116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
New fried chicken, fish restaurant plans Cedar Rapids opening
Oct. 23, 2024 5:00 am, Updated: Dec. 9, 2024 5:42 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A new fried chicken and fish restaurant is coming to Cedar Rapids soon.
Captain’s Fish and Chicken, opening tentatively this month in the Mound View neighborhood, will bring a restaurant model tested in three other states.
Owner Ray Aqel, a new restaurateur to Iowa, is planning the restaurant around its fried food, seafood, and Chicago-style sandwiches including gyros and cheesesteak sandwiches. Aqel has previously opened and sold the same restaurant model in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan. For the last year, he has operated a mobile shawarma business.
The restaurant at 1616 First Ave. NE, straddling the boundary between Mound View and Wellington Heights near the neighborhood’s former Hy-Vee, could open as early as this week. Aqel plans to have the restaurant open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The casual, counter service spot will replace Guatemex Restaurant Elenita. The former Guatemalan-Mexican hybrid eatery was open there from June 2023 to January 2024.
Before Guatemex, the location was Brick City Grill.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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