Cedar Rapids restaurateurs close Chophouse Downtown, Mezcal Tequila Cocina suddenly

CEDAR RAPIDS — A restaurateur couple closed their two Cedar Rapids restaurants without warning last week.

Owners Joe and Ryan Avila-Burillo announced the immediate closure of Chophouse Downtown, 411 First St. SE, on social media Aug. 1. Their other restaurant, Mezcal Tequila Cocina, quietly closed around the same time with no social media posting.

The owners blamed the removal of parking meters, competition from restaurants with free parking and “the increasing number of homeless individuals” for contributing to their decline. They also cited rising food costs, staffing difficulties and the upcoming flood wall installation adjacent to the restaurant on the Cedar River as reasons to close now.

“We know we are not alone in this struggle. … It breaks out hearts to see so many beloved establishments forced to close their doors,” they said in a statement. “We sincerely hope that our city will step in to support and preserve these vital small businesses.”

Mezcal Tequila Cocina, the Spanish-fusion restaurant with ample free parking located across from Lindale Mall, closed for different reasons. The building rented by Mezcal at 5070 Lindale Dr. NE was sold; the new landlord assumed control Aug. 1, according to the restaurant owners.

“It was a key decision-maker,” Ryan Avila-Burillo told The Gazette. “Ultimately Mezcal was in a saturated market for its cuisine.”

Chophouse Downtown opened in September 2021 in the space previously occupied by Bourbon Creek Smokehouse. Mezcal Tequila Cocina opened in northeast Cedar Rapids in November.

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