BREAKING NEWS: Mama Lacona’s will come back in Urbandale, in a new locale

(Blog post by Joanne Boeckman • jboeckman@dmreg.com • April 1, 2010)

 
Mama Lacona’s restaurant will soon reopen in a new location at 121st Street and Douglas Avenue in Urbandale. It will be in the former location of Maverick Grill, and to hear new manager Joe Wilson tell it, it will be a new and improved Mama Lacona’s.

 Mama Lacona’s, founded in 1957 by Charlie Lacona, was most recently at 2743 N.W. 86th St. in Urbandale, was forced to close when its grease trap was found to be inadequate. Owners Jim and Katie Lacona couldn’t fnd financing for replacement of the grease trap interceptor and opted to close the restaurant, but after customers begged them to reconsider, they did.

Wilson has 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including the past eight at Biaggi’s in West Des Moines and another 12 at the old Mama Lacona’s.

Wilson said all the old familiar recipes the Lacona restaurant was known for will be there, but he’s adding fresh fish to the menu and introducing some menu items from the East, such as Philadelphia cheesesteak sandwiches, and keeping a few menu items from Maverick Grill. He’s also hired a culinary-trained chef and is adding a wood-burning grill.

There will still be pizza, including an option of a gluten-free crust. Diners will still be able to get all-you-can-eat spaghetti, prime rib and dinner rolls made with Charlie Lacona’s recipe.

The facility is beautiful, with a prominent bar, and Wilson said it will be utilized. Offerings include nine tap beers. He was enthusiastic about the addition of Matilda, a craft beer from Goose Island Beer Co.

There will no longer be a lunch buffet, but there will be a Sunday morning buffet.


The opening is tentatively set for May 1.