Metro Diner, made famous by Guy Fieri, opens this week in Cape Coral. LYNQ brings its ramen and sushi to Ada's Natural Market in Fort Myers.
The area's third Metro Diner opens next week in Cape Coral, but the restaurant is offering charitable guests a sneak peek this weekend.
The Jacksonville-based chain will make its official debut April 17 in a newly built plaza at 1625 Cape Coral Parkway E. The 3,740-square-foot Metro Diner sits between Culver's and Ford's Garage on the north side of the parkway.
The breakfast-lunch-dinner restaurant, made famous by Guy Fieri and Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" promises all-day breakfast, beer, wine, mimosas and Bloody Marys.
“Guests feel at home when they come to Metro Diner because we welcome them as if they are coming to our own house,” Cape Coral's managing partner Kelly Entsminger said in a news release.
“Metro Diner is known as the place where ‘the locals eat’ and we hope to be the new go-to destination where our Cape Coral diners turn into regulars.”
Can't wait till next week? Curious customers are welcome to join in on this weekend's pre-opening charity events.
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Guests who make a donation will get a sneak peek of the new restaurant and a chance to sample Metro Diner favorites. On Saturday, all donations will benefit Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Donations made Sunday will benefit the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.
Reservations can be made for the fundraisers either day from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 4-7:30 p.m. by calling the charity reservation line at 288-0057.
The original Metro Diner opened in Jacksonville in 1992. In fall 2010 the restaurant was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," leading to its expansion throughout North Florida, the state and the U.S. Today Metro Diner has close to 60 locations, from Alabama to Oklahoma and Georgia to Pennsylvania.
Metro Diner's menu specializes in classic comfort foods — chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, meatloaf, Benedicts, biscuits and gravy — with most dishes priced less than $15.
The Cape location will be open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Call 288-0057 or visit metrodiner.com for more.
Miracle host hot-dog eating qualifier
Hammond Stadium, home of the Fort Myers Miracle, is hosting a sanctioned qualifier Saturday for the 2018 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The top male and female participants at Saturday's competition will claim a seat at the nationally televised showdown in Coney Island, New York.
“Hopefully the ambiance at Hammond Stadium helps these competitive eaters get in the mood to break some records," Chris Peters, the Miracle's president and general manager, said in a press release.
Last year, Nathan’s held its inaugural Southwest Florida qualifier at Germain Arena. The top male contestant, Pablo Martinez, downed 25½ hot dogs and buns during the 10-minute event. The top female contestant, Mary Bowers, ate 10 hot dogs.
MORE: Hot dog! Pablo Martinez claims Nathan's title
Both local qualifiers finished 12th in their respective divisions at the international championship last summer. Joey Chestnut claimed the men’s title after eating 72 hot dogs in 10 minutes, while Miki Sudo downed 41 hot dogs to earn the women’s championship.
Hammond Stadium’s gates will open at 4:25 p.m. Saturday, with the hot-dog eating contest set to begin at 4:30 p.m. The Miracle will play the Tampa Tarpons at 6 p.m.
Little bites
• Speaking of hot dogs, Nathan's Famous is coming to Cape Coral. A sign is up for the fast-food chain in a new building under construction on Del Prado Boulevard near the Coral Pointe Shopping Center.
• "Get ready to eat, drink and stink!" So goes the slogan of 93X Garlic Fest, which takes place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday at Centennial Park in Fort Myers. The event promises garlic-infused food, drink and even dessert from local restaurants and food trucks. Admission is $10 and includes all kids activities. Garlic Fest proceeds will benefit Caleb's Crusade, a local nonprofit that supports families affected by childhood cancer. Find more at 93xfm.com/garlic-fest.
• Bistro 41 is being taken over by chefs from "Hell's Kitchen." On May 3, four past chefs from the Fox TV cooking competition will team up for a five-course wine dinner that starts at 7 p.m. The "Hell's Kitchen" lineup includes Bret Hauser (season 14), Barret Beyer (season 11), Sterling Wright (season 13) and Milly Medley (seasons 14 and 17). The dinner is $120 per person. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and details. Bistro 41 is at Bell Tower Shops, 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., south Fort Myers. Call 466-4141 or visit bistro41.com.
LYNQ opens in Ada's
LYNQ is expanding. The Asian-fusion restaurant and craft cocktail bar now serves its sushi and ramen at Ada's Natural Market in south Fort Myers.
"Ada's, they contacted me a few months ago about putting a sushi-ramen bar inside," LYNQ founder Chris Whitaker said.
"We rolled it out about five weeks ago."
This second, smaller LYNQ offers its freshly made dishes for lunch Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The eatery comes complete with an outside seating area separated from the parking lot by plants and wood-panel fencing.
LYNQ at Ada's also offers grab-and-go sushi boxes made fresh each morning and available for pickup throughout the day.
And this is just the beginning.
"In a couple weeks, we're going to open 5 to 7 at night doing ramen and poke bowls," Whitaker said.
LYNQ's offerings complement Ada's wide range of organic and healthful groceries and takeout foods. The market features a fresh juice and smoothie bar with acai bowls and salads. It also has a deli and several options for prepared takeout foods.
The original LYNQ opened in April 2017 in the former Yabo space at 16230 Summerlin Road, south Fort Myers; for more on that store call 204-9345 or visit lynq.life. LYNQ's Ada's location opened in February. Ada's is at 7070 College Parkway, south Fort Myers; call 939-9600 or visit adasmarket.com for details.
A La Carte is a compilation of news and notes from the Southwest Florida food and restaurant scene. Send ideas to taste@news-press.com. Connect with this reporter: @ATometich (Twitter)