Local Restaurants and State Food Industry Respond to Governor’s Executive Order Closing Restaurants and Bars

A takeout BBQ sandwich meal from Rocky Top Beer BBQ.  Chef-Owner Nick Green will offer takeout each day until 8 PM.  JTV Photo.

With Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-9 temporarily closing dine-in options for restaurants and bars, the state’s restaurant industry is encouraging consumers take advantage of curbside takeout and delivery.  Many Jackson area restaurants are planning to offer takeout and/or delivery service. Restaurant operators contacted by JTV today are busy making plans to roll out services as soon as tonight.

With St. Patrick’s Day tomorrow, several restaurant owners told JTV News that it traditionally is their biggest day of the year.  Several restaurants will be offering Irish and St. Patrick’s Day specialties like corned beef and cabbage and Irish Stew.

John Burtka, owner of Grand River Brewery will be offering a full menu with St. Patrick’s Day specials.  “We will even run the order out to the car for you” said Burtka.  “Our team is also preparing to deliver and we also offer full catering”.

Diana Torres of Los Tres Amigos,  says they will be offering the full menu for takeout at two of their Jackson restaurants, North West Avenue and Michigan Center from 11 AM to 9 PM.  The West Michigan Avenue location will close. 

Steve’s Ranch owner Fay Odeh tells JTV News her restaurant will be open from 8:00am to 6:00pm with a full menu for takeout, including corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day.

JTV will be publishing a list of restaurants, menus, ordering and pickup instructions and other information regarding services.  If you are a restaurant operator, please contact JTV via our web form here.

The Executive Order does not restrict a place of business from offering food and beverage using delivery service, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, or drive-up service. Places of public accommodation are encouraged to do so and use precautions to mitigate potential transmission of COVID-19, including social distancing. Restaurants may allow five people inside at a time to pick up orders, so long as they stay six feet apart from each other.

“It’s important Michigan take the necessary steps to protect public health, but we also realize the importance of supporting local retail, eateries and stores,” said Gary McDowell, director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director. “You can still get your favorite foods, just in a different way than before, as we work together to reduce the spread. I urge you to continue to support your area businesses, who are often the foundation of our local communities, by buying gift certificates for later use, getting take-out or delivery.”

“The restaurant industry is filled with innovative, resilient leaders who have a knack for rising to the occasion when challenges arise,” said Justin L. Winslow, President & CEO Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. “Michiganders should know that they can trust that their local restaurants will continue to provide safe and delicious meals for them and their families throughout this difficult time – just curbside instead tableside for the time being. If take out or delivery is not an option, we also encourage people to consider purchasing a gift card to help their favorite restaurant through this difficult period.”

Additionally, MDARD wants to remind Michiganders that this is a time to prepare, not panic. Flooding the grocery and convenience stores doesn’t allow them time to properly restock with the items consumers are looking to buy. The supply chain is intact, and the food and items are available, but giving time for the stores to take and replenish inventory is critical to ensure everyone has access to what they need at the store.

“Grocers are working hard to keep stores sanitary and stocked. We’re encouraging consumers to make reasonable purchasing decisions,” said Bill Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “This will take the pressure off grocery stores that are trying to keep up with demand for such essentials as toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Those products will be consistently available if shoppers simply buy what they need, rather than clearing the shelves.”

“Michigan is taking decisive steps to minimize spread and reduce risk to vulnerable populations and return us all to a normal state as quickly as possible,” added McDowell.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.