It’s Official: Rusty Taco is Returning to Dubuque Spring 2024

This article originally published Feb 26, 2023

As I speculated just a couple weeks ago, a Dubuque restaurant that served Mexican cuisine in a contemporary setting is making a comeback later in 2024.

Rusty Taco in Dubuque, located on Asbury Road, adjacent to Natural Grocers, closed in January 2023. The building was listed for sale shortly after the closing was announced. However, Rusty Taco's parting message (see below) ended with the sentence, "Please check our page for an update." Now, more details have emerged...

It Started With a Valentine's Day Tease:

On Valentine's Day, the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page posted this message:

Hey Dubuque – just checking in, still big fans of taco, queso and margs right?

Keep an eye on this page... - per the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page

The operators of the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page were steadfast in responding to many comments and questions on that respective post while simultaneously careful about not giving anything away. Now, they've made the announcement: Rusty Taco will be reopening in Dubuque.

The New Owners Want to Hear from YOU:

A graphic posted on the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page makes things simple: "New owner, same great tacos, Queso, and margs:" 

We are committed to delivering on everything you loved about Rusty Taco. To ensure we meet that goal, we ask for you to take a short survey about what you loved, and what you didn’t like about Rusty Taco in the past. - per the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page

Also included in the post is a link to a Survey Monkey survey, which the owners encourage people to fill out to speak about what they liked about Rusty Taco in the past and what they would like to see changed.

The New Owners are Putting Rusty Taco Customers First:

Earlier this month, the new owners spent time responding to people's inquiries about the thought of Rusty Taco returning to Dubuque.

In a reply to one comment, the Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook page revealed that the new venture will feature "a new team top to bottom, from owners to managers to everyone in the kitchen, bar or at the cash register." 

Another one of their responses was directed to a user who suggested the tacos the new restaurant would ostensibly serve should be bigger. Rusty Taco (Dubuque)'s response was, "Our goal is to win on freshness and quality. And we have some news to share on some new promotions as well."

Rusty Taco has long prided themselves on fresh ingredients made by hand, daily, as inspired by its founder:

Rusty’s commitment to making everything fresh and by hand inspires us daily, but his “little taco stand” is more than just a place to eat and drink. He always wanted it to be a place where everyone would feel welcome. That’s why we make it all with love – from our warm chips to our ice-cold margaritas – so no matter who you are, if you’re hungry, you’re in the right place. - per Rusty Taco's website

For updates on the restaurant's opening, as well as future job opportunities, stay posted on Rusty Taco (Dubuque) Facebook's page.