C.R. couple bringing "Hot Harry's" concept to Iowa
By David DeWitte - Nov. 21, 2007 - A Cedar Rapids couple plan to introduce a recently franchised Mexican restaurant concept to the state next month when they open Hot Harry's Fresh Burritos at 4862 First Ave. NE.
Ken and Angela Halm of Cedar Rapids expect to open the restaurant Dec. 3 in a space formerly occupied by another fresh Mexican restaurant, Panchero's Mexican Grill.
Hot Harry's features a broad assortment of tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, rice bowls, quesadillas and soups inspired by different cuisines. They include a Thai chicken burrito, a Cajun catfish burrito, a BBQ burrito, and a Buffalo-wing inspired Buffalo Burrito.
Trademarks of the restaurant are its menu of 11 breakfast burritos and its practice of making four fresh salsas daily.
The restaurant is one of the latest in a growing category of Mexican restaurants that prepare burritos and other dishes to customer specifications from fresh ingredients in a serving line.
Ken and Angela Halm of Cedar Rapids, who met while working at an Arby's restaurant, researched the restaurant category before picking the Hot Harry's concept based in the Pittsfield, Mass., area. The Lindale Crossing location will be the fifth Hot Harry's location nationwide.
Ken said the couple picked up the Hot Harry's concept developed by Samir Abdallah because they liked the food quality and saw strong opportunities for growth.
After the store in Cedar Rapids is operating successfully, the Halms plan to consider locating other stores on the west side of Cedar Rapids, and in Angela's hometown of Dubuque.
The Halms have first refusal rights to develop Hot Harry's locations throughout Iowa. They also plan to use the Lindale Crossing store as a training location as they recruit other Hot Harry's restaurant franchise operators.
Hot Harry's will be open from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. seven days a week.
The Panchero's Mexican Grill that formerly operated in Lindale Crossing moved across First Avenue to the Marketplace on 1st earlier this year.
Contact the writer: (319) 398-8317 or david.dewitte@gazettecommunications.com
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