Chew on This: Villa’s Patio expanding to Cedar Rapids, Tru Coffee opening in Iowa City

Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery in Walford announced on social media that starting May 25 it would be opening at 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon on Saturdays and Sundays until further notice. It will also be closed all day this coming Sunday and Monday, which is Memorial Day.

The restaurant previously opened at 11 a.m. every day.

“We apologize for any inconvenience but will need to continue with this schedule until we can get enough staff hired and trained to better cover all shifts,” the restaurant said on its Facebook page. “Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

The restaurant will continue to close at midnight Mondays through Thursdays, 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on Sundays.

Villa’s Patio expanding to Cedar Rapids

Villa’s Patio Mexican Restaurant in Marion is planning a second location in Cedar Rapids.

Owner Andres Torres said the new location will open at 5200 Fountain Dr. NE, the former location of Paradise Indian Grill. Paradise opened at its new Hiawatha location, 1950 Blairs Ferry Rd., on Sunday.

Andres said Villa’s Patio in Cedar Rapids will open in mid-July.

“We really liked the (new) location,” he said. “It was always in the back of our mind to expand. (This was) a solid chance.”

Villa’s Marion location first opened in 2004. It briefly closed in June 2019 after a fire, reopening in March 2020 after undergoing a complete remodel because of smoke damage.

Tru Coffee takes Dash Coffee Roaster’s place in Iowa City

New coffee shop Tru Coffee will open June 1 at 287 N. Linn St. in Iowa City.

The shop, opening at the former location of Dash Coffee Roasters, is owned by Haley Kesterson and Tucker Shepard. The former Dash baristas announced the new joint venture on May 13.

Tru Coffee will feature Cat & Cloud Coffee, Hugo Tea and snacks from Breadtopia.

“We are excited to cultivate community and build new relationships in our new space,” the new shop said in a Facebook post. “People first, coffee second.”

The shop is named after Trudi Kesterson, Haley's mother, who recently died.

“We only share this because Trudi was the most giving, bubbly, charismatic woman who made the biggest impact on people’s lives,” the Facebook post said. “Tru is our passion to keep her life and honor alive.”

Dash Coffee Roasters will remain open at its original location in Cedar Rapids at 120 Third Ave. SW. Owner Rebecca Weinbrenner closed the Iowa City location May 22.

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