Drive up eats may end....

[samintx]

The Coronavirus Delivery Pivot Is Already Coming to an End
As dining rooms around the country shuttered in response to the pandemic, restaurants turned to delivery and takeout — but now, some chefs are saying it’s not worth it

[cbelt3]

The restaurant industry is experiencing a significant collapse at this moment. Considering the tight margins, operating without 1/4 of a year's income will be fatal for many of them.

I remember how few restaurants existed in the 1960's and 1970's. My family 'ate out' exactly one day a year... on my mother's birthday. We would go to the same Italian restaurant every time. The rest of the time Mom fed us, and eventually all of her children helped cook... in self defense. It was that or hang out at a friend's house for dinner.

[hal]

A week or so into isolation my favorite restaurant just popped into my head. Went to the website and saw that they were doing take out orders. I ordered one of their amazing burgers for dinner and my favorite salad for lunch the next day. They were APPRECIATIVE and doing a pretty brick biz all things considered. And it felt good to help.

But it didn't feel right. Customers were properly keeping distance, but would occasionally slide a little too close, but the staff looked like biz as usual and biz as usual in a busy cafe means spending A LOT of time being within 1' of on another.

I just didn't feel safe and I haven't been back and no other restaurant tempts me enough for me to even consider it.

[jdc]

hal wrote:
A week or so into isolation my favorite restaurant just popped into my head. Went to the website and saw that they were doing take out orders. I ordered one of their amazing burgers for dinner and my favorite salad for lunch the next day. They were APPRECIATIVE and doing a pretty brick biz all things considered. And it felt good to help.

where?

[C(-)ris]

I've gone from eating out at least once a day, sometimes twice a day to eating out once a week tops.

[Paul F.]

I've been trying to pick businesses that I most want to survive to shop at, and get delivery from. I want the little Lao market to survive, so I've gotten what I can from them in the way of groceries (unfortunately, they don't carry much produce).

I got a couple growlers refilled from a local hard cider maker on Wednesday.
I got a pizza from a local non-chain place last weekend. And tonight I'm going to get some Mexican take-out from another local business.

I can't do MUCH to help them, since I can't afford to patronize them as often as I'd like even in GOOD times, but I can at least be careful with what I DO spend on take-out, and try to make my dollars count.

[DinerDave]

Paul F. wrote:

I got a couple growlers refilled from a local hard cider maker on Wednesday.
I got a pizza from a local non-chain place last weekend. And tonight I'm going to get some Mexican take-out from another local business.

I can't do MUCH to help them, since I can't afford to patronize them as often as I'd like even in GOOD times, but I can at least be careful with what I DO spend on take-out, and try to make my dollars count.

I'm surprised you were allowed to refill the growlers. Around me, in Massachusetts, you can't use your own shopping bags, or your own refillable beverage containers for coffee, soda, etc. at stores, as you can't guarantee the cleanliness of the bag or mug.

I applaud that you are doing what you can to help non chain restaurants, I know a couple that I'm sure will not reopen after this is over, including, my favorite restaurant.

Dave

[hal]

jdc wrote:
[quote=hal]
A week or so into isolation my favorite restaurant just popped into my head. Went to the website and saw that they were doing take out orders. I ordered one of their amazing burgers for dinner and my favorite salad for lunch the next day. They were APPRECIATIVE and doing a pretty brick biz all things considered. And it felt good to help.

where?
Skip's Kitchen on El Camino near Mission - gawd, I love this place! I really hope they make it.

[numbered]

Paul F wrote:
I got a couple growlers refilled from a local hard cider maker on Wednesday.

I think the problem for the take out business is that they are not selling alcohol. Most restaurants make their profits on selling booze and the food is just a side business. We need to fill more growlers. Will they fill a growler with margaritas?

[N-OS X-tasy!]

numbered wrote:
[quote=Paul F]
I got a couple growlers refilled from a local hard cider maker on Wednesday.

I think the problem for the take out business is that they are not selling alcohol. Most restaurants make their profits on selling booze and the food is just a side business. We need to fill more growlers. Will they fill a growler with margaritas?
L.A. has moved to allow restaurants to sell alcohol to go. Groceries, too.