While many restaurants and fast food places have had to shut down, many have re-opened for takeout and delivery orders only.
If you opt for pickup, don’t forget to bring a mask (required to cover both nose and mouth to be effective). Respect both the workers’ health and your own family’s.
And when it comes to contactless delivery, in my experience, it’s a good idea to leave a chair beside your door, so food deliveries can be placed there rather than on the floor of your doorstep.
Also, as birthdays continue on as well, consider setting up a meal (with dessert) delivery to your loved one as a gift, though it’s probably smart to consult them on their menu choice and meal time preference first.
Note: Many of these food spots may offer delivery only within a limited radius of their location, so be sure to double check whether they deliver to your specific area.
Have fun researching what your local independent food spots or even your favorite local franchises are saying on their websites. For example, here is a list of some of my local Los Angeles eateries to show you the types of food places that you might not have thought of which are currently offering pickup and delivery services.
Doughnut Shops
Most doughnut places are small independent “Mom and Pop” shops that could really use the support through this especially fraught financial time. Even the well-known local hot spots for foodies are feeling the pinch. Do your part to help them stay in business and open at a location near you.
California Donuts (https://cadonuts.com/) - This Los Angeles staple is open every day for takeout at their pickup windows and through delivery with Doordash, Postmates, etc.
Birdies (https://birdieschickensandwich.com/) - A downtown L.A. hot spot for doughnuts and chicken sandwiches. Currently offering pickup or delivery through Doordash, Postmates, etc.
Small Bakeries and Cafes
Check the websites of your local bakeries and cafes to see if they have a limited menu and what their delivery options are. Because as these months go by, there are still occasions to celebrate with pastries and desserts: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, milestones, and more.
Porto’s Bakery and Cafe (https://www.portosbakery.com/) - Through their website, they are offering outstanding limited menu options (which includes many varieties of their famously delicious cakes and pastries) currently available as in-car pickup.
The Original Martino’s Bakery (https://www.martinosbakery.com/) - Order directly through their website for in-store pickup, curbside pickup, or delivery. Check out their vast menu and enjoy it for any occasion.
Smoothie Shops and Juiceries
Get your cool refreshing smoothie fix or try some freshly juiced drinks. Most smoothie shops and juiceries are actually small business franchises offering delivery through their website and third-party services like Doordash, Postmates, UberEats, and etc. Show your support to keep your local ones open.
Robeks (https://robeks.com/home.html) - Enjoy their fresh juices, smoothies, and bowls by ordering directly through their website for pickup, curbside pickup, and delivery.
Jamba (https://www.jamba.com/) - Order pickup or delivery of their smoothies, juices, and bowls directly from their website.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt Shops
Beat the heat with frozen desserts and treat yourself! See what fro-yo flavors are in season and enjoy a brisk cold delight when these hot summer days and nights start getting to you. Check out their hours on their website too -- just in case you’d like to satisfy a late night craving.
Yogurtland (https://www.yogurt-land.com/) - This delicious fro-yo spot offers takeout and delivery at participating locations through Doordash, Postmates, GrubHub, etc.
Wanderlust Creamery (https://www.wanderlustcreamery.com/) - Craving some fun flavors of ice cream? With a handful of locations throughout Los Angeles, you can order ahead through their website for pickup and curbside pickup.
Buffet-style Restaurants
With some of the buffet-style restaurant businesses already folding under the pressure, I’m sure you can guess that these particular types of food places are being hit especially hard in these harsh circumstances. So perhaps check if you have any local ones still standing and see if they offer any family feasts or personal meal options for takeout or delivery.
Pampas Grill (http://www.pampas-grill.com/) - This Brazillian BBQ buffet restaurant is offering takeout and delivery through Postmates and GrubHub.
Bollywood Grill (https://bollywoodgrill.biz/) - This Indian buffet restaurant offers pickup and delivery through online ordering on their website.
Specialty Food Shops
Need access to those hard to find special ingredients for your favorite family recipes and home cooked comfort food? Well, perhaps consider checking the websites of your local specialty food shops to see if they deliver. After all, isn’t now the best time to indulge in some delicious and heartwarming comfort food?
Surfas (https://www.surfasonline.com/) - This store offers hard to find gourmet and culinary ingredients and equipment. They also have a Cafe & Deli that is open for pickup and delivery through online ordering on their website.
Erewhon Market (https://erewhonmarket.com/) - With several locations in Los Angeles, go to their website to shop their groceries or order from their menu of cafe food and tonics for pickup or delivery.
Authentic International Fare
Whether it is Mexican, Italian, Thai, or Indian food, there are small independent businesses near you that offer takeout and delivery and need your help to keep the doors open. These are usually family-run food joints that run “on a wing and a prayer,” so support them now by ordering while you still can.
Don Cuco (https://www.doncuco.com/) - Order online directly from their website for pickup or delivery of tasty authentic Mexican food.
Pine & Crane (https://www.pineandcrane.com/) - With online ordering available directly from their website, enjoy pickup or delivery of yummy authentic Taiwanese-Chinese food.
In Conclusion
While some businesses might be hanging in there due to their smooth transition into offering delivery, many businesses might not be doing okay. With so little margin for loss, some of the smaller chains that looked to be up and coming or solidifying themselves as mainstays for your local and surrounding areas may now be in danger.
And lest you think losing your favorite food place can’t happen to you, check out the obituary list of L.A. restaurants that have permanently closed due to the pandemic (https://la.eater.com/2020/5/8/21252137/los-angeles-la-restaurant-bar-permanently-closed-coronavirus-crisis-pandemic). If they can’t afford to stay open, they won’t. So, don’t take your local favorites for granted and enjoy them now if you can.
We hope you found this post helpful. And if you have any ideas of food places I may have missed that could really use much-needed patronage and support right now, please share them with the rest of us in a comment below.
