A former farmers market vendor took the leap to a brick-and-mortar location Jan. 19 with the opening of Luna’s Tacos, located at 127 E. Washington St. in downtown Iowa City.
The restaurant, owned and operated by Isabel Luna, has been part of the Iowa City community since 2019, when Ms. Luna began selling authentic Mexican cuisine at the Iowa City Farmers Market. The operation expanded from a Wednesday market stand to include Saturday markets, summer festival appearances and a mobile food cart on the Pedestrian Mall.
The brick-and-mortar location features an expanded menu showcasing Ms. Luna’s family recipes, including Albondigas (savory chicken meatballs in chipotle sauce), A La Mexicana (chicken or steak with tomatoes, onions and green chilies), Pork Salsa Verde (slow-cooked pork in tangy tomatillo sauce), Chiles Rellenos (roasted poblano peppers stuffed with cheese or tofu and fried golden) and Birria (marinated beef slow-cooked in rich broth with chilies and spices).
“The community has been looking for us, and we’re thrilled to finally have a permanent home downtown,” Ms. Luna said, in a release. “Opening this restaurant allows us to serve our community year-round, provide stable employment opportunities for our dedicated team and share our family’s favorite dishes with Iowa City. We’re excited to finally have a space where people can gather and experience authentic Mexican cuisine.”
According to the release, Ms. Luna’s decision to establish a permanent location was driven by consistent community demand and the desire to provide year-round employment for her staff, whose employment was limited to farmers market and festival seasons. Also working with Ms. Luna is her husband Salatiel and their children, Zayety Westpeling, and Siomara and Itzael.
“Isabel’s journey from farmers market vendor to downtown restaurant owner exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that makes our Downtown District thrive,” said Christopher Hunter, director of marketing at the Iowa City Downtown District. “Luna’s Tacos has built a loyal following through exceptional food and genuine community connection. We’re excited to support this next chapter and welcome the year-round vitality this business brings to Washington Street and Downtown.”
Luna’s Tacos participated in the Iowa City Downtown District’s CoSign+ Grant Program, which provides matching funds for signage and storefront enhancements to downtown businesses.
The program, which evolved from the National Sign Museum’s CoSign initiative, offers approved applicants up to a 50% match for projecting signs (up to $3,500) and storefront enhancements (up to $2,500).
To date, the Iowa City Downtown District has facilitated more than 30 pedestrian-oriented projecting blade signs and approximately 15 storefront enhancements throughout the downtown area.
Luna’s Tacos is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. In addition to dine-in service, Luna’s Tacos offers catering for weddings, graduation parties, quinceañeras and private events.
