Updated Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Over the past couple weeks, the food and beverage industry in Durham (and around the world) has had to shift and flex like never before due to the Coronavirus pandemic. They have had to change business models, methods, and adapt at lightening speed. They have all had to make incredibly difficult decisions and are facing incredibly difficult financial strains.
It’s true, we still need to find ways to support our local establishments, though the ways in which we do will and should, at least for a while, look different.
We’ve all seen the e-mails and posts stating the steps and precautions restaurants are taking to keep guests and staff safe. And while the situation changes from week-to-week (and more recently from day to day), here are the biggest trends we are noticing right now, along with tips for continuing to support local in a responsible way.
Curbside Pickup
NuvoTaco was one of the first restaurants we noticed in Durham that began to offer and advertise curbside pick up. No-touch curbside to-go and pick-up and online ordering have been a focus early on. You just text your name and number on the sign and they bring out your order! They also do delivery of their entire menu.Lime and Lemon offers order-ahead curbside pick up, and within a five-mile radius you can get free delivery on orders over $50.
Curbside service at Fullsteam starts today, so patrons can get hot food and cold beer brought right out to their car. Call 919-GET-BEER and pay by phone (an 18% service charge goes directly to bar staff).
Grub has its super cute outdoor to-go window now solely dedicated to to-go/grab-and-go catering orders. Online ordering is easy and so is pick up at the window (or they will bring over to your car).
Toast is also providing no-touch curbside pick up and some of their items, such as the soups, can be easily stored and frozen for later.
You can still get great pizzas from Pizzeria Toro, too! They will be offering curbside pick up from 4-9pm from the bar side entrance (near the bike shop). Beer and wine can be purchased at reduced prices too.
On Wednesday, Cucciolo Osteria begins curbside pickup and delivery service (within a 2 mile radius of the restaurant). No minimum and no delivery charge! They will also be offering wines at 25% discounted prices for take-out and delivery.
Added Delivery Options
Our favorite dumplings and Chinese sandwich shop Sister Liu’s has felt a strong impact since the virus began to make news and made the difficult decision to close their storefront early, however, delivery has remained a solid option.
Zweli’s, which has also lost a lot of catering gigs, is emphasizing orders for delivery, of which many will be personally prepared and sometimes even delivered by the owners themselves, Leo and Zweli.
Prepared Family Meals
Boricua Soul, which has a truck and a brick and mortar spot at American Tobacco, encourages ordering from the regular menu on the website with 1 hour notice. Over the next few weeks, they will move forward with a system of fixed meals that will have to be ordered in advance and picked up during their open hours. “Featured Items” currently include pans of Take-n-Bake Mac and Cheese and Meatloaf that will feed a family of four.
Foster’s Market will continue Monday Family Dinners and newly added Weekend Meals (for pick up on Thursdays) as long as there’s a demand.
Sage & Swift Catering (which branched off of Watt’s Grocery) is revamping its Dinner-to-Go offerings, now featuring breakfast, lunch and a la carte selections. Pick up is every Tuesday 3-6pm at their catering kitchen at 2505 Whilden Drive in Durham or they will deliver. Bottles of wine can be ordered as well.
Online Ordering
Cocoa Cinnamon’s coffee shops recommend purchasing bags of their roastery’s Little Waves Coffee, which you easily order online (with free shipping over $45). You can also now order boxes of churros for pick up from their Lakewood location (and are working on expanded pick up options at their other locations).
The Parlour will be offering a limited takeout menu (with vegan options) from Tuesday through Saturday, 12-6pm.
Doing Good in Time of Need
Makus Empanadas is making a kind gesture: By purchasing a dozen empanadas, you will receive another dozen for free. They kindly ask that you give these extra empanadas to a community member who is at risk, including the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions or healthcare professionals. To avoid crowds, they encourage people to use their app, or go online a delivery or takeout order. (In addition, curbside pick up is available.)
As anticipated, as of Tuesday, March 17th at 5pm, restaurants and bars in North Carolina have been ordered to close. Email me at bitesofbullcity@gmail.com if you have leads on great take-out options and deals!
And remember, let’s all be patient, flexible, and kind to our restaurants and to each other as we navigate new ways of dining for the foreseeable future.
Sharlene Mason says
I encourage folks to purchase gift cards to help local businesses through the cash crunch and to keep their lights on!
Shaina says
Thanks so much for posting this list! Any chance you’d be willing to expand the list to include Chapel Hill/Carrboro restaurants?
Barack OBama says
Beer Study is delivering beer, I think minimum $25 and within 5 mile radius.