Olive Tree moves as Cedar Rapids’ first Salvadoran restaurant closes

Jul. 19, 2022 6:00 am

A new sign for Olive Tree Restaurant is seen at 2201 16th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids on July 15, 2022. The restaurant moved into the space on July 9 shortly after previous occupant, Rosy’s Salvadoran & Mexican Restaurant, closed. (Elijah Decious/The Gazette)

Olive Tree moves as Cedar Rapids’ first Salvadoran restaurant closes

CEDAR RAPIDS — Less than a year after it opened last fall, Rosy’s Salvadoran & Mexican restaurant closed earlier this month.

The restaurant at 2201 16th Ave. SW was Cedar Rapids’ only taste of cuisine from El Salvador, serving savory pupusas filled with beans, cheese and meats.

Nursing assistant Rosalia Chavez, a Salvadoran immigrant, was the first one in her family to achieve the dream of opening a restaurant.

The restaurant’s vacancy was quickly filled by Mouniff Shaheen, owner of Olive Tree Family Restaurant. Shaheen, who owns the building, moved The Olive Tree from its former location across the street near what is now BurgerFiend, where it operated for about 17 years.

Olive Tree reopened at 2201 16th Ave. SW on July 9. It will be maintaining the new location as its only site.

Olive Tree serves all-day breakfast and homemade soups.

Comments: (319) 398-8340; elijah.decious@thegazette.com