Abelardo’s opens second fast food Mexican restaurant in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, a growing Midwest fast food chain, has opened its second Cedar Rapids location less than a year after the first.

The second location opened on Monday, April 29, at 11 Wilson Ave. Drive SW., not far from Czech Village.

It follows Abelardo’s first in Eastern Iowa, which opened toward the end of 2023 at 4401 First Ave. SE, a former Taco John’s building near The Home Depot and Lindale Mall.

Since coming to Des Moines in 2011, the Nebraska-based chain has steadily grown to six locations across the Des Moines metro area and Ames. It has locations in six states, including Iowa.

The new location on the southwest side was previously a Dairy Queen that closed in June 2022 after sustaining heavy fire damage.

The restaurant’s menu features burritos, breakfast plates like huevos rancheros, a la carte standards like tamales, taquitos, quesadillas and more, at a modest price range between $9 and $12. Unlike many traditional Mexican restaurants, most Abelardo’s locations also feature a drive-thru.

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