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SALT LAKE CITY -- For almost 25 years, Salt Lake's Red Iguana restaurant has been a very popular spot for lovers of Mexican food. Every day you'll find a full parking lot and a line of customers out the door.
In fact, business is so good that this family-owned restaurant has decided to expand. The Red Iguana 2 restaurant is located at 866 W. South Temple, less than two blocks from the original Red Iguana at 736 W. North Temple.
Owner Lucy Cardenas says she wanted it that way because she grew up in the area.
"I feel very passionate about staying in our neighborhood. I grew up in Rose Park, and I went to West High School," Cardenas says. "This neighborhood has been very good to us. The Red Iguana has been on North Temple for almost 25 years. I can't imagine going anyplace else."
People from all over the world have eaten at the original restaurant. Lunch time is always packed -- so much so that some longtime customers have started staying away.
"We don't fit them in any more," Cardenas says. "People are waiting in line, so we wanted to open something nearby so if people don't want to wait in line, they can come here."
Besides location and size, the Red Iguanas are essentially the same.
"Same food, same menu, same people; just more of it," Cardenas says. "The Red Iguana is very near and dear to a lot of people's hearts, you know? It's an institution."
Once a new outdoor patio is finished in the spring, Red Iguana 2 will be able to seat about 150 customers, which is 50 more than the old store.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
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