Chicken tender restaurant makes airport debut at SRQ

A chain specializing in chicken tenders has opened at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. Huey Magoo’s is beyond security at Terminal B.

The chain that offers hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders now has 77 locations across a dozen states. Other Huey Magoo's restaurants in the region are in Cape Coral, Odessa and Pinellas Park. Founded in 2004, the company is headquartered in Orlando.

"Opening our first airport location allows us to introduce the brand to an even broader audience while delivering the same high-quality experience our guests have come to love,” Huey Magoo's President and CEO Andy Howard says in a statement. "This milestone marks an exciting step in our growth strategy.”

In addition to being the brand’s first restaurant in an airport, the Huey Magoo’s at SRQ is the first for the chain to offer breakfast. Served from 5 to 10 a.m., the breakfast menu includes a breakfast burrito or bowl with chicken tenders, scrambled eggs and melted cheese along with breakfast potatoes and choice of hot honey, gravy or hot sauce as well as the option of bacon; also available are three- and five-piece tender meals with breakfast potatoes.

For lunch and dinner, diners can order a three- or five-piece tender meal with fries, Texas toast and a choice of house-made dip, as well as a sandwich, salad or wrap containing hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders drizzled with Huey Magoo’s signature sauce.

Spanning 842 square feet, Huey Magoo’s at SRQ — called Huey Magoo’s On the Fly — is operated by Lauren Mitchell, who has 20 years of restaurant industry experience, according to a statement. 

"I'm incredibly proud to open the first Huey Magoo's airport location and introduce the brand to travelers at SRQ," Mitchell says in the statement. "Whether they're just arriving or heading out on an adventure, guests can now enjoy our signature tenders in a convenient and travel-friendly setting.”

Hours are 5 a.m. to the last flight departure daily.

Located next to Jimmy John's, Huey Magoo's On the Fly is the latest addition to Terminal B at SRQ. In June, Sarasota restaurant Mattison’s opened a location on the concourse as well. This spring, Starbucks renovated its space in Terminal B, where Salt & Tide bar also opened. Still to come as part of the concourse’s updated refreshment options are Motorworks Brewing, The Salty Key and Wahlburgers.

This article originally appeared on sister site BusinessObserverFL.com.