New Mexican restaurant planned for NewBo with former Mas Margaritas, La Cantina partners

CEDAR RAPIDS — A new restaurant has opened in the brick building previously home to Fong’s Pizza in the New Bohemia neighborhood.

Cafe Tacuba, a Mexican restaurant with what appears to be a more refined artistic interior, quietly opened Saturday at 1003 Third St. SE, with plans for a grand opening this week.

Diners may be familiar with some of the owners’ work already. Co-owner Ariel Barrios was previously a partner in La Cantina’s downtown Cedar Rapids location, which closed in 2021. Ozzy Aguirre, another partner in the venture, was previously known for his margaritas as Mas Margaritas, which he left in October.

Although a menu has not yet been posted online, Barrios says it will serve breakfast, lunch dinner with home cooking inspired by Aguirre’s family in Guadalajara and Mexico City. Aguirre flew his mother, grandmother and aunts in from Mexico to teach the new staff, he said.

“Our goal is to bring the true flavor from Mexico,” Aguirre said.

Barrios also owns Porfirio’s in Anamosa and the recently opened Tequilero in Vinton.

“We're glad to be back in Cedar Rapids. We want to serve customers with the best service and the best atmosphere,” he said. “It's not just another Mexican restaurant.”

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.