Best places to grab grub during COVID-19

It’s unfortunate that a lot of our favorite places are currently closed due to COVID-19. The good news is that some of them are doing take-out, and the better news is that some of them are trying really hard, despite the current circumstances, to take care of their employees and their community. We need to support restaurants when we can to continue supporting the economy and community, and let’s face it, we’re getting a little tired of our own cooking. Not to mention, it might be hard to find all the ingredients we might need for a recipe.

So who should you support at a time like this? We’ve put together a little list of local restaurants doing some good! 

Olive & June 

512-467-9898, 3411 Glenview Ave.

Olive & June, a deliciously authentic Italian restaurant, currently offers curbside pickup from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through sundays. Call when you arrive and they’ll bring the order to your car. You can order online and beer and wine are also available to-go! 

Vamanos

512-474-2029, 4807 Airport Blvd.

Tex-Mex option Vamanos is offering curbside pickup with a good variety of appetizers and more available. They’re open for lunch and dinner.

Lonesome Dove Austin

512-271-2474, 419 Colorado St.

Western Bistro Lonesome Dove Austin is offering curbside pickup from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 

Forthright Cafe

512-300-0886, 35 Brazos St.

Forthright Cafe is open for curbside. In addition to the updated all-day menu which includes cocktails and half-price bottles of wine, they’ve created a few quarantine kits and added a 30% discount to the entire menu. Discount applies at checkout. You can pick up (or have it delivered if you’re in the 78701 area) from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. They’re also offering Shelter-In-Place pantry essentials, like flour, bread and eggs, so you don’t have to wait in line at the grocery store if you only need a few things! 

Contigo Catering

512-750-0343, 3709 Promontory Point, Ste. B201

Contigo is offering a variety of meals, including family size, which is perfect for a larger group or if you want leftovers to eat on for a few days. They are also offering grocery items such as sweet potatoes, beans, rice and more. Want some wine to go? They’ve got you covered! 

Old Thousand

737-222-6637, 1000 E 11th St.

This Chinese food restaurant is still open for take-out and delivery and is offering specials right now. 

Bartlett’s

512-451-7333, 2408 W Anderson Ln.

This steakhouse sources top quality meats, seafood, vegetables and cheeses. They hand-cut fish and steaks, freshly grind chuck for burgers, and make their own soups, buttermilk ciabatta, mustard, and two week pickle relish from scratch. They are offering to-go options right now and if you live in a 3.5 mile radius of the location, DoorDash will deliver your food to you!

Revelry Kitchen + Bar

512-322-5223, 1410 E 6th St.

If you’re in the mood for a good burger, this is your place. But really, everything is good. 

Safety tips for getting grub

There’s still not a lot of evidence right now on whether COVID-19 is spreadable on surfaces or through food. It’s likely, if the food is hot enough, that it would kill the virus in the unlikely event that it ended up on something edible. Regarding food packaging, we think it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Here’s a few tips to help keep you safe:

1. Make contactless payments online or via apps.

2. Choose only piping Hot Food that’s cooked above 158F or 70C and drinks in completely sealed containers that can be wiped down. 

3. Take a tub or bag with you that your takeaway food can be deposited into.

4. When you get home, wash your hands or put on gloves and pour food onto clean plates. Wipe down drink bottles or containers with disinfectant. 

5. Wash plastic utensils and sealed sauce containers in hot soapy water before use.

6. Remove outer packaging and throw away.

7. Reheat food in the microwave.

8. Wash tub or bag and remove gloves if wearing them. Wash gloves in soapy water or dispose of gloves properly.

9. Wash hands again before eating.