Colombian Street Food Venue Opens in Iowa City

Que Chimba brings Colombian flavors to the Ped Mall

Apr. 1, 2026 at 1:06am

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A new family-owned Colombian street food restaurant called Que Chimba has opened in Iowa City's Ped Mall, offering a menu of traditional dishes like empanadas, arepas, patacón, and tequenos. The small, open-layout restaurant is aiming to provide a quick and fresh taste of Colombian cuisine to students, residents, and late-night customers.

Why it matters

The opening of Que Chimba represents a growing diversity in Iowa City's food scene, catering to the local Colombian community and introducing Colombian flavors to a wider audience. The restaurant's location near the University of Iowa campus also makes it an accessible option for students seeking new culinary experiences.

The details

Que Chimba is a family-owned establishment with eight staff members. The restaurant officially opened on March 23 and is located near the north entrance of the Old Capitol Mall, sandwiched between a cookie shop. The space features an open layout, allowing customers to easily interact with staff. Que Chimba operates Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays stays open until 2:30 a.m. to serve late-night customers through a kitchen window. The menu offers a variety of Colombian street food staples, including empanadas, arepas, patacón, and tequenos, with options for meat, chicken, or vegetarian fillings. The restaurant also serves Colombian fruit juices and sodas.

  • Que Chimba officially opened on March 23, 2026.
  • The restaurant operates Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays stays open until 2:30 a.m.

The players

Que Chimba

A family-owned Colombian street food restaurant that recently opened in Iowa City's Ped Mall.

Alejandra Garavito

A staff member and family member who was instrumental in finding the restaurant's location.

Aliese Gingerich

An Iowa City resident who visited Que Chimba during her break and was impressed by the concise menu and desire to support the local immigrant community.

Federico Rosero

A University of Iowa graduate student who is Colombian and tried Que Chimba for the first time, noting Venezuelan influences in some of the food.

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What they’re saying

“We were looking for a place like this for a long, long time, and then we found it, and that's just perfect for us because it's small, and that's exactly how we wanted to do it.”

— Alejandra Garavito, Staff member and family member

“I like that there's some variety, but also it's not a million options. I get overwhelmed when you go to a restaurant, and there's a three-fold thing.”

— Aliese Gingerich, Iowa City resident

“I'm Colombian, so of course, I have a tied relationship to Colombian food. So, I wanted to explore this option.”

— Federico Rosero, University of Iowa graduate student

What’s next

Que Chimba's owners are planning to expand their menu in the coming months, potentially adding Colombian hot dogs and new arepa flavors to offer customers an even wider range of traditional Colombian street food options.

The takeaway

The opening of Que Chimba in Iowa City's Ped Mall represents a growing diversity in the local food scene, catering to the Colombian community and introducing new culinary experiences for students and residents. The family-owned restaurant's focus on authentic, high-quality Colombian street food in a welcoming, open-layout space has already attracted a loyal following in its first weeks of operation.