Tag: covid-19

Parking lot eats and social distancing in south Scottsdale

A week into the Covid-19 pandemic and restaurants only serving takeout I’ve been making my way to my neighborhood “Go to” restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are plenty of great restaurants in south Scottsdale and I’ve been to my share but rarely do I dine in the parking lot. With takeout only available I rarely take the food more than a few feet from where I pick it up from. With so many great lists of restaurants serving takeout I wanted to put a list together of my neighborhood parking lot eats that I’ve been supporting before we started social distancing. parking lot eats

I haven’t found the need to travel far from home during this time so most are in 85257/857251 that I can walk or bike to but occasionally I make my way into Phoenix or Tempe.

Follow me on Instagram for real time #ParkingLotFoodPic and check back as update the list of my parking lot eats.

Inner Circle Cafe cheerfully serving coffee breakfast & lunch.

Defalco’s Italian Deli & Grocery– A favorite for sandwiches, wine, pizza and more. The Il Purista is one of the “Best Sandwiches” in town says me.

Losbeto’s on Hayden north of Thomas has 24/7 drive thru.

George’s Famous Gyros– The best gyros, lots of meat!!!

Los Sombreros– Mexican food and Steve-O-Ritas to go at this south Scottsdale staple.

Clancy’s Pub for St. Patrick’s Day, my last dine-in before shutdown.

Gus’s NY Pizza– A coupla slices always taste good.

Tocaya Organica– Healthy food at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Spinato’s Pizza in Tempe on Rio Salado.

Starlite BBQ– Smoked meats and whiskey while you wait.

Old Town Scottsdale Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning for breakfast.

Spinatos Meatball sandwich

Macayo’s has grocery items to go and and delivers to hospitals

Many in the restaurant community being hurt by the coronavirus shut down have been helping the local community too. Macayo’s Restaurants is no different trying to survive with to go meals but are offering grocery store staples as well. Frozen and bulk items such as tamales, bottled water, tortillas, chicken, mini- meal kits and more are available.

The restaurant has also lowered prices on to go meals. Kid’s meals at $3.99, appetizers from $6.99 -$8.99 and favorites like the Baja Burro and others for $9.99. 12 oz. bottles or margaritas are $10 and will be enough for 2 drinks.

“It’s no secret that restaurants everywhere have taken a serious hit in recent weeks, and Macayo’s is no different,” said Nava Singam of KIND hospitality. “Our loyal fans who continue to order takeout are keeping us afloat, and we wanted to return the favor by cutting prices and otherwise helping the community however we can.”

The restaurant is delivering free food to hospitals and grocery stores where many employees are working long hours.

To find a Macayo’s near you and to order from their menu check out their website.

Arizona Restaurant Association responds with Arizona Takeout Week

In a response to closing all restaurants ordered by Governor Ducey to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Arizona Restaurant Association announces the start of an ongoing Arizona Takeout Week. Effective today restaurants can only serve food for takeout and delivery along with beer & wine. Some restaurants had already closed their dining rooms to focus on takeout and delivery.

The ARA thought up the idea as they organize the popular bi-annual Arizona Restaurant Week.

“We appreciate and thank Governor Ducey for his efforts in working with the restaurant industry to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus,” says Arizona Restaurant Association President and CEO Steve Chucri. “The Arizona restaurant family appreciates his work and that of all elected leaders in our state during this unparalleled time in our history.”

There are more than 200,000 jobs in the restaurant industry in Arizona and with locals ordering take out it’s the only way these restaurants can stay in business.

“At the end of the day, we are the industry of ‘happy’ — that is what the hospitality industry represents. We hope to bring a bit of happiness to Arizonans during this extremely difficult time through Arizona Takeout Week while keeping our employees and restaurants afloat,” Chucri says.

I’ve have 2 posts about restaurants around Arizona who are serving food and wine for takeout. Below are additional restaurants serving takeout meals around Arizona. For more information visit the Arizona Restaurant Association website and for any restaurants looking to participate in Arizona Takeout Week email them at takeout@azrestaurant.org

Federal Pizza
Rusconi’s American Kitchen
Phoenix City Grille
Jewell’s Bakery and Café
Pita Jungle
Little Woody
Wildflower Tucson
S&V Urban Italian
Blanco

Koibito Poke
Liberty Station
Provision
Trapp Haus BBQ
Original Breakfast House
Urban Margarita

Coronavirus and the Phoenix restaurant and hospitality community

As we are now well into this Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic its taking its toll on every industry around the world. Here in Arizona festivals and events are being cancelled or postponed, restaurants and other business’s are voluntarily cutting back hours. As I saw this weekend several Phoenix restaurants continued to be busy with people going out to eat & drink. Many are sending out emails and posting on social media how their following deep cleaning and sanitizing procedures and following guidelines from local and state health departments.

FnB and Rancho Pinot Grill made tough decisions to close their dining rooms but stay open to provide meals for take out or delivery. I’m sure others will follow with these and other decisions while looking at creative and necessary ways to continue to serve our community and pay staff and other expenses. So far the State of Arizona hasn’t required businesses to shut down the way other states have enforced curfews and closings.

How you can help during the coronavirus

When a cure is found for Coronavirus and the risk of it spreading slows down hopefully many of our favorite restaurants and hospitality industry rebounds with no permanent closures. Sadly I feel several will close permanently due to the sudden drop in business right during our busy season. Dining out is a great way to help local restaurants whether you cautiously dine-in, have food delivered or taken- out or buying a gift card for a future visit. If you do the latter I hope the restaurant or businesses are still in business when you choose to visit.

Looking on the bright side we as a community learn from experiences like we’re going through. New processes are being learned and implemented but may become a reality for when things return to as they were. Full service restaurants like FnB and Rancho Pinot may continue to do more take-out business than traditional dining. As few businesses may fall others will be created to take their place. Hopefully this will be short lived and we can get back to gathering at festivals & restaurants and sharing meals & good times together but it’s up to us to minimize the damage by supporting local restaurants and business when we can afford to and feel safe doing so. Visit Local First Arizona for a list of locally owned businesses you can support. Be safe!