116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Xolo Mexican restaurant opens in North Liberty
May. 20, 2025 3:47 pm, Updated: May. 21, 2025 6:02 pm
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NORTH LIBERTY — Cedar Rapids restaurateurs are expanding to Johnson County with their latest opening.
Ariel Barrios, Ozzy Aguirre and Raul Gomez, co-owners of Cafe Tacuba and Mextizo in Cedar Rapids, have opened Xolo in North Liberty. The new Mexican restaurant, which will mirror most of the food and drink offerings from Mextizo, opened on May 13 at 1295 Jordan St.
A grand opening is scheduled for May 22.
“We wanted to create the same atmosphere for people over there. I’ve been hearing in the North Liberty and Iowa City area, to my surprise, that nobody has anything like what we’re offering,” said Barrios. “That’s why we came to North Liberty. We saw the opportunity and jumped in.”
The address previously served as El Patron, another Mexican bar and grill.
The owners said the new restaurant will help bring their style to nearby Coralville, Iowa City and Tiffin.
“That area is growing fast, so I believe we’re in a good spot,” Barrios said. “As long as the community supports us, I believe we’ll be there for a long time.”
Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.
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