CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Two experienced restaurateurs are planning their latest venture in the former Chappy’s Safari Lounge building in southwest Cedar Rapids.
Jimmy and Ally Ramirez hope to open Buchonas sports bar, 229 16th Ave. SW, sometime in March 2025.
Built in 1966, the spot was the longtime home of Safari Lounge and later Chappy’s Safari, which closed in May 2023 and was popular for its homemade lunch specials and karaoke nights.
Ally Ramirez said the name refers to girls who ride bulls. It can also refer to flamboyant girlfriends.
Owner Jimmy Ramirez pauses Feb. 10, 2025, while working on renovations of the former Safari Lounge in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
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The couple, who own three Taco Depots in Cedar Rapids and one in Iowa City, plan an eclectic menu that will include not only burritos and other Mexican fare, but wraps, burgers and even tenderloins, one of the top menu items from the former Safari Lounge.
“It’s going to be hard to compete with that, but we’re going to try,” Ally said.
She noted they chose the site for its proximity to Czech Village, just two blocks away, and New Bohemia, on the other side of the Cedar River.
The Safari Lounge was known for its “jumbo” tenderloins. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
As was the entire neighborhood, the building was inundated during the record 2008 flood in Cedar Rapids, but later rebounded.
The site of Novak Amusement Co., with Charles Novak advertising vending machines from the 1940s to the mid-1960s, Bill and Mary Brecht opened Safari Lounge at the location by 1967, with Brecht-Norge Village Laundromat in 229 1/2 16th Ave. SW.
A grand opening ad featured 5 cent beer specials and bottled beer for 20 cents.
By the 1980s, the laundromat was removed and the bar was enlarged, including the addition of more pool tables in the expanded space.
Past owner Brian Chapman said he had sold both the business and building after closing Chappy’s Safari in 2023, but the deal fell through, and he eventually sold just the building to the current owner.
The couple noted that their latest business would not be a Mexican restaurant, “but more of an American sports bar.”
More: See final photos from the Maid-Rite in Cedar Rapids
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Hopefully you will stay have the famous roasted chicken on your menu. The whole SW side got used to that when it was Chappy”s and it would again be a huge asset to to all the customers and your business. A sports bar, beer and roasted chicken would again be a very successful combination!
Thank you for your suggestion, Kirk!
are you looking for staff?
Are you hiring?
does anyone have a picture Bill and Mary Brechts bar that was a shack, right across J street from Kuba Funeral Home?
my brother and I sat in dad’s 48 ford waiting forthe parents have they had their Friday after work drinks. they had lots of friends, Mc tunes, zeleny, hlvacek, eichorst and many more. they all grew up together.
when the Brechts built the new place we did not have to sit in the car anymore. we sat in the New laundry eating popcorn and watch Green Latern, in color.
my father died in 1970 at age 45. I was just 15. his funeral was kubas on J st. lots of great memories but a few sad ones also