Polanco opens Mexican restaurant in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — When one Mexican restaurant door closes, another one opens.

Polanco Mexican Restaurant, one of the newest ones in Cedar Rapids, opened in early August at 3025 Mount Vernon Road SE, Suite 2.

The space was previously home to Casa de Ojos Locos, a sports bar with an American and Mexican menu by restaurateur Jade Luter. Before that, Luter opened Pregame Brew & Chew there before moving the concept to northeast Cedar Rapids.

“At Polanco Mexican Restaurant, we bring the vibrant flavors, rich traditions and warm hospitality of Mexico to the heart of Cedar Rapids,” the restaurant said in an introductory social media post. “Inspired by the beautiful Polanco district in Mexico City, our restaurant blends authentic recipes with a modern dining experience.”

The new menu focuses more extensively on Mexican cuisine, including tacos, seafood, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas and garnachas — a thick masa base topped with meats and other accoutrements.