In October, WalletHub released its list of the 182 best foodie cities in the U.S.
Cape Coral landed at an impressive 119th overall.
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The cities — which included the 150 most populated ones in the country, plus at least two of the most populated ones in each state — were scored according to 28 indicators of foodie-friendliness.
One of those indicators was the ratio of full-service restaurants to fast-food establishments.
Cape Coral was listed as No. 1 with the highest ratio.
But it’s not all bad news for fast-foodies. One just opened this week and a fast-growing, fast-casual restaurant is on the way.
That being said, three full-service restaurants also just opened.
Here’s what we know:
Checkers is here
Big Bufords and Checkerburgers made their highly anticipated debut on Skyline Boulevard, across from Challenger Middle School, on Feb. 13. Open 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily, Checkers has a double drive-thru with two lanes for ordering, merging into one and wrapping around the south side of the building. A separate, single drive-thru lane on the north side is designated for orders placed ahead of time through the app and food delivery services such as DoorDash.
Walk-up orders can be placed at the counter inside the small building. It’s been a busy first few days with customers waiting to get inside and cars lining the drive-thrus.
Co-owner Michael Quinn expects traffic to be “a bear for the first couple of weeks.”
“Then it should level out,” he said.
Checkers is known for its burgers (starting at $1.79 for a cheeseburger), which include single cheeseburgers, double and triple burgers, melts and barbecue, fry-lover’s and bacon-based ones.
The Big Buford ($6.29) comes with two large hand-seasoned patties, topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise on a toasted bun.
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Chicken items include tenders (starting at $5.49 for three), sandwiches ($3.39 and up) and bites ($3.79 for bites & fries box).
Quinn and business partner Jason Setzer plan on opening more in Lee County.
“Ideally we can have three to four in the area in the next three to four years. The local community has been very encouraging.”
Checkers, 1624 Skyline Blvd., Cape Coral; open 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily beginning Tuesday, Feb. 13; (239) 922-1070; checkersandrallys.olo.com
Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders
The self-titled Filet Mignon of Chicken chain with 58 restaurants in 11 states, including 31 in Florida, has plans to add a location in Cape Coral. Construction has begun next to Cape Coral Commons (home of the newest Love Boat!) at the corner of Pine Island Road and Del Prado Boulevard. The new plaza, which also includes Papa John’s and Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, is across SE 15th Place from recently closed PJ’s Coffee and down from Crumbl Cookies, Firehouse Subs and Mission BBQ.
If all goes accordingly, it could open sometime this year, possibly in September.
Established in 2004, Huey Magoo’s serves chicken tender meals (three, five or seven tenders with crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and Magoo’s dip), sandwiches and wraps, salads and kids and family meals.
Go to hueymagoos.com for more.
Outback Steakhouse
This popular Australian-flavored restaurant has been bustling since opening its doors at 4 p.m. Feb. 6 on the corner of Skyline Boulevard and Veterans Parkway. “It’s been super busy, especially on weekends,” managing partner Matthew Marcelino said.
Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, the chain is known for its steaks, grilled chicken, ribs, seafood and bloomin’ onion.
With high and low-top tables and booths, drop lighting and a modern industrial feel, this location is a “new version” of Outback.
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“It’s an open concept and a little smaller than before,” Marcelino said. “We can see every table from wherever we stand.”
Since it’s been so busy, find the new location online to see if there’s a wait before heading over. If there is, you can add your name to the waitlist. This can also be done by calling the restaurant. Online ordering, curbside takeaway and delivery are available.
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So far, most customers are opting to dine in.
“Everyone wants to come inside and see what it’s like,” Marcelino said.
Outback Steakhouse, 2329 Skyline Blvd.; (239) 471-3109; outback.com.
Oda Pizzeria Bistro
The owners of House of Omelets recently opened their new venture on the opposite end of the Bonefish Grill-anchored plaza on Pine Island Road that is home to their beloved breakfast and lunch joint. It took over the spot previously occupied by Dante’s Coal Fired Pizza. After a month of serving limited fare, the full Mediterranean menu made its debut a couple of weeks ago.
“The Mediterranean is a big area with Portugal, Spain, France, Italy,” owner Toni Dedaj said. “We are from the Balkans. We picked popular foods from here and there to create something beautiful.”
It’s all reflected in the menu, from shareables like grilled octopus, smoked bone marrow and tableside flambe saganki to main dishes of lamb chops and shanks, paella and three veal options. Pasta, seafood, steaks, salads and of course, wood-fired pizzas, round out the menu.
Dedaj chose the name Oda, which is open from 3 to midnight daily, because it’s a gathering room in Albania and is “simple and easy to say.”
Oda, 900 SW Pine Island Road, No. 102; (239) 402-8282; odapizzeriabistro.com
Pi Theory Pizza
While the newest entry in the thriving Cape Coral pizza scene is still in its soft opening phase, a grand opening is planned for Friday, Feb. 23. Owners Aimee and Jeremiah Kuslock took over the former I Ragazzi Pizza spot in Merchants Plaza on Hancock Bridge Parkway.
As the current owner of Torched with previous ownership in Big 10 Tavern and Omelet Shop, all in Cape Coral, Kuslock is not new to the restaurant business. Pi is “my wife’s though,” he said.
Classic and premium pizzas (think shrimp & bacon, white deluxe, cheese steak), stromboli, calzones, starters, salads and subs are offered. Daily specials from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include two cheese slices for $7, two pepperoni or sausage slices for $8 and a slice of the week for $9. All come with a fountain drink and mini cannoli.
Dine in and takeout available. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Pi Theory Pizza, 159 Hancock Bridge Parkway; (239) 257-1715
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at [email protected]
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