Rio Burritos is seen Aug. 16, 2023, at 5001 First Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids.
Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette
CEDAR RAPIDS — A popular Mexican restaurant is expanding for the first time since it planted roots in northeast Cedar Rapids.
Rio Burritos, currently at 5001 First Ave. NE, will soon have a second spot at 2300 Edgewood Road SW, Suite G. The location initially opened as a Buff City Soap shop in 2021 before closing several months ago.
Phoebe Rios, owner of Rio Burritos, hopes to have the new, full-service location open toward the end of the year. She still is considering the name — whether it will be called Rio Burritos or something new.
But the menu will be decidedly different from the family-run restaurant’s current focus on the northeast side. Aside from a few popular staples, like birria, most of the menu will be new.
Rios anticipates year-round tamales there, which are currently only available by preorder at select times. She said the new menu will be more streamlined with authentic dishes that can’t be found at other local Mexican restaurants.
“There’s going to be names on there they probably won’t be able to pronounce, and that’s great — we’ll help them with that,” she said.
Elijah Decious poses for a portrait in Fort Dodge, Iowa, in February 2021.
Chad Thompson/The Messenger
Tortillas on the southwest side will be made from scratch, ratcheting up the restaurant’s existing scratch-made ethos.
Rios said the demand for Mexican food continues to fuel their growth, despite complaints from social media users about the proliferation of Mexican restaurants.
“If you look at places like Applebee’s, IHOP, all the other chains have a Mexican option on them. Even the bars have a quesadilla or nachos or fajitas on their menu,” she said. “Those are staples that people around here like.”
Elijah Decious covers food and features on a variety of topics for The Gazette. He can be reached at elijah.decious@thegazette.com or (319) 398-8340.
Dining and Cooking