Cedar Rapids restaurant group announces first closure at Taco Gato

CEDAR RAPIDS — Taco Gato will be closing toward the end of November, less than two years after opening.

The Southern-Mexican hybrid’s last day open will be Saturday, Nov. 23.

“This decision has not come lightly, as we’ve poured our hearts and souls into creating a vibrant space for our community to enjoy delicious food, laughter, and memorable moments,” owners Justin Zehr and Tim Kindl said in a joint statement. “Despite our love for this venture, we have realized that we need to focus our unique energy and talents in areas where we can truly thrive. It’s essential for us to make choices that align with our vision and where we can find lasting success.”

The Fun Not Fancy holding opened at 209 Third St. SE in April 2023 to serve a blend of Mexican, Tex-Mex and Southern cuisine set to a backdrop of niche, rustic decor like Dia de Los Muertos-inspired mannequins, Luchador wrestling masks and crocheted blankets.

Taco Gato’s closure is the first for the restaurant group, which has quickly become one of Linn County’s fastest growing, independent restaurant groups. Since opening LP Street Food in 2018, the Fun Not Fancy group has expanded to seven restaurants across Cedar Rapids and Marion.

Its other holdings include Moco Game Room & Hot Dog Bar, the Hip-stir, Cliff’s Dive Bar, Sacred Cow and Bricks Bar & Grill.

Kindle and Zehr previously expressed concerns to The Gazette about the dominance of Big Grove Brewery’s new taproom and Pickle Palace in the Kingston Yard development — whose venues have enough seats to overpower virtually all their restaurants combined.

“It affects everything within a couple miles. It’s a simple reality,” Zehr told The Gazette. “It can be exciting for a community, but it can also hurt at the same time.”

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