It’s one thing to create clever menu concepts, but to prepare and present food that tastes as good as it looks takes real talent. Obviously, that’s something that Southwest Florida restaurateur Shannon Yates has in abundance.
Known for hitting culinary home runs with fine-dining restaurants such as Cru and Bacchus in Fort Myers, Yates has stepped up to the plate once again with Mad Takeout. Located in Pinebrook Plaza, adjacent to Outback Steakhouse, Mad Takeout caters to diners seeking affordable, gourmet-quality food on the run. Thus far, the concept is scoring big with local customers.
Yates says he developed Mad Take-Out to meet the changing needs of area diners. “Obviously, the economy has affected the dining market,” he says, prompting many people to cut back on restaurant visits. But according to Yates, they’re not spending more time cooking at home. “Most of the customers I deal with daily or weekly are ordering take-out if they’re not dining out.”
The trend has been a boon to Yates’ newest business. Since opening in late January, Mad Take-Out has served as many as 1,000 meals per day, mainly during spring training. As the official food supplier of the Boston Red Sox, Mad Take-Out prepares and distributes approximately 700 meals to the team’s players from February through mid-April.
These days, Yates and veteran chef Ruth Cohen stay busy serving hungry locals. Because of its limited retail space and only eight counter seats, the facility is best suited to accommodate the take-out crowd. However, at night, many diners enjoy observing the kitchen activity and interacting with the vivacious Chef Ruth and the rest of Mad Take-Out’s friendly staff.
Customers may place orders in person or via phone, fax or online for takeout or delivery. By take-out, we’re not talking burgers and fries necessarily, although they’re certainly on the menu. Like everything else at Mad Take-Out, they’re of the quality that one would expect from a four-star restaurant.
What’s most remarkable is that the restaurant’s eclectic selection of exceptional food is served more quickly than at most drive-throughs. Whether it’s a salad or a full supper (such as steak or salmon and a side dish), orders usually are ready within five minutes. When you consider that everything is made with ultra-fresh ingredients, prepared on site and cooked to order, that’s saying a lot.
The “action-packed menu,” as Yates describes it, is divided into various categories ranging from soups and salads to sushi (Krafty Rolls) and sandwiches (Madwitches). Krafty Rolls, for example, comprise various inventive spring rolls and sushi rolls, including Yates’ best-selling, signature Krazy Spring Roll (surimi crab, cream cheese, To-Chi sauce and teriyaki glaze). All are available in individual servings as well as platter-sized portions for up to 15 people.
The Fire River Angus Burger (hot pressed and served with black coffee steak sauce) is one of numerous gourmet sandwiches best accompanied by Yates’ famous Truffle Fries (made with Reggiano cheese and white truffle oil), although Just Plain Fries and Sweet Potato Fries are equally delicious. In addition to beef, lamb, turkey and Buffalo chicken burgers, there is a soy- and gluten-free veggie burger. Other meat-free alternatives include: the restaurant’s extensive selection of vegetarian wraps and sandwiches; pasta and rice dishes (listed under “Comfort Food”); and soups (including out-of-this-world Black Bean, Lobster Bisque and Sweet Pea by the cup or bowl).
Pizza also has proven extremely popular with Mad Takeout’s clientele. Customers may build a 12- or 16-inch custom creation or choose from seven basic pies and dozens of toppings. Each is hand-tossed and made with spelt flour (a super-healthy type of wheat flour).
There is also a “Kidz Food” category containing typical children’s fare, such as chicken fingers, fried macaroni and cheese, pasta, sandwiches and even a small salad. Prices range from $2 — $5; kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
Otherwise, prices start at just a few dollars and average $13 — $14 for individual entrees, which come with a choice of side dishes. Many of the salads, pasta and sides are offered in individual, medium and family sizes. The family-style dishes are designed to feed four to six people, although the generous portions may stretch farther.
To further help patrons stretch their food dollar, Mad Take-Out offers Mad Happy Hour specials from 4 p.m. — 6 p.m. daily. Recently, it had a buy one/get one special on pizzas and sushi rolls.
The staff goes out of its way to meet customer requests and with 48 hours’ notice, almost any dish in any quantity is possible, even if it’s not on the menu. Although the restaurant is closed on Sunday, customers can preorder items for pick-up before noon.
Mad Take-Out does not offer on-site catering per se. However, it will prepare and deliver food orders, and even set up upon request. Depending on the order size, delivery service is available to most areas in south Lee County as well as Cape Coral (free for orders of $25 or more).
Mad Take-Out is open six days for lunch and dinner in Pinebrook Plaza, 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers, just north of the Bell Tower Shops. Hours are from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday – Wednesday and until midnight Thursday – Saturday. Open until noon on Sunday only for pickup of special orders. To order: 239-693-TOGO or madtakeout.com.
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