T-R PHOTO BY NICK BAUR Customers formed long lines with cars stretching down the block late Wednesday morning as patrons looked to celebrate Ay Caramba’s grand opening at their new location on Center St. in Marshalltown.

It was cause for celebration Wednesday morning as local eatery Ay Caramba welcomed customers to their new location at 1803 S. Center St. in Marshalltown for their official grand opening.

Having been in business in the area since 2015, owner Oscar Sanchez said the move for Ay Caramba had been three years in the making as the family-owned restaurant had long eyed the building formerly occupied by Tastee Freez.

When the opportunity came last summer to move from their previous location at 12 N. 1st St., Sanchez said it was a chance they couldn’t pass up.

Now in their new spot and renovated building, the line of cars stretched down the city block, and the parking lot overflowed with patrons looking to grab a fresh meal on Wednesday. Sanchez said the outpouring of customers for the grand opening was more than they ever anticipated.

“It’s been great,” Sanchez said. “It’s been a little something that we really didn’t expect. We were expecting a little rush, but not that much.”

A particular draw for many was the $1 burritos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., which saw bargain hunters and burrito-lovers alike descend on the establishment as talk of the deal spread like wildfire.

“We didn’t really advertise it much,” Sanchez said, adding that they really only publicized the popular event on their Facebook page. “But the word got around pretty fast.”

While many came for the deals and grand opening celebration on Wednesday, Sanchez says it’s the distinctive flavor and ingredients delivered fresh each day that keeps customers coming back for more.

“(It’s) definitely the taste,” Sanchez said. “Everything, pretty much what we do in there, it’s fresh every single day. That’s the other key, when we looked at this, even at the other restaurant, we kept it fresh every single day. It’s a lot more work, (but it’s worth it.)”

Though the grand opening could be considered a smashing success for the small business, Sanchez says they have their sights set on opening additional franchises in the future, and the family-run restaurant is here to certainly stay on Center St.

To find up to date information about Ay Caramba and check out their latest specials and deals, see their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100058710083231. They can also be reached by phone at (641) 328-1186.

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Contact Nick Baur at 641-753-6611 or nbaur@timesrepublican.com.