New restaurant planned for former Cedar Rapids Dairy Queen location

CEDAR RAPIDS — A new, fast-casual Mexican restaurant is planning to take over the property of a former Dairy Queen in southwest Cedar Rapids.

Renovation is underway for Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh at 11 Wilson Ave. SW, across from the Czech National Cemetery, according to a social media post from Q4 Real Estate.

The fast-casual chain, which is concurrently planning another location in the space of a former Taco John’s at 4401 First. Ave. SE, plans to open its second location in spring 2024, according to Q4. An opening date for the first-announced location near Lindale Mall, which is now displaying new signage and fresh paint, has not been made public.

The Nebraska-based chain has 34 locations across the Midwest. Since coming to Des Moines in 2011, the chain has grown to six locations across the Des Moines metro area and Ames. Iowa represents its second largest market, after Nebraska.

The menu features burritos, breakfast plates like huevos rancheros, a la carte standards like tamales, taquitos, quesadillas and more, at a modest price range between $9 and $12. Unlike many traditional Mexican restaurants, most Abelardo’s locations also feature a drive-thru.

The southwest Dairy Queen, at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Bowling Street SW, closed in June 2022 after sustaining heavy fire damage, where firefighters reported seeing flames as high as 20 feet in the air. High heat and smoke prevented safe firefighter operations inside as the Cedar Rapids Fire Department arrived, when the fire broke through the roof and burned away support systems for the air handling unit.

A ladder unit and several ground lines were used to hit the fire at multiple points, clearing the fire in roughly an hour. No injuries to employees, customers or firefighters were reported.

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