New Salsa Guy Cafe restaurant planned for former Sweet Basil’s building

A new cafe is coming soon to the building previously home to Sweet Basil’s Pizza Pie in Cedar Rapids.

Salsa Guy Cafe, a spinoff of the business known as “The Salsa Guy” with products sold at local farmers markets and Hy-Vees, will be opening this month at 2874 Mount Vernon Rd. SE. An opening date has not yet been announced.

The opening appears to be the first brick-and-mortar venture for the business, which makes local salsa, guacamole, salad dressings and barbecue sauces. More recently, it also has been known for vending breakfast burritos, nachos and barbecue sandwiches on the street.

The Sweet Basil building has been in limbo since the pizzeria closed in February 2020. Signage for Green Go Restaurant appeared toward the end of 2022, but the concept was short-lived.

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