Chew on This: New taco restaurant coming to C.R., Firehouse Subs opening in I.C.

Taco Gato coming to Cedar Rapids next year

Signs announcing a new restaurant started canvassing a downtown Cedar Rapids storefront this month. All signs point to Taco Gato coming to 209 Third St. SE in 2022.

The restaurant, a member of the Fun Not Fancy Restaurant Group, is adjacent to what will soon be Cliff’s Dive Bar and Grill, in the space formerly filled by Grin N’ Goose.

In addition to being next to Cliff’s Dive Bar and Grill, it will have the same owners. The group also owns three other Cedar Rapids restaurants: Bricks Bar and Grill, LP Street Food and Moco Game Room and Hot Dog Bar.

The group’s Marion holding, The Hip-Stir, will open soon at 1120 Seventh Ave.

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Subs is opening its first Iowa City location this month.

An opening date has not yet been announced for the chain’s 11th Iowa location. The chain has two Cedar Rapids sites offering its specialty subs.

Management is hiring staff for the new location, according to a news release from Firehouse Subs.

Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies, first spotted in an Iowa City storefront in June, held a grand opening for its Iowa City location on Saturday.

The cookie shop’s fourth location opened at 125 E. Washington St. just in time for the fall semester with students, one of the growing chain’s target demographics.

The bakery will offer delivery for warm cookies, ice cream cookie sandwiches, ice cream and cake until 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, and until 1 a.m. other week nights.

Aces and Eights owner opens new bar and grill

A new bar and grill celebrated its grand opening this month after opening earlier this summer.

North Point, located at 621 Center Point Rd. NE in Cedar Rapids, offers a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, in addition to a bar with entertainment in the evening. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. most days, closing at 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Owner Michael Flack previously owned Aces and Eights Saloon on 16th Avenue SW in Czech Village, which closed earlier this summer.

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