One of Iowa City’s newest restaurants is so great, they put it in the name. Que Chimba Colombian Street Food opened in the Old Capitol Town Center in March. Que Chimba is a colloquialism that translates to “That’s great” or “That’s awesome,” and the restaurant lives up to its name in more ways than one.
Que Chimba has two storefronts: a walk-up window on Clinton Street and a counter inside the mall. On the day I stopped in, the restaurant was staffed by owner Alejandra Garavito and her father Orlando. The restaurant is a family affair, with Alejandra and her husband, her parents, her siblings and their spouses all working together to run it.
Alejandra has lived in Iowa City for six years. She followed her parents, who made the move from Colombia to Iowa a decade ago. Running Que Chimba, Alejandra and Orlando exude the warmth and closeness of family in their small asides. Both were eager to tell me that the colorful mural on the restaurant’s wall was painted by Alejandra’s cousin, a lawyer turned painter.
The space is as warm as its owners. In addition to the mural, the walls are papered with greenery, and a mounted TV plays Spanish-language music videos. You place your order via a tablet at the entrance. You can see into the open kitchen from the counter where you pick up your food, and if time allows, chat with the person making your order. While Alejandra cooked, we talked about reggaeton artists we both love. She told me she watched her favorite movies in English to learn the language, and how the family makes sure to regularly visit relatives still living in Colombia.
Que Chimba’s menu offers variety without being overwhelming, with options for both vegetarians and carnivores. This was my first time trying Colombian food, so I opted for a few different items. A carnivore myself, I ordered a beef arepa, chicken empanadas and beef patacón.
The arepa was an open-ended pocket made of corn and stuffed with shredded beef, cheese and sauce, not unlike a gordita or a pupusa in structure. The beef was moist and tender and the aji verde and salsa rosado on top lent a creamy saltiness. The empanadas were a crispy dumpling filled with flavorful shredded chicken and served with more aji for dipping. The patacon featured a fried plantain disc topped with shredded cheese and aji and salsa rosado.
The combination of crispiness and creaminess was present in every dish, and the resulting silky texture when you take a bite is as important to the food as the bright flavors. The servings are akin to small plates, allowing you to try a few things and still end up with leftovers. And importantly, the food is just as good the next day as it is fresh.
Que Chimba is a microcosm of Iowa City and the U.S. at their best. Delicious food and friendly service, yes. But also the realization of a family’s dreams, a product of their hard work and an example of the beauty that results when newcomers share what they love about their homelands with their community. It truly is great.
Que Chimba Colombian Street Food
Old Capitol Town Center, 201 S Clinton St #101, Iowa City
Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Closed Sunday
This article was originally published in Little Village’s August 2026 issue.
