About Us
Phases of Lunas
Luna’s Tacos was born out of love, necessity, and family. When our family’s needs changed, everything shifted. We began to imagine something we could build ourselves—something flexible, meaningful, and shared.
Starting Luna’s Tacos
Luna’s Tacos was born out of love, necessity, and family.
When our family’s needs changed with our youngest son’s autism diagnosis, everything shifted. We reshaped our daily lives to support Itzael, prioritizing therapy, appointments, and the care he deserves. In looking for a way to care for our family, we began to imagine something we could build ourselves—something flexible, meaningful, and shared.
Starting ICFM 2019
With encouragement and guidance from market staff, family, and friends, Luna’s Tacos debuted at the Iowa City Farmers Market in June 2019.
Our first market was a Wednesday afternoon. We opened at 4:30 pm and waited through two quiet hours. Then, just before closing, a curious customer stopped to ask what we were making. She bought one taco—then came back for another with a friend. A line formed, word spread, and we sold out on our very first day.
Food Cart
When the farmers market was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, we had to pivot again.
A fellow vendor encouraged us to apply for a downtown Iowa City Ped Mall food cart permit—one of only four spots, available just once every three years.
Before we even had the permit, we started collecting parts for a food cart, betting on a future that wasn’t guaranteed. Building the cart became a journey of its own. One afternoon, Isabel walked into Mr. Charlie’s shop to pitch a project far outside their usual work. With Mr. Charlie’s help, we designed, built, revised, and reworked the cart until it was fully operational and ready for the Ped Mall application.
When we opened on the Ped Mall, the lines came quickly. The cart became a favorite among students and locals alike. Students become regulars, bringing friends, stopping by after graduating, and sending their parents by when they are in town.
Luna’s Tacos was never just about selling food. Luna’s Tacos is about knowing our customers—watching students grow through college, warming up folks on a cold day, and showing care where we can.
Family Kitchen
Luna’s has always gone where people are: the farmers market, festivals, the Ped Mall.
When an administrative oversight nearly cost us our Ped Mall permit, the fear was real. Luna’s Tacos is our livelihood and losing the permit felt like risking everything.
With help from an Iowa City local and friend, Tommy Connolly—who offered guidance and connected us to a space—our next chapter of Luna’s Tacos began to take shape.
