With most states now (if not all) issuing stay at home orders and only essential businesses being open, you might be wondering about what options there are to eat out from restaurants. As we know, we should be trying to limit our trips to the grocery store so we are in contact with less people and less germs are spread and shared--but what about restaurants? It is nice to eat from a restaurant not only to support local businesses but also to not use up our precious resources at home right away. This is certainly something I was wondering.


WHAT OPTIONS ARE THERE TO EAT OUT NOW?

Most restaurants are still open, however, customers are no longer allowed to do dine-in, but drive-thrus can still be open and many restaurants are doing curbside pickup. (This is at least what is happening right now in California and a lot of other places as well). I would make a call to the restaurant you plan to order from because in order to truly do curbside pickup and not have to go into the restaurant, you will have to prepay.

When I ordered our first take out meal of chicken wings from Wing Stop I had to place an order online instead of over the phone and then I called in when I was parked at the curb after I got my email that said the food was ready and they brought it out to me.

If you are over the age of 60 or have a compromised immune system, I would highly recommend doing the curbside pickup to avoid having to touch any extra door handles or have any close contact with another person.

WHAT CAN I DO FOR DELIVERY TO MY HOME?

There are many home delivery options for most restaurants, of course with things like Door Dash, Post Mates, etc. But even restaurants like Dominoes are doing a custom “contactless” delivery where they drop it off right at your doorstep and leave it there. After they leave back to their car, you can open the door and get your food. This makes it so you are not coming in close contact with anyone who could potentially infect you with the virus through droplets.


CAN I GET INFECTED FROM TOUCHING FOOD PACKAGING OR BY SOMEONE ELSE PREPARING MY FOOD?

The FDA website says this: “Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.” 

While there is a very slight possibility like with other viruses, the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects, so it is always good to remember to wash your hands as much as possible. 

Of course make sure to wash your hands after you get home from grocery shopping before you put all your groceries away and I think it is also a good idea to wash your hands after you get your food on your plate from your to-go packaging, before you eat it. 

The only real risk you have is if you are exposed to droplets from the person delivering it or the person you are paying when checking out, so if you are above the age of 60 or have a compromised immune system, I really would try and do a contactless delivery if at all possible.

I am still trying to cook at home as much as possible, but eating out every once in a while and doing a contactless delivery is a great way to still support local restaurants, as well as enjoy a delicious meal you didn’t have to cook.

My lemon pepper chicken wings have never tasted better, I tell you what! This is really making me see food and appreciate it in a whole new way.

Have you eaten out during this process at all or are you planning to just play it safe and eat at home? Please share any thoughts you have in the comments below.