To say Drew Stamm has been busy is an understatement.<\/p>\n
The general manager of Huey Magoo\u2019s in Cape Coral<\/a> has been working overtime since the fast-casual chicken joint debuted on Thursday, Feb. 20.<\/p>\n \u201cSince we opened, there\u2019s been a line at the door in the mornings,\u201d he said during a break in the action on a recent rainy afternoon. \u201cDuring the lunch rush, the line is out the door. When it rains like today, the line wraps around the inside of the restaurant. It\u2019s been nonstop.\u201d<\/p>\n Stamm isn\u2019t surprised by the success.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a prime location,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s good visibility. And we\u2019re the only business open on this side of the plaza.\u201d<\/p>\n The plaza is Cape Coral Commons at the northwest corner of Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard.\u202fHuey Magoo\u2019s 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\u2019s side of the plaza.<\/p>\n The Cape location is the first in Southwest Florida for the Orlando-based chain which bills itself as being the Filet Mignon of Chicken\u00ae, serving real tenders made from the tenderloin.<\/p>\n \u201cWe make everything to order here,\u201d Stamm said.<\/p>\n It\u2019s all about the chicken tenders<\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n They come in 3-, 5- or 7-piece meals with Coleslaw, Crinkle-Cut Fries, Texas Toast and Magoo\u2019s Dip or in sandwich or wrap form.<\/p>\n Tenders and Tender Bites also appear on salads.<\/p>\n \u201cThe hand-breaded tender meals and Farm Fresh Salads have been the best sellers,\u201d Stamm said. The latter comes with mixed greens, roasted corn, black beans, shredded cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots and honey mustard dressing.<\/p>\n Meals for two, kids\u2019 meals, family meals, tenders by the piece, sides, cookies and Banana Pudding round out the menu.<\/p>\n \u201cThe nature of the business is mostly to-go,\u201d Stamm said. \u201cBut we\u2019ve had a full restaurant most of the time.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Despite the crowds, plenty of helpful staff members keep things moving along quickly and efficiently.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a few more in the pipeline,\u201d Stamm said. \u201cNaples will be next. Hopefully by the end of the year at U.S. 41 and Bayshore.\u201d<\/p>\n Others are in the works for Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n In the meantime, people are loving the Cape location.<\/p>\n \u201cEven when we were doing the work, getting it ready, 10 to 15 people a day would come by and ask if we\u2019re open yet,\u201d Stamm said. \u201cNow we finally are. And we\u2019re going to be here for the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n Huey Magoo\u2019s, 1511 NE Pine Island Road, Suite 110, Cape Coral; open Sunday\u2013Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday\u2013Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; visit hueymagoos.com<\/a> or follow on Facebook.<\/a><\/p>\n