Tacopocalypse coming to Coralville

Coralville's Iowa River Landing on Wednesday announced changes for the mixed-use development on the Iowa River.

Tacopocalypse, a Des Moines counter service restaurant that features Asian-inspired tacos, will be opening a location in IRL later this summer.

Tacopocalypse's menu features items that combine flavors from the East, West and the American South. All items are made from scratch, and the menu includes selections for vegan and vegetarian diners as well as gluten-free and other special diets.

Tacopocalyse in Des Moines' East Village has been featured on Food Network's 'Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”

'I started cooking on my own when I was about 6 years old, and have always been curious about food, and how it could be done better or differently,” said Sam Auen, owner of Tacopocalypse, in a news release.

'At 17, I began cooking at a Korean-owned restaurant in Denison, Iowa, where I started learning about Asian food and technique. This was the beginning of what people are experiencing now at Tacopocalypse.”

Auen said the menu at the IRL will be similar to what is offered in Des Moines with a few minor changes.

'My vision goes beyond just executing a menu and coming up with a new special,” he said. 'I always need to be doing something new, creating new concepts, and expanding my business.”

In another development, University of Iowa Healthcare recently completed and opened the fourth and fifth floors of its IRL facility. The expansion added 42 examination rooms, increasing the number of clinic exam rooms from 99 to 141.

'The completion of the fourth and fifth floors has dramatically increased our ability to serve our patients,” said Steve Woodward, administrator, University of Iowa Healthcare, in a news release. 'Prior to completion, we were seeing approximately 500 to 600 appointments a day. With the completion of the fourth and fifth floors, that number will rise between 700 and 900.”