Bars and restaurants all over the Buckeye State have been closed by the threat of the novel coronavirus, but many around Ottawa County are still cooking. Carry-out meals are still available, and some restaurants are also making beer and win available.
Customers can enter a restaurant to pick up their orders. They not allowed to sit down and eat, however.
“We’re making plans to offer carry-out meals, and so is everyone I’ve talked to over the weekend at the other restaurants,” said Kevin Lowe, who owns Rosie’s Bar & Grill and 1812 Food & Spirits in Port Clinton. “Our menus for Rosie’s and 1812 Food & Spirits are both online, and we will offer beer and wine for carry-out, as well.”
Social media is now a good way to scout for food establishments that offer carry-out meals, as well as those who will deliver food, said Lowe.
Most establishments want to keep their employees on the job. Servers, cooks and other restaurant employees can be hard to find when the busy summer season lurks.
Bruno’s Pizzeria in Marblehead is used to producing grab-and-go Italian food and delivers, as well. Recognizing local students will not be allowed to go to school for at least the next three weeks because of the virus, Bruno’s has created its Helping Hands Pizza Program. For the next three weeks, any area student, regardless of school, can visit the Marblehead pizza shop and get a free large slice of pizza and bottled water.
The Marblehead Galley and Freighters Lounge in Marblehead offered carry out this past weekend, and is considering deliveries. Frisch’s Big Boy in Port Clinton and all of the other fast food outlets already have drive-though service, but won’t be allowed to serve sit-down meals.
The Twin Oast Brewery on Catawba Island is only two years old, but owner Cory Smith is ambitious. His crew debuted their Stone Oven Pizza last weekend, just in time for delivery and pickup orders.
“Our pizzas can be made in a very short amount of time, and we can get people in and out quickly,” he said. “It will help to keep our staff busy and working during these strange times.
“We all just hope Twin Oast will be swamped with orders, and that we’ll get people back inside the brewery soon for the beer, food and entertainment.”
Smith feels there are going to be a lot of people who will soon become tired of home-cooked meals and don’t want to go to the grocery stores, which are open.
“We’ll take orders by phone and online, and can offer our custom-brewed beer in single cans or a four-pack. We’ll even fill a growler with beer, but the growler has to be purchased. We’re not allowed to refill outside containers.”
President and CEO Charlie Bassett has assured customers that Bassett’s Market in the Knoll Crest Shopping Plaza will focus on keeping its store shelves fully stocked. Bassett’s will limit its fresh salad bar to hot homemade soups only, that can be purchased in to-go containers.
Bassett’s will increase the frequency of cleaning its hand baskets, shopping carts, checkouts, credit card terminals, food service counters, door handles, case fronts, shelving, pens, keyboards, touch screens, time clocks and seating areas.
Disinfectant wipes will be placed at entrances and throughout the store. Restrooms will be sanitized more frequently and stocked with soap and paper towels.
Just came from Bassett’s in the Knoll Crest Shopping Plaza and they were busy stocking shelves. They had everything I wanted!