Meddys Will Open First Iowa Site in West Des Moines
Mediterranean fast-casual dining will fill a former restaurant space at Jordan Creek Town Center in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Do you believe the arrival of new restaurant chains improves the dining options in your area?
Meddys, a Lebanese-inspired Mediterranean restaurant brand, will debut its first Iowa location at Jordan Creek Town Center in 2027. The chain will operate in the former space of the On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina.
Why it matters
The arrival of this Mediterranean concept adds to a wave of national dining expansions at the Jordan Creek retail hub. Operators should monitor shifting tenant profiles in regional shopping centers as legacy restaurant spaces are backfilled with newer, fast-casual brands.
This move marks the brand's entry into the Iowa market after its founding in 2014, establishing its first footprint at Jordan Creek Town Center. The site replaces a prior tenant that vacated the property in February 2025.
The players
Meddys
A fast-casual restaurant chain founded in 2014 that specializes in Lebanese-inspired Mediterranean cuisine.
Alex Harb
The founder of the Meddys Mediterranean restaurant brand.
Jordan Creek Town Center
A major retail and dining destination in West Des Moines that serves as a hub for regional shopping and hospitality.
The details
The restaurant will occupy the former On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina site, utilizing a counter-service model where customers order at the register and staff deliver food to tables. Meddys prepares its menu items using traditional Lebanese recipes. This transition illustrates how major retail centers are repurposing large-format footprints to accommodate varied fast-casual dining concepts.
Timeline
Meddys was founded in 2014.
The former tenant, On The Border, closed in February 2025.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is scheduled to open on October 22, 2026.
Meddys is expected to open in 2027.
Yard House is scheduled to open in April 2027.
Market Landscape
The arrival of Meddys follows the February 2025 closure of the former tenant at Jordan Creek Town Center. This pattern of backfilling legacy restaurant spaces with newer fast-casual concepts reflects a broader evolution in regional shopping center tenant strategies.
Operators in the hospitality sector should watch how the introduction of Meddys impacts competition within the Jordan Creek area. Owners of retail space should review their own tenant turnover data to benchmark against the rapid backfilling seen at this retail center.
The takeaway
The expansion signals active demand for fast-casual Mediterranean options in suburban retail corridors. Managers should track the entry of new regional players to adjust their competitive positioning and service models accordingly.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional retail space utilization, see the Openings & Closings section.
More information
For more information on the menu and brand history, visit the official company website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Des Moines Register.
Live Poll
Do you believe the arrival of new restaurant chains improves the dining options in your area?
