The University of Central Florida has lots to offer their students: tailgating on campus, a state-of-the-art gym, proximity to a major city and delicious, deep-fried chicken tenders.
If you’re in the UCF area, there are two places that reign supreme: Tenders and Huey Magoo’s. Subtle differences and a half mile set these two places apart, but they do have one big thing in common…and that is their delicious, finger-lickin’, butt-kickin’ food.
Tenders is located directly across the street from campus in the University Commons plaza alongside the Station and Mad Hatters. Tenders offers two main deals each week: Tenders Tuesday and Tenders Thursday. On Tuesday you get a 5 Tenders Meal (5 tenders, 2 sides, slice of toast, 1 sauce) and a drink for $6.99 and on Thursday you get the 3 Tenders Meal (3 tenders, 1 side, slice of toast, 1 sauce) and a drink for $5.75.
Tenders prides themselves on their cook-to-order, quality chicken tenders and unique sides. The food may take 10-15 minutes to prepare, but it’s well worth it for the piping hot chicken you are about to chow down on.
“What sets us apart is always cooking fresh to order, and having a variety of menu items, side choices and sauces that no other area restaurant has,” says owner Khabeer Mustapha.
I had the deep-fried mac’n’cheese and hush puppies for sides, both of which were piping hot and exquisite. Accompanied with five large chicken tenders, this was a delicious, filling meal.
What Huey Magoo’s may lack in choices for sides, they make up for in rich, UCF tradition. As soon as you walk in to the restaurant, you are greeted with every Knights’ schedule available to man, along with framed memorabilia. The food stop is simple, but they have their culinary experience down to a tee.
You can’t mention Huey Magoo’s without their special sauce. Magoo’s sauce is similar to that of which you may get at Zaxby’s, but dare I say…even more delicious. Their baskets are served with crispy fries, the sweetest and tastiest cole slaw I’ve ever had in my 22 years on this planet and juicy chicken tenders.
The honest truth is that both of these establishments are absolutely divine when it comes to deep-fried poultry. Both are strongly recommended if you’re in the area and looking for a little comfort food.
