Our Favorite Baltimore Restaurants Offering Take Out and Delivery

So about the last few weeks…

The world’s gone mad. Panic has ensued. Toilet paper has vanished (seriously, still doesn’t make any sense). And the restaurant industry is on the brink of total collapse.

As we wait to learn the details of the anticipated stimulus given to workers by the federal government, it appears as if the fate of our community’s small business are entirely in our hands. Restaurants are the pillars of the neighborhood. They bring people together for shared experiences in a way that few institutions can replicate.

They also have notoriously thin margins and rely on the gratuity of patrons to support their employees. As more and more customers fall into quarantine, restaurants are asking themselves a very serious question:

“What the fuck are we going to do?”

While some establishments are making the choice to close down to protect their people and customers from potential infection, others are forced to stay open in order to stay afloat. It’s a real life trolley problem. There’s no objective right decision. But potential consequence at each turn. Either for the health of people and patrons. Or for irreversible financial damage that can leave individuals in ruin.

In spite of this, the restaurant industry has shown its resiliency and humanity. In spite of extraordinary obstacles, it’s a collection of individuals doing their best in the face of extraordinary circumstances and uncertainty (I mean who really saw this coming a year ago besides Bill Gates).

For those looking to go above and beyond, here are two tangible ways of helping.

Demand That Restaurant Workers are Part of the Federal Stimulus

If you work in restaurants or care at all about the hard working individuals in the industry:

please call your Representative and your Senators. You can be connected to the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121

Demand that we are part the federal stimulus plan #toosmalltofail
— Dave Chang (@davidchang) March 17, 2020

With all our newfound free time, consider calling your state Representative and Senators to elevate the concern of the restaurant industry. It’s easy and it just might make a difference. If not, it’ll definitely give you someone to talk to for a couple minutes (we know you extroverts be struggling out there).

Consider donating to restaurants and workers directly

Some restaurants have begun offering “gift cards” as a means of driving business during the outbreak. While you may not be able to exchange the value of the gift card for the foreseeable future, the guaranteed payment will go a long way right now to ensuring the restaurant is in a better position to whether the storm in the interim.

Additionally, community organizers have begun compiling “Virtual Tip Jars” to share donations with the individuals behind the scenes. Since a majority of employee income is generated from gratuity, scaling down operations represents a very real risk to those relying on tips to survive.

The list is updated by a moderator (to ensure there’s no funny business) and is ever evolving. Please consider donating directly to your favorite establishments.

Buy your groceries from your restaurants

Now the above headline may seem a bit counter-intuitive, but a number of restaurant have begun expanding their services in order to solicit new business. One of the most innovating things we have observed is the restaurant working directly with farms and customers to selling their ingredients.

View this post on Instagram

We're restocked on @kitchengirlfarm eggs! Pick-up 4-7pm. Fresh bagels are also on the menu for today!

A post shared by Noona's Pizza (@noonaspizza) on Mar 21, 2020 at 9:53am PDT

Not only is this a great way to get the best quality produce, it is the best way to support the local economy by keeping your dollar in the Baltimore supply chain (local consumers supporting local businesses supporting local farmers), it is a lot more relaxing than fighting the crowds at the grocery store.

Now in addition the above, the most direct way to support your local restaurants is by ordering from them if they are still open. Put your money where your mouth is and start ordering takeout/delivery. Besides, doesn’t it feel a little premature to start eating only Campbell’s Soup and Spam when your Baltimore favorites still have their doors open? For those looking where to find a tasty meal, we recommend checking out the following restaurants: