Elijah Wood’s Family Deli In Cedar Rapids Is Gone For Good

We've taken a look inside various celebrity homes in the state, but have you had a chance to check out everyone's favorite Hobbit's family deli before? Unfortunately, they didn't serve one onion ring to rule them all!

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Elijah Wood, the star of the Lord of the Rings franchise has roots in Cedar Rapids. Born in January of 1981, Elijah's parents are Warren and Debra Wood (Krause). Before he skyrocketed to superstardom with the fantasy franchise, he was just a boy who would sometimes work in his parent's deli.

Alfalfa's Deli, according to a report from one of our sister stations, was owned by Wood's parents. It was located in the Lindale Mall on the lower level. They served all of the usual trappings that you'd expect from a deli. Many locals fondly remember their delicious sandwiches.

While there isn't much left of Alfalfa's Deli, we still can get a good idea as to what they served in this 1986 commercial that features the restaurant. The actor would probably have been five when it was filmed.

Elijah Wood is not the only major celebrity who hails from in or around Cedar Rapids. It's common knowledge that several other A-list stars called the Hawkeye State home; like Johnny Carson and Ashton Kutcher.

Kutcher is known for giving back to his hometown and always remembering where he came from. In the past few years, he even let us see inside his childhood home in Homestead when he did an interior makeover.

In an interview with Bon Appetit, the actor was asked if he cooked any of the dishes his parents made at the deli. Wood admits,

"My mom does an amazing meatloaf, but instead of a loaf she makes little individual mounds and then wraps them in bacon and brushes them with a mixture that's like a cross between ketchup and barbecue sauce."

Locals say the restaurant closed in the past few decades, but there is no specific reason for the closure that the public is aware of.

His favorite delicacy from their restaurant days in Cedar Rapids is, "these vegetable sandwiches topped with a spread that I still make to this day. It's sour cream, dill, and Beau Monde seasoning."

Sounds delicious, Elijah! Alfalfa's Deli wasn't the only hot spot that was run by the Woods. According to an earlier report, Souper's on 10th Street in Cedar Rapids was also owned by the actor's family. This spot is also closed.