New sports-themed restaurant to replace Mamacita’s Taco Bar

CEDAR RAPIDS — A new sport-themed restaurant will fill the vacancy left by the May closure of Mamacita’s Taco Bar.

Pregame, the new joint from Cedar Rapids and Marion restaurateur Jade Luter, tentatively plans to open at 3025 Mount Vernon Rd. SE in August.

The new restaurant will offer a throwback to a former favorite on the southeast side: Cork and Fork. With burgers, tenderloins, salads, croissants, a vegan menu and a bar, Luter said the new menu will incorporate some nostalgia to the throwback owned by her family in the same area decades ago.

Luter has opened and expanded a portfolio of other restaurants over the past several years, including Daisy’s Garage in Marion, Cruz’s Cafe in northeast Cedar Rapids, and Kingston’s Steakhouse, which she has since sold.

Mamacita’s was first opened by Haile Duncan at 834 First Ave. NE, the former Moose McDuffy’s space, in March 2022. By the end of 2022, it moved to 3025 Mount Vernon Rd. SE.

Before Mamacita’s, the southeast spot was home to Vernon Bar and Grill.

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