Support Your Local Eateries!

[Passepartout]

We usially eat in. We have sufficient stores in the pantry and freezers to get along for some time. Tonight, being Friday, we decided to call one of our local Thai places and order take out. We could specify the time we wanted to pick it up (or they would deliver). But I wanted to specifically thank the young people who have lost their dine-in business, and most likely will close in the near future. They didn't ask for this any more than any of us.

SO- I would like to suggest- IF you are able, and IF you want to do your small part to help small businesses in your town survive, as well as to stretch out your own provisions, Order take-out or have meals delivered a couple of times a week. You'll be appreciated.

Thank You!

Jim

 

[Luanne]

Yes!

We did our first curbside last night. Dd and I also did take out a few days ago before the entire restaurant shut down happened. Last night's dinner was from one of our favorite restaurants. They had a great online ordering set up. Dh and I went over to pick up. I ended up going in as I saw another guy go in before me and come out with bags of food. The restaurant was still set up as if they were open, tablecloths, napkins and wine glasses on the tables. The woman who brought the food out had on her usual work "uniform". I asked her how they were doing and she said that although it was a whole new way of operating they were doing well. When dh place the order he was going to add an 18% tip since it wasn't table service. I told him I'd heard he should still tip at least 20% or even more. So he did.

Sunday mornings we always go out to breakfast. We'll do it take out this week.

The other suggestion I've heard is to buy gift certificates from your favorite restaurants.

 

[Panina]

I wish I could. Being I have to eat gluten free options are few. When I don’t eat home I physically eat at the restaurant making sure the manager knows my restrictions. Restaurants I eat at that can handle my restrictions seem to alway screw up a take out order. I can’t risk getting sick and going to the hospital

When they can open back up for eat in, I hope, I will make sure to go more often they I would normally.

@Luanne I like the gift certificate option. That is something I can do now.

 

[Gypsy65]

Unfortunately they’re going to need way more than to go orders
Liquor is a big part of their bottom line
I hope they all can get some sort of halt on expenses and start up fresh in a month or so

I do know of a steak house who has a running order of product
He called his vendor to cancel a $10,000 order of beef and was told no

 

[VacationForever]

So I am paranoid. What if the kitchen staff, hostess, server etc are infected? Wouldn't the takeout bag or the food itself possibly be infected - someone sneezing or talking over it while packing the food? That is holding me back from ordering food to go.

 

[Luanne]

Unfortunately they’re going to need way more than to go orders
Liquor is a big part of their bottom line
I hope they all can get some sort of halt on expenses and start up fresh in a month or so

I do know of a steak house who has a running order of product
He called his vendor to cancel a $10,000 order of beef and was told no

Most of these restaurants have cut way back on staff, that's one reduction in expenses.

 

[rboesl]

I have a small business that sells poker to bars as a promotion. Here in NY they've allowed the bars to sell take out meals and drinks. The caveat is the drinks must be factory sealed or sealed by bar staff. Of the 12 bars I have only 2 have remained open for takeout. Both have put together specials that includes two meals and a 6-pack or 4 drinks. They are also allowing these locations to fill growlers as well.

 

[Passepartout]

My local brew-pub will fill growlers and has package sales of some of their offerings. One winery is making hand sanitizer (Alcohol & aloe) and giving it away free with purchase of some wine. Near our second home, the neighborhood craft brewer has set up package beer sales in the parking lot and will can their entire line in 32 oz. 'crowlers' while you wait. Food trucks rotate through there on a schedule posted on their website.

Support local business!

 

[Luanne]

So I am paranoid. What if the kitchen staff, hostess, server etc are infected? Wouldn't the takeout bag or the food itself possibly be infected - someone sneezing or talking over it while packing the food? That is holding me back from ordering food to go.

So buy gift certificates.

 

[bluehende]

So buy gift certificates.

That is what I have done with our local brewpubs and breweries. I know most of the owners and have bought at those that will have trouble surviving. At the least I will give the GC to the owner at the next brew club meeting they attend and insist they pour me a pint. It is funny how they have little time for brew club after opening. One I feel particularly bad for opened last week the day before being ordered to close. Talk about luck.

 

[slip]

Going to get Garlic Shrimp takeout right now.

 

[Talent312]

Our Gov ordered restaurant dining rooms closed, ruining our dinner plans.

But more importantly, my SS manages a small breakfast/lunch place.
It had to close and all its employees (including him) now have no income.
They typically live paycheck to paycheck with rent, mortgages, loans, etc.
He says he'll be okay for a while, but we offered to help him if needed.

I'm sure that same story is being repeated thousands of times all over.
.

 

[clifffaith]

Our Gov ordered restaurant dining rooms closed, ruining our dinner plans.

But more importantly, my SS manages a small breakfast/lunch place.
It had to close and all its employees (including him) now have no income.
They typically live paycheck to paycheck with rent, mortgages, loans, etc.
He says he'll be okay for a while, but we offered to help him if needed.

I'm sure that same story is being repeated thousands of times all over.
.

I've been thinking that it will be the breakfast places that will drop like flies -- not as conducive to takeout and/or people don't think of bringing pancakes or omlettes home.

 

[mdurette]

Unfortunately they’re going to need way more than to go orders
Liquor is a big part of their bottom line
I hope they all can get some sort of halt on expenses and start up fresh in a month or so

Rhode Island announced yesterday I will let restaurants sell beer and wine with their take out orders. I suppose a good option for restaurants to make a bit more, but the reality is if you are going out to pick up take out, then it is probably much more cost effective to make a second stop for your bottle of wine.

 

[mdurette]

So I am paranoid. What if the kitchen staff, hostess, server etc are infected? Wouldn't the takeout bag or the food itself possibly be infected - someone sneezing or talking over it while packing the food? That is holding me back from ordering food to go.

I am with you. We are no longer eating anything unless it comes from our house. As for the gift certificate idea. Well, all these small places may not be around after all of this to use them at.

 

[plpgma]

The advice I am giving out is to deliberately and intentionally choose one (maybe two) local eating establishments and then fully support them with either carryout or gift certificate business during this corona virus season. Reason (no brainer): These shops are part of our local economy and also part of the larger supply chain -- the goal is for mostly everything to return to normal after this is over, so I just believe that it is part of our responsibility to do so. Nothing out of the ordinary, of course -- just regular and consistent business similar to what you would have done anyway -- but all focused on one (no more than two) local eateries.

 

[Luanne]

I am with you. We are no longer eating anything unless it comes from our house. As for the gift certificate idea. Well, all these small places may not be around after all of this to use them at.

Then maybe you can find some other way to support some of your local businesses during this time. Donate to food banks, things like that.

 

[Luanne]

I've been thinking that it will be the breakfast places that will drop like flies -- not as conducive to takeout and/or people don't think of bringing pancakes or omlettes home.

One of our favorite restaurants is a breakfast/lunch place. Dh went in a couple of days ago and bought a bunch of bagels from them. We are planning to do take-out breakfast tomorrow. I think I'll get a breakfast burrito which I think will travel better than bacon and eggs.

 

[SandyPGravel]

Have done this twice this week. We normally eat out once per week. (St Patrick's day dinner was the extra & they ran out of CB & C, so I'm gonna have to make my own)

Both places are doing a booming business, considering the current climate, for which we are all grateful. Both places were at capacity for takeout & delivery.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Talent312]

We did take out from Carrabbas today at 12:30pm.
Ours was the third order so far that day.
Humorously, they agreed to let us set up a table in their parking lot
-- if we supplied that table + chairs.
.
.

 

[Passepartout]

I've been thinking that it will be the breakfast places that will drop like flies -- not as conducive to takeout and/or people don't think of bringing pancakes or omlettes home.

Wish I could import the photo from facebook, (so just imagine a layout of food in packaging) but one local breakfast restaurant has a box take-out deal with a tray of 18 eggs, 2 lbs of bacon, a gallon of milk or OJ, 8 lbs of hash browns, and biscuits for $30. Add $5 for premium OJ AND the milk. You do the cooking at home without shopping.

Jim

 

[clifffaith]

@Passepartout I thought this was such a good idea when I saw it yesterday.

 

[presley]

I went to my favorite taco shop yesterday. I normally eat take out from there once or twice per week. The cooks in the back looked super happy to see me. I don't know if it's because they recognized me or if it's because they had customers. People in line (yes, excited to say there was a line!) were very respectful with social distancing. I bought a couple extra burritos, so I won't be heading back there soon, but I sure hope their business keeps up. It was really nice to see a small line and lots of respect in the line.

 

[Gypsy65]

I hope these things work in the end of i all but it’s probably more like putting a band aid on a wound that needs amputation

I know if my business had a regular customer base of X and the numbers fell down to what they are now it would only be a matter of time before I was done or those coming could not or would not have the money to spend

I know we would be out either by force or decision if business dropped like the bar restaurant business has

 

[silentg]

We have frequented small restaurants in town and use pick up take out. We will continue to do this as the food is good and we care for our neighbors. We always try to go local spots even before the virus scare. On vacation we look for local spots rather than tourists places, although we do eat there too. Everyone is hurting during this Virus .
Stay safe and healthy. Hope we will be able to travel again soon and enjoy each other’s company.
Silentg