A New Bar & Restaurant Has Opened in Cedar County

Citizens of Mechanicsville have a place to stop for food and beverages again! The small Iowa town is now home to a new bar & restaurant called Charley Rae’s.

About Charley Rae's

Located at 211 E 1st St, Charley Rae's is the only bar & restaurant located in Mechanicsville. The Cedar County town, which has a population of just over 1,000 people, hasn't had a restaurant since February of 2024, when Rusty Rench Bar & Grill closed its doors in the same spot. Prior to Rusty Rench, the building was home to Bubba’s Sports Bar & Grill for more than 20 years. According to an article from KCCI, Bubba's closed in the spring of 2021 after the owners decided to retire.

The owner of Charley Rae's is Shawnee Starz, who says she has more that 40 years of experience working in bars and restaurants all over the U.S. In fact, she actually bartended in Mechanicsville in recent years! Shawnee said that, out of all the places she's worked, small towns are her her favorite place to be. A post from the business' Facebook page reads:

"We are passionate about establishing a family-friendly spot that will be serving lunch and dinner to all ages, as well as a late-night spot for adults to socialize and enjoy occasional entertainment. With my prior experience bartending at this location and at Hammers in Olin, I have formed lasting bonds with some of the community. I am eager to contribute to creating a welcoming space that will become a hub for shared experiences and memories for others."

As far as the name is concerned, 'Charley Rae's' is very personal to Shawnee. She revealed on Facebook that it's the name of her adorable granddaughter!

In addition to food & beverages, Charley Rae’s also offers pool tables, foosball, video games, table/board games for kids, and a 'Wall of Heroes,' which features photos of local first responders that were sent in by Iowans on social media.

The Food

Charley Rae's hasn't posted their full menu on social media yet, but some of the items they offer include goulash, smashburgers, pulled pork, chicken sandwiches, and wings. The bar & restaurant also offers tacos on Tuesdays and handbreaded tenderloins on Thursdays. And, Shawnee mentioned on Facebook that some of the recipes Charley Rae's will serve are her grandma's originals!

The Hours

Charley Rae’s officially opened its doors earlier this month, and the hours listed on the Facebook page are:

Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Saturday from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There are already a couple of live performances from local musicians on the schedule for Charley Rae's this month. The business notes that there's a $5 suggested donation for all music events, with the proceeds benefitting the Mechanicsville Fire Department.

For the latest information about Charley Rae's in Mechanicsville, check out the Facebook page HERE.

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Gallery Credit: Courtlin