With restaurants in North Carolina only allowed to operate at 50 percent of their rated capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many have incorporated more outdoor seating to try to make up the difference.
And while it appears the vacation season on the Outer Banks is right back to normal, at least in terms of the number of people on our sand bar, things are definitely not back to normal.
The reduced seating, reduced staffs for various reasons, reduced hours and days of operation, the demand for more carry out and the lost spring business has left many Outer Banks eateries struggling to make it all work.
So have a little patience, and a little understanding, when you head out to eat. Not just here on the Outer Banks, but anywhere.
Jack Brown’s Beer and Burger Joint in Kill Devil Hills shared the challenges they have faced recently.
Lucky 12 Tavern in Nags Head had this to say on their Facebook page about what’s happening during these unprecedented times:
50 percent occupancy is hard to feed everyone that wants to come and eat, also 50 percent occupancy is difficult for servers and bartenders to make a living. While we are at it let’s address a few more points.
We are a restaurant not a catering company, thinking you can call and that we can prepare 36 items and have them ready in 20 minutes is absurd.
Also not tipping on to go food is not acceptable. Our servers are waiting on you on the phone and walking you through the menu, plus labeling, packaging and bagging your items.
If you can’t be respectful to my staff and adhere to our occupancy, smoking, pet and any other policies please take your business elsewhere! To those who LOVE what we do THANK YOU for the support in these challenging times.
The Kill Devil Grill is one of many restaurants that have gotten creative with the carry-out only service they are currently offering.
But the outdoor dining additions are making it really tough on wait staffs at many establishments. Ocracoke Oyster Company posted on Facebook some advice for when you plan to dine out.
Yes, Restaurant patios will be open. This is a new world though. You’re most likely going to a restaurant that threw together a patio in hopes of making some money.
The building was not designed for this. They are trying their best but everything may not be perfect. Eating in the streets is fun but it’s going to be hard on the employees.
They have to wear a mask and gloves no matter how hot and go possibly a few hundred feet to get more water. They are going to be hot, sweaty and most likely overwhelmed because these restaurants are not set up for this. Please help your servers in this journey by doing the following:
1. Don’t run your server. Try your best to ask for everything you need at once. Remember it’s going to be a long walk from the street into the building for more water or anything else. Help us out by asking all at once
2. No mask jokes or your views on them. The server has to wear it. They have no choice and really your opinion of them while you’re eating not wearing one means nothing to them.
3. The server is wearing the mask to protect you and you have nothing on to protect them. Wash your hands.
4. You eat. You go. Eat your meal. Have some drinks but please do not sit at a table all night unless you continue to spend money. These restaurants are working with very limited space. They can’t afford for you to order 2 side salads and water and sit there 4 hours. Yes people do do that. All the time.
5. DO NOT come out if you are sick.
6. Social distancing. Keep your kids at the table. Yes, they are cute but if they are running around they are getting too close to other people.
7. Cut everyone some slack. Everything may be a bit slow because this is basically a new job for everyone. Be kind.
8. TIP! They are going to be sweating wearing masks all to make a buck. Please treat them right and leave a decent tip. If you can’t afford to tip you can’t afford to go out. Tip courtesy, 20% is the bare minimum. If you feel they “suck”.. remember this post.
9. Be pleasant. You should be happy. You’re finally out.
10. Realize that the staff is doing their best.
11. Remember you have 3 meals a day every day of your life. This is only one of them. Calm down and enjoy it!
12. Please copy and paste!
