To survive in the quarantine-at-home reality brought on by the coronavirus pandemic, many Dallas restaurants are thinking out of the box to supply the public’s desire for restaurant style food at home.
Curbside delivery and meals to go have replaced sit-down dinners, but some establishments are going a bit further with meal kits containing instructions and all the ingredients for an at-home dinner. Others have joined the “pantry” trend by carrying various stables for the convenience of their customers.
A flyer printing service, often used to introduce a new player in the local dining scene, has also proven instrumental in conveying changing hours or services.
Some food establishments such as Whiskey Cake, Meddlesome Moth, Perry’s Steakhouse and Nosh Bistro have moved quickly to adjust their business strategy.
Others took a little bit longer, such as Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse chain, that has introduced “Fogo To-Go” which contains meals from ready-to-grill to ready-to-eat. Fogo’s also offers a selection of pantry staples and fresh produce for curbside pickup or delivery.
Other entries into the meal kit market include LongHorn Steakhouse, which is selling its steaks raw along with side dishes ready to heat. Already-cooked meals are available as well. North Italia is offering a Family Kit containing the customer’s choice of several fresh pastas and sauces.
The key to restaurants hanging on until the COVID-19 runs its course might lay in their ability to make the necessary adjustments to the changing circumstances.
