A mainstay in the Cedar Rapids restaurant scene surprised many on Monday when they announced they would close up shop this month.

Chrome Horse Saloon, open for business in Cedar Rapids for 21 years, announced in a social media post that they would be closing for good. The post states that Chrome Horse will close on September 28th. You would be hard-pressed to find many people who had not been to Chrome Horse at one time or another in the past two decades. They featured live and local music both indoors and on their back patio. It was also a great place to gather and watch Iowa Hawkeye football games.

And of course, there was the food. Courtlin and I did Listener Lunch at Chrome Horse for many years, and each time the food was always great. How could you not love their amazing nacho plates?

Yesterday, Chrome Horse thanked all the customers who stood by them through some amazingly tough times for the restaurant. They survived the flood, and a fire, and made it through the pandemic in 2020. Chrome Horse got its start in 2003 at 307 12th Ave. SE. After a fire caused significant damage to the building, they left Newbo, according to the Cedar Rapids Gazette. They established a new location on Blairs Ferry Road NE and then opened the current location at 1201 3rd Street SE. The Blairs Ferry location closed in June of 2018 according to the Gazette.

Chrome Horse invites all its loyal customers to come back and say goodbye before the restaurant closes on September 28th. Many people have expressed sadness at the news. While we are sad to see Chrome Horse go, 21 years in the restaurant business is nothing to be ashamed of. Thank you to Chrome Horse owner Derek Collins and the entire staff for creating a fun place to eat, drink, and gather with friends in Cedar Rapids.