Openings, closings and wanderings: 2019 restaurant news in review

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People-watch and order the spicy beef noodle at Saigon’s Corner on Clinton Street. — Corbin Booth/Little Village

It was a turbulent year for many restaurants in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Two that opened in January — BeerBurger in downtown Iowa City and Linn Street Dive — closed before the end of summer. But BeerBurger still has its North Liberty location, and in December, Linn Street Dive became Marco’s Grilled Cheese.

Melk Diner & Cereal Bar, which opened in December 2018, wasn’t as lucky. When it went dark in June, the sign on the door said, “Melk is closed forever.”

The 77-year-old Boston Fish in Cedar Rapids announced in April it was closing, then announced in May it would remain open, but close temporarily for remodeling. But “temporarily” will last into the next year, and the old restaurant will be replaced by a new one, Bostons, while the family that had run Boston Fish for the last 26 will open a food truck, The Fish.

The temporary closing of Daylight Donuts on Iowa City’s east side really was only temporary. The donut shop closed when it lost its lease in May, but found a new home in November, moving into Sun Cafe’s location. Sun Cafe moved across town to the space that housed Zio Johno’s, when the Italian restaurant moved into a section of what used to be Paul’s Discount.

As the year drew to a close, Village Meat Market and Cafe in Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village announced it was closing. But just days later, plans were unveiled for a new meat market in the same location that will open in the spring.

But along with the closings, openings, rebrandings and relocations, two Iowa City fixtures got to celebrate their longevity. the Club Car marked its 15th anniversary and George’s Buffet turned 80.