'The perfect venture': New Cape Coral sandwich and gourmet hot dog shop opens

Robyn George, Fort Myers News-Press
Updated ·4 min read

Greg Ryng got his first taste of the restaurant business mopping floors in a deli when he was in middle school.

Colleen Brady, meanwhile, has always had a passion for cooking and loves to feed people.

The two have joined forces in “the perfect venture to begin with.”

Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog's grand opening Saturday, Jan. 20, features gourmet hot dogs, deli sandwiches and more.

It’s open along Cape Coral Parkway near the Bimini Basin and Four Freedoms Park. It took over the spot previously occupied by Ice Sssscreamin’, which moved closer to downtown Cape.

Everything from the planter boxes to the paint is new at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog in Cape Coral.
Everything from the planter boxes to the paint is new at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog in Cape Coral.

“It fills a void for specialty food that’s hard to get in Cape Coral,” said Ryng who runs the sandwich half of the business. “With fresh ingredients, extra TLC and oversized sandwiches, people are going to love it.”

Brady already had a loyal following with The Flying Dog food truck which is parked, but not operating, at the new shop.

“I wanted people to know that I was here,” Brady said. “Now they can always find me.”

And they have.

Hot dogs, sandwiches, Bones coffee and more

Her Sabrett 100-percent beef hot dogs have been a huge hit since the soft opening on Jan. 6.

The mac & cheese dog with bacon is served with a knife and fork at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog.
The mac & cheese dog with bacon is served with a knife and fork at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog.

The Chicago dog — with mustard, onion, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and neon relish on a Vienna poppyseed bun — has been a fan favorite, according to Ryng, along with the Carolina and Coney Island dogs.

Hot dogs come in two sizes — the regular 7-inch and ¼-pound dog — and a variety of styles, including Texan Chili and a mac & cheese dog with bacon.

"I serve those with a fork and knife," Ryng said. "They're overflowing and always have extra in the bottom tray."

Be one of the first 100 customers during Saturday’s grand opening and you’ll receive a punch card good for one free 7-inch dog every month throughout 2024.

Greg Ryng and Colleen Brady are the owners of Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog in Cape Coral.
Greg Ryng and Colleen Brady are the owners of Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog in Cape Coral.

It’s just one of the specials happening that day.

Bones Coffee, a family-owned coffee company popular for its creative flavors, will be on hand with free samples from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“You don’t want to miss Bones’ cold brew lattes,” Ryng said. “They’ll be handing out samples in the parking lot. Having Bones here with us all the time is big.”

On the sandwich side, Ryng is serving up all sorts of creative sandwiches including the best-selling “to die for” Reuben.

Bimini Bites owner Greg Ryng takes his time creating the popular Reuben sandwich, grilling it to get the bread just the right amount of crispy.
Bimini Bites owner Greg Ryng takes his time creating the popular Reuben sandwich, grilling it to get the bread just the right amount of crispy.

“It’s the Thousand Island dressing, the fresh ingredients,” he said. “I take my time, grill it, get the bread crispy. And the sauerkraut, the extra melted cheese. It’s overstuffed and so good.”

Ryng offers seven specialty sandwiches.

“The smoked turkey, bacon and avocado is fresh and tastes great,” he added. “The roast beef has a homemade herb cheese spread and comes with lettuce, tomato, red onion and cucumber. Oh, and the Thanksgiving special is sliced turkey, Stove Top stuffing, whole cranberry sauce and lettuce on whole wheat.”

Bimini Bites also has a build-your-own sandwich option with a variety of meat, bread, cheese and topping options, plus salads, soups and specialty and junior smash burgers.

The Chicago dog is one of several specialty hot dogs available at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog.
The Chicago dog is one of several specialty hot dogs available at Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog.

“We’re doing breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Ryng said. “Breakfast is all day with bagel and egg sandwiches.”

Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, you place your order at the side window outside, grab a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables, then pick it up from a front window when your name is called.

And they're working on a system where you can order from your car.

"When it's raining, we'll come out to you to get your order," Ryng said "And we deliver it when it's ready. That will be up and going in the next 30 days."

Ryng and Brady have spent the last two months preparing the building.

More restaurant news: Cape Coral craft cocktail guru stirs, shakes, mixes way to bartender competition title

“You wouldn’t recognize it,” Ryng said. "We painted, added lights, new planter boxes in the front. The inside is completely redone too. We're ready for the grand opening."

Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Dog, 520 Cape Coral Parkway East, Cape Coral; (239) 541-8883; follow Bimini Bites and The Flying Dog on Facebook

Robyn George is a food and dining writer for The Fort Myers News-Press. Send news to rhgeorge@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Bimini Bites Home of The Flying Hot Dog opens in Cape Coral