Take the pandemic, add Mardi Gras, plus a side of paczki, then dump nearly 18 inches of snow on top and that’s Tuesday in Chicago.
While some restaurants remained closed from the snowstorm that started over the weekend, others managed to open, and one is even offering free ice cream.
Bridgeport Bakery on the South Side had planned to open at midnight for its annual Fat Tuesday paczki pickups, which numbered around 25,000 pieces in past years, but owner Can Lao announced late Monday night he would open 30 minutes earlier.
“Due to the big storm, we decided to open for earlier pick up for customers this year,” wrote Lao on the bakery’s Facebook page. “All the snow has been cleaned. (At the moment).”
One customer had ordered Bridgeport paczki delivery then shared the experience on Twitter: “And damned if they didn’t still deliver them, 10 minutes early! THAT is service!”
Jade Court in the Hyde Park neighborhood closed for a snow day. “We couldn’t even get out of our driveway today,” wrote owner Carol Cheung via Facebook. Lunar New Year began Friday, but it is celebrated for two weeks.
The Licking restaurant on the West Side did open, but about two hours late.
“Employees stuck at home in their driveway,” wrote owner Lenny Coffey Weston via text. Those who tried to take Uber and Lyft discovered that drivers kept canceling, he added. Seven employees finally made it into the restaurant in the South Austin neighborhood, instead of the normal 10, to cover takeout and dine in, which has expanded to 40% capacity after Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s announcement Tuesday.
Soul & Smoke in Evanston closed Monday and Tuesday.
“Even if our team could have gotten there, not sure anyone wants to pick up and delivery is too spotty,” wrote Heather Bublick, chef and co-owner with husband and executive chef D’Andre Carter, via Facebook.
“We’re going to celebrate Fat Tuesday tomorrow,” added Bublick. “D’Andre is going in to make meals for the homeless shelter we’re supposed to feed today. Other than necessary meals, we’re all working from home.”
Sfera Sicilian Street Food, a virtual restaurant working out of a ghost kitchen in the Avondale neighborhood, is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but dealt with third party delivery issues this past weekend due to the snow and cold.
“Food was ordered without anyone willing to deliver it,” said Steven Jarczyk, co-owner with wife Daniela Vitale, via email. “Orders were hours late, in some cases never picked up. Delivery app support was basically helpless, useless in some cases.” Generally the third party app pays, added Jarczyk, but only if the restaurant chases a refund.
Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream on the South Side not only opened, but also is giving out ice cream all day.
“We’re giving out free scoops of our famous Grandma’s Old Fashioned Vanilla today!” wrote Yahya Muhammad, co-owner with wife Nataki Muhammad, via text. They commemorate Feb. 16, the birthday of his late sister and namesake of the ice cream shop in Bronzeville, every year as Shawn Michelle’s Day, no matter the weather.
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