MARION — A family-owned group of Mexican restaurants is opening the lion’s share of its new growth south of the border — of Wisconsin.
La Leona, whose owners run restaurants in Illinois, Wisconsin and northeastern Iowa, are planting their first flag in the Corridor with a Marion location.
The brand’s third spot, which opened Oct. 13 at 1011 Eagleview Drive, fills the vacancy left by the Golden Palace Chinese Buffet, which closed around early June.
La Leona, the name of the owners’ home in Mexico that translates to “the lioness,” imports the flavors of their native Jalisco state, on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
If You Go
Address: 1011 Eagleview Drive, Marion
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Phone: (319) 249-1287
Details: A menu of homestyle, Jalisco-inspired Mexican cuisine includes salads, nachos, fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, tacos, enchiladas and many other signatures. Margaritas and alcoholic beverages to be added in the future. Most entrees average about $15.
The dining room at La Leona in Marion.
Savannah Blake/The Gazette
A growing footprint
Two brothers, Francisco and Marcos Lugo, and Marcos’ brother-in-law, Roberto Zarate, join forces for the third La Leona location.
The brand has opened three locations in just as many years. Starting in Winnebago, Illinois, it has quickly blossomed with a second opening in Dubuque in November 2025 before opening its first Corridor location in Marion.
The trio has grown Mexican restaurant holdings of other names across the Upper Midwest, starting in Wisconsin in 2003. But in Iowa, they see a more promising business environment.
They discovered the vacancy on the growing eastern side of Marion, where restaurants are multiplying near U.S. Highway 151, during a recent drive to Mexico.
“We chose Marion because we want to focus a little more on (being near) big cities. In Marion, I think the city is big enough for more (Mexican restaurants,)” Francisco said. “Before Marion, I wanted to go to Davenport.”
The Marion location, opening at a pivotal time for the industry as the economy struggles, will be a test for their ambitious future, with at least two locations in mind.
The Lugo brothers, who grew up working in restaurants spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota and Florida, are the third generation in their family to work in the restaurant industry.
“The restaurant life is kind of like the circus life, it brings you everywhere,” Francisco told The Gazette. “I tried doing something else, and I had to go back to the restaurant because I couldn’t. That’s (how we) stand out — we have the love of cooking and the love of the restaurant.”
The pastor tacos are seen Oct. 20 at La Leona in Marion. The new location is the family-owned chain’s first in the Corridor.
Savannah Blake/The Gazette
The food
With several items unique to its Marion location, about 90% of La Leona’s menu is inspired by the tastes of Jalisco.
The southwestern Mexican state is known for being the originator of birria, the style of tacos served with consomme dipping broth that have found trending resurgence in American cuisine over the last several years. In La Leona, diners will find a unique spice blend of anatol, achiote and others ground from scratch that bring both a vibrant palate and color to plates without food dyes.
In the back-of-house, Marcos works the kitchen with an emphasis on quality over quantity.
“It’s basically home cooking,” Francisco said. “We’re huge on seasoning.”
Signature burritos via the coastal city of Puerto Vallarta, chimichangas in the style of Acapulco, tacos with sweet al pastor pork, and pork belly appetizers stand out as popular items with diners.
In Marion, about 10 entrées serve as exclusives — among them Pollo San Jose, seafood molcajete served in volcanic mortar, and whole-fish tacos.
With a liquor license in the works, they soon hope to serve every margarita flavor under the sun.
“We want to do every flavor imaginable,” the co-owner said. “In Dubuque, we have 27 flavors.”
Dining and Cooking