over the John Muir Tavern location in the middle of Concourse A, opening Feb. 6.<\/p>\n

It is the first thing passengers see when coming up the escalator.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe visual impact of coming up that escalator is striking,\u201d Mad Duck CEO Alex Costa said.<\/p>\n

Costa said it is important that travelers see Mad Duck when coming and going.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving Mad Duck represent our community here is incredibly special to us. We are overwhelmed with pride,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n

Related Story: Fresno Opens New Terminal as Major Milestone in $150 Million Airport Expansion<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The bar at the Mad Duck Craft Brewing Company at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. (GV Wire\/David Taub)<\/p>\n

Steak bites ($19.25) are the most popular item, but Costa said the restaurant had to adjust the preparation for airport service.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not allowed to use silverware past security, for example. We\u2019ve had to make sure our chefs worked to condense those into actual bites instead of large chunks of steak that would need to be cut,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n

The menu features several Mad Duck-brewed beers. A full bar is available when the airport restaurant opens at 5 a.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe that people should always know their butcher and they should always know their brewer. Beer is best fresh and food is best fresh,\u201d Costa said.<\/p>\n

Another unique feature found only at the airport Mad Duck is a breakfast menu.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The patty melt smashburger features bacon, American cheese, caramelized onions and Thousand Island on grilled sourdough ($20, served with fries). (GV Wire\/Jahz Tello)
\nIke\u2019s at the Airport<\/p>\n

This is Ike\u2019s third Fresno location. The San Francisco-based chain is known for naming sandwiches after Bay Area and Fresno sports celebrities.<\/p>\n

The \u201cLofresnoNeal\u201d ($15.50) is named after Lorenzo Neal \u2014 the Lemoore native and Fresno State star who became one of the best fullbacks in NFL history.<\/p>\n

His sandwich features steak, pepper jack and honey.<\/p>\n

Natasha Samoebj, the area manager, said the most popular sandwich is the \u201cMatt Cain\u201d ($15.50), named after the former Giants ace pitcher.<\/p>\n

There is also an FYI exclusive named after the city\u2019s other airport: \u201cThe Chandler\u201d ($15.50). It features turkey, roast beef, bacon, Swiss and Ike\u2019s Fresno BBQ sauce.<\/p>\n

All sandwiches feature Dutch crunch bread, which stays crisp and holds the ingredients in place.<\/p>\n

And there are several meatless options, especially enjoyed by Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell.<\/p>\n

\u201cBest vegetarian sandwiches in Fresno,\u201d Maxwell said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The \u201cMatt Cain\u201d (left) and \u201cLofresno Neal\u201d are two of the sandwiches featured at Ike\u2019s Love and Sandwiches at the airport. (GV Wire\/Jahz Tello)
\nMore Flights?<\/p>\n

Dyer hinted there would be more flights added out of FYI, but he wasn\u2019t ready to reveal information yet.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s at least one exciting destination on the horizon. I hope in the near future we\u2019re able to solidify that and make it public. It\u2019s a destination people have wanted from Fresno, and most of the demand is for leisure travel,\u201d Dyer said.<\/p>\n

The airport expansion cost $150 million and encompasses 98,000 square feet.<\/p>\n

SSP America\u2019s Deal<\/p>\n

The city council approved the contract with Virginia-based SSP America in 2023. The 15-year deal gives SSP America the right to operate concessions at the airport, paying for lease space plus a percentage of revenues.<\/p>\n

The city estimated annual revenues of $816,436.<\/p>\n

Costa said prices will be slightly higher at the airport because of the costs to operate at FYI.<\/p>\n

Both Costa and Dyer said it is easier for SSP America to serve as the employer. That helps clear workers through security and handle the unique aspects of operating at an airport. Both Mad Duck and Ike\u2019s train employees on food and drink preparation.<\/p>\n

Los Amigos, a Fresno-based Mexican restaurant, is scheduled to open soon. Dyer said a construction mishap caused flooding, delaying its opening in the new terminal.<\/p>\n

Peet\u2019s Coffee has already opened. A Brookstone shop is under construction.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer (left) pals around with airport mascot Gordo at the Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, ribbon cutting for two new restaurants at Fresno Yosemite International airport. (GV Wire\/Jahz Tello)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A \u201cLofresno Neal\u201d on the go? Steak bites between flights? Travelers at Fresno Yosemite International Airport have new…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":196732,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[112,114,113],"class_list":["post-196731","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fresno","tag-fresno","tag-fresno-headlines","tag-fresno-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196731","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=196731"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196731\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/196732"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=196731"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=196731"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=196731"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}