New pair of restaurants plans NewBo opening in former Chrome Horse location

CEDAR RAPIDS — Hold your horses — a new pair of restaurants is coming to a former beloved restaurant space in the New Bohemia district.

Signage for Oddmama’s Vintage Cafe and Rhapsody have started to appear on the windows at 1201 Third St. SE — the former location of The Chrome Horse Saloon.

Oddmama’s Vintage Cafe, a new opening from vintage collectible shop owner Sierra Damico, will offer a breakfast and lunch concept alongside merchandise from a variety of local artists and creators.

“I’ll have several local artists and vendors selling their items within this space as well,” Damico said. “Anything from greenery to canning to window art.”

The concept will be Damico’s second business, after Oddmama’s Vintage Collectibles in Cedar Rapids, which will remain open alongside the restaurant.

“They’re different concepts, but the same name — growing the name,” the first-time restaurant owner said.

  Buy Photo

Oddmama’s Vintage Cafe will serve a variety of breakfast and lunch staples like pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and specialty sandwiches, alongside other unique menu items like German Sweet Cream Pancakes from a 100-year-old family recipe.

Diners will be able to find fresh bread, baked goods, soups, coffee beverages, cocktails and specialty juices.

The cafe plans to open this fall.

On the other side of the former Chrome Horse space, Damico will help run Rhapsody, a separate restaurant concept, in partnership with the café’s general manager and executive chef.

The full-service concept, still under development, will include a patio and live music on the built-in stage.

Rhapsody hopes to open next spring, Damico said.

The space’s former occupant, The Chrome Horse, closed in September 2024 after a 21-year run in Cedar Rapids.

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

Get the latest restaurant news, food reviews and insider tips from the Chew on This newsletter.