Mexican restaurants to replace Moose McDuffy’s, Riley’s Cafe in Cedar Rapids

Two new Mexican restaurants are coming soon to the 800 block of First Avenue NE. They will be located side-by-side in two vacant spaces at numbers 834 and 836.

Mamacita’s Taco Pub will open at 834, the former home of Moose McDuffy’s. Moose McDuffy’s has been closed for at least a few weeks, although the exact date it closed is unclear.

The new restaurant with tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more, is planning to open in mid-December, according to Phil Wasta, executive director of the MedQuarter Regional Medical District.

Wasta said tequila and margaritas will be their main focus for the bar.

“This will be a fun, colorful place with good vibes that can be your go-to lunch spot or your happy hour stop on the way home from work,” he said.

La Casita Breakfast Cafe soon will move into the space formerly occupied by Riley’s Cafe.

The new cafe, from the owners of Mas Margaritas, will offer classic breakfast dishes as well as a Mexican twist on some breakfast favorites. They’ll also have a full espresso bar and, later on, boozy breakfast favorites like mimosas and Bloody Marys, according to Wasta.

All three Riley’s locations closed at the end of October. The local cafes originally started as Diner on First in 2004.

Comments: Reach reporter Elijah Decious at (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com