Chew on This: BurgerFiend expands, Cocktail Classic returns, Nothing Bundt Cakes comes to Coralville

Here’s what’s new this week on the restaurant scene in the Corridor.

BurgerFiend has opened a second Cedar Rapids location at 2020 16th Ave. SW.

The locally owned fast food restaurant has expanded from its other location at 3980 Center Point Rd. NE.

With a specialization on quality burgers and milkshakes, the burger chain also offers grilled cheese sandwiches and gyros.

BurgerFiend was previously open at its 16th Avenue SW location from 2014 to 2017, when it decided to focus its efforts on the Center Point Road location that replaced the closing Spring House restaurant.

“We had limited funds to do what we wanted to do, which was open more locations,” said Sean Lekin, marketing manager.

BurgerFiend focused its efforts on its Center Point location to make it into a model for future restaurants, he said. The reopening of its 16th Avenue SW location has been in the works for some time but was delayed by the pandemic.

“Demand is what opened it back up,” Lekin said.

Burgerfiend’s simple menu boasts all-natural ground beef with no preservatives and a kick of bacon for flavor. Toppings like sauteed mushrooms and onions are available for free and milkshakes use high-quality ice cream alongside three other ingredients.

“It’s across the board simple. We don’t have a thousand things on our menu,” he said.

BurgerFiend, owned by Ali Igram, will soon offer online ordering through its website. The new location offers drive-up service and delivery through DoorDash, in addition to dine-in and carryout.

NewBo City Market and Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery have invited bars and restaurants to participate in a socially distanced, outdoors Annual Cocktail Classic on May 25, according to a news release from NewBo City Market.

Tickets to the al fresco cocktail experience are available now for $45. There, patrons can taste a showcasing of bourbon-based creations. All cocktails will be crafted from Cedar Ridge’s award-winning Iowa Bourbon Whiskey.

The fundraiser benefits NewBo City Market and its nonprofit mission as a small business incubator.

Local food trucks will pair a meal with the cocktails, set to live music from Alicia Monee & Invisible Jazz

A panel of judges will name the Cocktail Classic Champion winner and guests will have the opportunity to vote for “The People’s Choice.” Participating bars include Local Pour, Bari, Black Sheep Social Club and The Hip-stir.

Nothing Bundt Cakes has opened a new location at 2611 James St., Suite 100, in Coralville.

The franchise opened in December.

“Each recipe uses the finest ingredients, real eggs, butter and cream cheese, to bring you Bundt cake perfection,” the franchise’s website promises.

Offerings include tiered cakes, miniature cakes, Bundtinis and Bundtlet Towers.

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