116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401

Elijah Decious
The first time I learned how to ask good questions was at age 5, when I learned Santa Claus was not real. “Whose lap have I been sitting on all these years?!” was the first question I asked, according to my mother.
I’m a features reporter for The Gazette, which means I have the opportunity to get to know folks on a more personal level, show people the best parts of life and demonstrate how daily news affects members of the community. In addition to covering restaurants and food news, I serve on The Gazette’s Fact Checker team and have a particular passion for human interest pieces as well as stories focusing on marginalized communities.
Sometimes, taking a moment to listen to others and reflect on what they say — even those who might not think they have much of a story to tell — really puts things in perspective.
When I’m not reporting, I like to travel, go bird watching, search for new items to add to my Peanuts collection and keep my cat from scaring away the cardinals on my balcony.
Get the weekly Chew on This newsletter or sign up for Elijah’s free weekly text alerts .
Latest Articles by Elijah Decious
Restaurants Feb. 15, 2022 6:00 am
About 17 years after it left Williams Boulevard SW, all signs point to Donutland bringing a full-service location back to Southwest Cedar Rapids.
Restaurants Feb. 9, 2022 3:24 pm
The menus are revealed for Cedar Rapids Restaurant Week 2022, which is extended to 10 days this year. There’s also a change to the Fork and Knife Feast.
Restaurants Feb. 8, 2022 6:00 am
John’s Grocery will be shifting its focus to expand in other areas like online shopping.
Restaurants Feb. 8, 2022 6:00 am
Less than a year after Pei’s Ohana Mandarin closed, former manager David Pei is opening a new Asian eatery.
People & Places Feb. 7, 2022 3:22 pm
Before it starts a new chapter, patrons reflect on decades of memories made at Basix as they hope future generations make the same memories in Cedar Rapids’ only remaining LGBTQ bar.
Community Feb. 7, 2022 6:00 am
After the pandemic accelerated declining membership trends, service organizations like Downtown Rotary and the Junior League are reevaluating how to recruit new members.
Books Feb. 4, 2022 12:02 pm
Since the pandemic, libraries have seen an increase in the number of donated books that are not usable for resale purposes. Here are some guidelines to consider before you donate.
Books Feb. 3, 2022 7:00 pm
Andrew Steele, a computational biologist and author of “Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old,” will discuss the science of aging and how it’s more than just a matter of time.
Restaurants Feb. 3, 2022 10:22 am
Cranky Hank’s is making lots of dough again in an old Shellsburg bank after a 7-year hiatus from its Cedar Rapids locations.
Restaurants Feb. 3, 2022 2:14 pm
Czech Town Station will soon offer chimichangas, French toast, cocktails and lunch at the former Lost & Found Provisions and Spirits location in the Czech Village.
Restaurants Feb. 1, 2022 6:00 am
A sommelier will lead guests through a tasting of eight French wines while they enjoy light appetizers during the The Láska z Francie (Love from France) Wine Tasting on Feb. 10 at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
People & Places Jan. 28, 2022 12:06 pm
Institutions across Eastern Iowa are evolving their definition of inclusivity with new and established programming that brings sensory needs to the forefront.
Restaurants Jan. 26, 2022 6:00 am
Almost 10 years after it opened its first location, Jamaican Pat reopens a permanent home base in NewBo City Market, the location where it all started.
Restaurants Jan. 26, 2022 6:00 am
BrrrFest, an annual celebration of craft brewing, returns to Coralville for its 10th year on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.
Restaurants Jan. 25, 2022 6:00 am
A new restaurant from the Nanke Group is open after more than a year of pandemic delays.