Burrito Torpedo open for business

It may be cold outside but the flavors are hot at the newly opened Burrito Torpedo in Newton.

Located at 103 W. Second St. N., in the former downtown Moo’s BBQ location, the new eatery is serving up Mexican-style favorites in torpedo-fast time.

The door to the fast food restaurant opened Monday morning to a line of hungry, eager diners ready to try the new dishes. Owner Ray Alehy said business was good the first day, and he’s received good feedback from customers.

“I had a line at the door before 10 o’clock and we had a bunch of customers, the lobby has been full almost the whole time we have been open,” Alehy said. “When we get a chance we have come out to talk to the customers and it seems like everybody is liking the food, too.”

Alehy, who is in Newton frequently because of other business ventures, saw the empty store front when Moo’s BBQ moved out and knew it was prime real estate for a new restaurant.

“I came across the property and I liked it and I liked the location, right by the courthouse. Everything in Newton happens by the courthouse, all of the parades, etc. So I just decided to start a new concept,” Alehy said. “I wanted to put in a franchise similar to Pancheros and Chipotle because I think this area needs something like that. In this building, though, are two businesses, so with a national brand you can’t have two businesses in the same location. So I created my own menu, own recipes.”

The menu consists of several Mexican favorites including burritos, tacos and nachos along with salads and kids meals. Customers are able to build their own burritos from a choice of pork, chicken, a Mexican-style meat and, coming soon, steak along with a variety of vegetables and other toppings.

To run the business, Alehy created 15 new jobs in the community. Along with 12 employees, two shift managers and a general manager will oversee the business. No stranger to the food business, Alehy has worked for 21 years in the industry and has been in Iowa for 17.

Burrito Torpedo is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Kids meals are free on Saturdays with the purchase of an adult meal and included a hard or soft shell taco, chips, pudding and juice.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com