Lehigh Acres Zaxby’s Opens Next Week

OK! This place is one of my favorite stops for chicken and now our Lehigh Acres friends can enjoy Zaxby's too. They're opening a new location, making it the third here in Southwest Florida.

If you haven't tried Zaxby's yet, this is your sign. As a regular, allow me to offer a couple suggestions to the first timers.

I have two favorites, hands down. The first is the Chicken Finger Plate. The meal comes with tenders, crinkle cut fries, Texas toast and Zaxby's sauce, which is delish. I mean you really could drink the stuff.

If you're wanting to add some veggies into your meal, you've gotta try the Cobb Zalad. It's mixed greens with carrots and red cabbage, Cheddar Jack cheese, bacon, hard-boiled egg, cucumbers, tomatoes, and fried onions. You have the option to add fried or grilled chicken and dressing. AND, it comes with the Texas Toast. They have a few other Zalads too!

Most recently, I did give the new Southern Fried Shrimp a try, and it did not disappoint.

The Lehigh Acres Zaxby's location will be open on Monday, June 10th at 5557 Lee Blvd, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971. There are two additional Zaxby's locations here in Southwest Florida, both in Fort Myers.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first 100 guests, 16 and over, in line who make a purchase will receive a Zaxby's “Deck of Dealz” voucher for free food and discounts.

“We are looking forward to expanding our existing Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area footprint with our first location in Lehigh Acres. As local owners and operators we are passionate about providing our community with ‘flavor-full’ chicken and giving back. Having lived in the Lee County community for 52 years and teaching local school children for 20 of them, we’re excited and look forward to partnering with student organizations at local schools to share our passion for entrepreneurship,” said Rusti Clinger, owner and operator of Deklam Lehigh, LLC. “Everyone has a seat at our table and we cannot wait to see you soon!”

When driving down the road in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of popular fast food options.  There’s a McDonald’s, Chick-Fil-A, Taco Bell or some other drive-thru fast food stop on pretty much every corner.

I've mentioned before that I am an avid TikTok user. I follow a ton of foodie influencers from other parts of the country and it seems like we might be missing out on some popular fast food joints here in Southwest Florida.

The folks over at TimeOut released their list of the 15 best fast food restaurants in America, and it's confirmed that some of the most popular locations aren't in Southwest Florida or even in Florida or the Southeast Region of the United States, for that matter.

One popular fast food joint, in particular, currently trending on social platforms; In-N-Out. The Flying Dutchman, one of their most popular menu items, is all the rage right now.

I have to admit, I have tried a copy cat version at home and I can't wait to get my hands on the real thing. It's messy, but worth it. On the inside you'll get a two beef patties with two slices of cheese, there is no bun. It's become more popular as of late as people have started using grilled onions as the bun, with a squeeze of pepperoncini to give it a little extra kick.

Unfortunately, the closest location to us here in Fort Myers is in Houston, Texas. So unless you have plans to travel out west, the copy cat version will have to do for now.

In addition to In-N-Out, there are other fast food joints we are definitely missing out on. I've tried a few, but not all.

Let's take a look at some of these popular fast food joints in other parts of the country, that we are missing out on in Southwest Florida.

I think this one goes without saying.  Raising Cane's has gained so much popularity from social media recently, and with huge collaborations, like Post Malone and Barstool Sports.  According to The Raising Cane's website, their concept is simple and unique.  They say they only have ONE LOVE – quality chicken finger meals!

Raising Cane's is inching closer to Fort Myers.  They've got 16 locations in Florida, the closest to us is in Clearwater, FL.

OK!  I have been to Whataburger and it is delicious.  Think drive-thru really late at night when you need something greasy in your belly.  There are 45 locations in Florida, but the closest to us in SWFL is all the way in St. Augustine.

Another chicken joint.  I've stopped at a Bojangles many, many times for breakfast in North Carolina and the country ham biscuit is my go to!!!  Another must try, the Bo-Berry.

Right now, they've got one Florida location located in Clermont, about three hours north of us in SWFL.

I think I went to a Jack In The Box while on vacation in Hawaii like 20 years ago and I don't recall it knockin' my socks off.  But, I do see Jack In The Box getting some love on TikTok, so we might be missing out.  They stay open late with a typical fast food menu of burgers, chicken sandwiches, CURLY FRIES, chicken fingers and shakes.

Like In-N-Out, no Jack In The Box locations in Florida or even close by.  The closest store is in California...whomp, whomp.

Another fast food place I haven't tried, but I can bet I would love.  What's not to love?  It's Mexican fast food, what could go wrong.  As all of the other places I've mentioned, I learned about Del Taco on TikTok, from one of my favorite influencers, SnackQween.

From what I can tell, it's a lot like Taco Bell.  They've got 2 for $3 Mix-N-Match deals and are open late.

There are several Del Taco locations in Florida and the closest isn't that far from SWFL, it's in Bradenton.  There are two locations there, one on 14th Street W and the second on Manatee Ave.  That's a doable drive for sure, especially a great option as you make your way to Tampa or Orlando for summer road trips.