116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Captain’s Fish and Chicken opens second location in Cedar Rapids
May. 20, 2025 3:50 pm
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A popular restaurant for fried fare has opened a second location in short order.
Captain’s Fish and Chicken, introduced to Cedar Rapids in October 2024 near the Mound View and Wellington Heights neighborhoods at 1616 First Ave. NE, opened its second location in the former Bea’s Cafe and Riley’s Cafe.
The second location, 3100 Sixth St. SW, opened May 16.
“People have been asking us to come to the other side of town,” said owner Ray Aqel.
The new location will have the same menu but slightly different hours from its First Avenue location.
Fried chicken wings, tenders, gizzards and liver appear on the menu alongside other fried specialties like catfish, cod and shrimp.
All of them are breaded in a medium-bodied cornmeal breading that comes to life with a bright taste from freshly ground lemon pepper — the main seasoning. It’s a specialty Aqel honed through many years of working at and managing other Chicago restaurants since 2006.
Fried catfish, which in Aqel’s preparation takes on a very similar flavor profile to fried chicken, is the most popular item.
It has also added mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese to its list of sides.
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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