Cedar Rapids Trip - Cedar Rapids, IA

The Cedar No Rapids trip is finally a wrap . . . and the best thing I ate . . . 

Way back in late May, we roadtripped down to Cedar Rapids.  Took our daughter to see "Wild Kratts Live 2.0" while she was still in that window of fandom, to see some family, try out a bunch of restaurants, and simply just to roadtrip  :)

Here's links to the posts, and below is more on the trip, including the best thing that I had on the trip:

Awe'z Sandwich Shop - Mason City, IA  

LP Street Food - Cedar Rapids, IA  

Marion Public Library - Marion, IA  

Little Bohemia - Cedar Rapids, IA  

Need Pizzeria & Craft Beer Bar - Cedar Rapids, IA  

The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery - Cedar Rapids, IA  

Livonia's Coffee Bar - Clear Lake, IA  

Alrighty, on to a bit more on the trip . . . 

I have to mention the best thing I ate on the trip:  The Burek at Balkan Cafe in Waterloo, IA.   A giant savory meat filled pastry.  First bite was a mind explosion.  Both of us were shocked . . . Our brains raced to connect what we expected with what we tasted.  Perfect seasoning balance, the meat jus-sy, lingering aftertaste that I don’t want to go away.  Perfect pastry for the Burek.  Crisp and flaky on the outside, melty inside, and plenty of chew.  It was truly exceptional 

Their status as far as being open has fluxuated.  In fact, when we arrived, the kid inside said the only thing they had left available on the menu was the Burek, because that day was their last day.  They sold the business, and new ownership was going to eventually reopen.  The new ownership put the brakes on the place this October, and just reopened a few days ago, so there's still hope.  We'd stopped at the Balkan Cafe because I'd read that Waterloo somehow has a sizeable Bosnian population, and other Bosnian joints are around, so next time around we'll plan extra time specifically to hit them

As for the Wild Kratts.  he show is obviously for young kids, but even at that it was pretty "low rent".  Footage of the TV show projected on not very large screens made up a sizeable portion of the show, and the Kratt brothers were the only two actors.  All the other characters were clips from the TV show.  Jeez.  At least the target audience was rauchous and pleased as punch, and that's all that matters  

While we were disappointed not to actually find rapids in Cedar Rapids, we found plenty enough to garner a trip back for an extended stay

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