by tKeith Emerald –
One of the hardest hit as a result of the coronavirus COVID-19 crisis is our beloved restaurant industry. Restauranteurs are doing what they can to survive the pandemic therefore take-out and delivery have become the new normal. The great news is that cocktails and other libations are available with food orders as long as they are put in the back of your vehicle.
Some restaurants are even selling groceries to supplement their income and to serve the public in need of basic essentials. A new innovation is meals you can freeze as well as meal kits from your favorite restaurants. This will allow you to enjoy great food all week long while helping our restaurant community stay afloat.
Pamela Waitt, president of the OC Restaurant Association, Inc. has come up with a one-stop resource to give foodies diverse options on her newly created website www.timefortakeout.com. Pamela has led a community of dedicated culinary professionals working together to promote, illuminate and unite the Orange County restaurant industry and the foodies who keep it thriving. Now it’s time for all foodies to lend support to those very restaurants.
With years of industry experience, she is renowned for launching OC Restaurant Week in 2008, which is now the region’s most celebrated dining event in Orange County. Celebrated for her visionary spirit and leadership abilities along with a commitment to developing Orange County as a world-class dining destination, Pamela is also the force behind the Golden Foodie Awards, Burger Week and Pacific Wine & Food Classic, which was voted as one of 2019’s 10 BEST Food Festivals in North America by USA Today and named the Winner of The LA Times Best Event in OC 2018.
It has also been acclaimed as one of the Top 10 Events in the World by the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. A Southern California native and taco lover who firmly believes in the power of food to connect us all, she recently acquired the coveted TacoTuesday.com domain and has extensive plans to use the website as planet Earth’s ultimate resource for everything tacos.
We caught up with Pam to get more details on how she came up with this brilliant “time for takeout” idea . . .
For those who have not yet heard of it, what exactly is TimeforTakeout.com?
It’s a guide listing what restaurants are open and what they are offering on their take-out menus.
What inspired you to create this online resource?
We need a hub that is managed and updated daily. Restaurants and menus are changing each day, so this is a one-stop-shop.
When foodies log on, what will they see?
A very simple easy-to-use site. You can search by county or city which includes Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles. Search the list of restaurants in your chosen area and see what each restaurant is offering. Many have discounted menus.
How many restaurants are currently listed on the website?
Over 200 with new restaurants being added every day.
In your own words, why is it important to support these restaurants during the pandemic?
Restaurants are a huge part of our lifestyle and culture and they are hurting now. Takeout is an easy way to support them and eat great food. You come in to contact with fewer people getting takeout than you would at a store. When this is over we’ll want to enjoy dining out again, we need to help keep them open during this.
You are also on the Board of Directors of the Golden Rule Charity, how would you best describe the mission of this non-profit charitable organization?
Golden Rule Charity grants support when people in the restaurant industry are navigating life-altering circumstances. When times are tough the charity can become a lifesaver and I’m proud to be a part of that. We are currently in the process of mailing checks to out of work restaurant employees that have fallen on hard times. Hopefully bringing some relief during the pandemic. Your readers in the hospitality industry can go to www.goldenrulecharity.com if they are in dire need. Also, those who may have the means to help those who are struggling can go to the website to donate.
Check out the menus at: www.timefortakeout.com
OTHER RESOURCES:
An extensive guide specific to L.A. is www.RestaurantHeroLA.com — find restaurants still serving with delivery, curbside and takeout.
Want booze? Recently launched www.Cellars.LA aggregates restaurants trying to unload their beverage inventory.
A San Diego Resource is https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/san-diego-restaurants-adding-takeout-delivery-off-premise-dining-coronavirus
North San Diego: https://sandiego.eater.com/maps/north-county-vista-oceanside-encinitas-carlsbad-del-mar-restaurant-takeout-delivery-to-go
Palm Springs Take-Out Options: https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/health/2020/03/18/coronavirus-palm-springs-area-restaurants-offer-delivery-take-out/5075658002/
If you prefer not to pick up your order, many of the restaurants are offer delivery. If they don’t, the top delivery apps include Door Dash, Grub Hub, Uber Eats, Seamless, Postmates, Eat24 and others with varying delivery charges. And bear in mind that a percentage of your order will be taken from the restaurant from which you are ordering from, so if you can go and get it they make more profit.