Small Support

As the entire country is being affected by the COVID-19 closures, small restaurants seek the support of customers

By Celine Perez and Mercedes Debesa, staff writers

If you or your loved ones have been craving some unique food from your favorite small business, now is the best time to support. For many restaurants the struggle of COVID-19 is taking away customers and tourists that provide the revenue for these mom-and-pop shops. As these small businesses work through these trying times, customers are being encouraged to order take out, not only for their safety but to also help support these hardworking businesses and keep the economy afloat.

In order to keep the working environment safe, many have made extreme changes to ensure the safety of customers and workers. Since restaurants are no longer allowed to host patrons, many have transitioned to offering take-out, curb-side, and delivery options. Unfortunately, with the rapid decrease in customers, many restaurants are forced to limit their opening hours and layoff many of their staff workers. Some restaurants are not fortunate enough to stay open due to the piling debt and have since closed.

With the stress of being forced into quarantine and isolated from the typical Miami fun, the flavorful foods these local businesses have to offer will feel like home. Giving back to these restaurants will help these restaurants to survive through this quarantine while enjoying some delicious food. While these unprecedented times may seem scary or confusing, one of the best things any citizen stuck at home can do is order from their favorite local restaurant, instead of a big chain.

Islas Del Caribe

Located at 4239 West Flagler Street, Coral Gables is Islas del Caribe. This five-star Miami staple offers a unique mix of Italian and Honduran food.

This dive offers food for as little as $10, making their cuisine affordable and delicious. With options ranging from Baleadas (Honduran tortillas with fried red beans and a choice of meat) to Pescado a lo Macho (a dish containing white fish, mussels, shrimp, clams and calamari in a red sauce served with rice and fried plantains) any stomach will be left satisfied.

The restaurant is run by a family and has been open for only two years. Since the pandemic hit, they are one of the many greatly affected by the lack customers. They are taking great measures to ensure the safety of the staff and customers with the option to deliver the food directly to the customer’s home or order takeout.

“No matter what the circumstances, our goal is to provide the best quality and most hygienic final product,” co-owner Wilfredo Guevara said.

Islas del Caribe is currently using DoorDash and UberEats as its main method of delivery and are open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Pekin Restuarant 2

Pekin Restuarant 2 has been serving customers for years. This family-run business offers both delivery and takeout with their own services.

Located at 3640 NW 7th Street, it provides an extensive menu as well as an Asian grocery store.

Due to reports of COVID-19 originating in China, unfounded xenophobia and racism has increased towards these Asian communities and hurting many authentic and small businesses. An important thing to do at this time is to order from a local Chinese restaurant and support their business.

This restaurant is one of the few Chinese restaurants open, with many already shut down because of the results of fear and prejudice.

Pekin Restaurant 2 is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a moderate price range. The food offered ranges from Szechuan Dishes (meat dishes served with white rice) to Chow Mein.

Offering many variations of Chinese dishes, both traditional and more American Pekin Restaurant 2 is definitely an option for anyone’s next meal at home.

Threefold Cafe

From Latte art to waffles, Threefold Cade is known for its aesthetic and photo-worthy food. The restaurant is keeping its business running at six different locations in the greater Miami area, with no hopes of closing down.

Due to the rapid decrease of in-house business, the cafe has incorporated affordable family meals and groceries that consist of fresh vegetables, fruits and perishable items to its menu. These meal packages change on a daily basis with new options available and have free delivery throughout Miami-Dade County. Even worries over the toilet paper shortage can be resolved as it can be bought alongside a family meal package.

The process is simple: by visiting the Threefold Cafe website, a customer can pick one of the restaurants they would like to pick-up from (Giralda, South Miami, Palmetto Bay, Brave Church, Granada Church, Brickell or Allapattah). Then scrolling down there is a variety of options available from Express Grocery Baskets to daily Protein Specials.

While the prices can range from $2.50 to $100 the ease is something that is comforting for many customers.

“I probably order food from here once a week, it is a next day delivery process but everything is delicious and fresh. It makes this crazy time a little more manageable,” customer Diane Cassanova said.

One of their most popular items is the Family Meal Basket. For $50 this basket comes with a main dish, a soup, salsa, sauce, two packets of pasta and two pounds of rice-enough to feed a family of five and still have leftovers.

Currently all Threefold Cafe locations are open for pick-up and delivery (with DoorDash and Postmates) from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE SMALL BUSINESS

Order take-out through the restuarant itself: Working with the restuarant itself ensures all your money is going to them

Support Them On Social Media: Follow, like and share their posts

Tell Your Friends and Family: Tell everyone you know and improve sales

Give Them Good Reviews: Every star counts, help boost their ratings

Most Importantly. Buy: No small business can succeed without customers, make sure you support them as much as big companies

Other Businesses to Support: P. Pole Pizza, Sanguiche de Miami, Mofongos Restuarant, LoKal