We’re off to a new restaurant for Listener Lunch in October, and just like our last two months of lunch, it’s a place that just opened its doors within the last year! Every Tuesday in October, we’ll be enjoying a meal with listeners at…
Mercury in Cedar Rapids!
About Mercury
Mercury first opened its doors in the former Chrome Horse Saloon at 1201 3rd St SE back in late 2025. The space was originally split into two different restaurants: Mercury Diner & Drinks and Rhapsody Spirits & Provisions, with Rhapsody officially opening its doors this past summer. Now, the entire interior of the restaurant is referred to as ‘Mercury,’ and the large outdoor area is called the ‘Rhapsody Patio.’
The menu at Mercury features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The breakfast menu features classics like biscuits & gravy, pancakes, sandwiches, and omelettes, but there are some more unique items, too! For example, there’s the crème brûlée French toast, rueben eggs benedict, and the ‘Hot Mama’ shipwreck.
For lunch and dinner, diners can choose from items like the Smashburger, Pork Belly BLT, Smoked Wings, Corn & Tasso Ham Mac & Cheese, Fried Bone-In Duroc Pork Chop, and Parmesan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin. There are also plenty of drink options, and some desserts, as well.
I’ve eaten at Mercury a couple of times now, and my favorite thing I tried was the Bacon Pickle Grilled Cheese! Just LOOK at all that cheese!
In addition to being a restaurant, Mercury also serves as an event venue, and can be rented out for private parties, rehearsal dinners, baby or bridal showers, and more. There’s also a little gift shop, and the outdoor patio hosts live music, weekly daytime karaoke, and other fun events…