Mexican restaurant chain planning Cedar Rapids location

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Mexican fast food chain is opening a Cedar Rapids location as it expands eastward in Iowa, according to a new announcement from Q4 Real Estate.

Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, a Nebraska-based chain with locations in six Midwestern states, is planning to take over the space of a former Taco John’s at 4401 First Ave. SE, near The Home Depot and Lindale Mall. Taco John’s closed there several months ago before moving to a new location next to Panda Express on Collins Road.

An opening date for the new location, which is its first in Eastern Iowa, has not been announced.

Since coming to Des Moines in 2011, the chain has steadily grown to six locations across the Des Moines metro area and Ames. In March, they opened another northwestern Iowa location in Storm Lake.

Across the Midwest, they have 34 locations. Iowa has their second highest number of locations, after Nebraska. Many of their locations in Iowa have repurposed previously closed fast food restaurants.

With an endless menu of Mexican favorites, Abelardo’s offers burritos and breakfast burritos, breakfast plates like huevos rancheros, a la carte standards like tamales and chile rellenos, nachos, taquitos, quesadillas and more.

Most entrees cost around $9 to $12.

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