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UPDATE: The city of Dallas has closed all bars and restaurant dining rooms for at least the next seven days. Restaurants will be allowed to fulfill takeout and delivery orders while the new restrictions are in place.
As officials across the country limit restaurant capacities and close bars, DFW restaurants are starting to preemptively close their doors to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Richardson’s Maru Ramen announced last week that it would temporarily shutter its doors in an effort to “eliminate any chances of potential spreading for any customers,” according to a post to the restaurant’s Facebook page. It’s the first major temporary restaurant closure in the DFW area without a planned end date — at present, its owners tell Eater that the restaurant will be closed for at least the next two weeks, potentially longer.
Due to the circumstances around the nation & the world, we feel it is best to close until the situation is under control...
Posted by Maru Ramen on Friday, March 13, 2020
Expo Park mezcal bar Las Almas Rotas will also close its doors temporarily, effective March 17 until further notice, according to a post to its Facebook page. The bar is currently in the process of setting up a system for to-go food orders. Italian eatery The Charles and its sister spot Bar Charles have also closed the doors for the next two weeks.
Other restaurants have a more defined comeback plan in mind. In the Design District, sophisticated eatery Oak has also closed its doors, but currently plans to reopen on March 20, according to a post to its Facebook page. Sister spot Merchant House, located at 4040 Maple Avenue, will also close until the 20th. Considering that the coronavirus situation is extremely fluid, though, it’s likely that those closures could be extended.
On Monday, Monkey King Noodle Company in Deep Ellum closed its doors to dine-in service, and will offer its full menu for take-out and delivery. Gloved employees will deliver orders to the curb for pick-up, or diners can order via Caviar and UberEats.
Meanwhile, other Dallas establishments are vowing to keep the doors open. In a post announcing its brand new “Homewood at home” take-out meals, Matt McCallister’s Homewood said that the dining room would remain “open as long as we are able” for patrons who insist on dining-in.
Eater will be continuously updating this post as more closures happen. Stay tuned for more updates, and be safe out there.
