“Blue Plate Special”

At 12:30 p.m. on this Thursday, March 19, 2020, I walked the streets of Downtown Petoskey and visited every restaurant and bar. In my romantic notions of better times, I remembered “Blue Plate Specials” at my favorite greasy spoons. The food was fresh, hot, and full of comfort. So, I walked today to see how places were faring in this time of closure and social distancing.

I walked by Duffy’s, closed.

Into Roast & Toast and there was Mary Keedy smiling and in her red apron. “I’m cleaning the basement,” she notes. They are offering their normal menu as take-out from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can have no more than 5 people in the shop at one time. Red tape is obvious on the floor to mark-off the required 6 feet of separation. “We’re still roasting coffee and baking bread. Oh, and we’re getting mail orders for our coffee.” What’s more special is that the WIneguys (Roast & Toast, City Park Grill, and Palette Bistro) are providing staff meals for pick up.

Down the street, and Beards Brewery is open for take-out only with curbside delivery.

Jose’s is open from 12 to 3 or 4 and offering take-out only.

Flour Girl Pizza is closed.

Up at the Grain Train Co-op, it’s business as usual at the food line except, “It’s all packaged, now,” says Joe behind the line.

Next door at Mighty Fine Pizza where they only do take-out and delivery, owner, Errol, dons an apron and says they’re not as busy as he thought. They are open from 11 to 8ish. “We’re being extra clean. Using gloves as we make everything as usual.”

Up Mitchell to the Grain Train Fresh Market, and they’re closed.

The Pour is closed as is Tap 30 and the Backlot. Julienne Tomatoes is closed. Mitchell Street Pub has take-out orders, and Leo’s is closed. Across the street, the Thai Orchid is closed, and next-door Jimmy John’s is open, but deliveries are “way down.”

Through the side alley and over to City Park Grille where Joe Keedy stands ready at the bar for take-out orders from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. They have their regular lunch and dinner selections plus one special of the day.

Across Pennsylvania Park to Murdicks, and they’re closed. Next door at the Parkside Deli, they have take-out from 10 – 3, Monday through Friday.

Over to Kilwin’s and Meredith is open from 9:30 to 5 p.m. They’re only serving ice cream in dishes. No cones.

Down Howard, I stroll by High Five Spirits to see their sign: “Retail Sales on Saturday.”

North Perk Coffee is open for take-out only, and as everyone else, limiting the store to 5 people or less and with distances of 6 feet.

Symons General Store is having a “busier than usual” time with sandwiches and specials. Below the store and across the patio, Chandler’s A Restaurant is open only for take-out and only one customer at a time to pick-up. Their hours are 11 to 8 p.m. with a special menu. Weekend Brunch items will be available on Saturday and Sunday, but instead of opening at 8 a.m., they’ll open at 11 a.m.

Unmentioned but vital, everyone doing take-out offers curbside delivery.

Populace is open for take-out, now, but will be closing indefinitely on Saturday.

And finally, around the corner on Bay Street, Palette Bistro is closed. Actually, they were closing anyways to replace some flooring.

On this day of looming storms, the bay is quiet with the slightest of breezes. Some people walk the parks and stroll the streets, but few and far between. I wonder how long the eateries can hold-out with such a drastic cut in revenue. I wonder how the staff are faring. Hope is on the horizon with the Federal government churning away at a recovery package, so we’ll see. Life carries on as best as it can, but for now, home is the new Blue Plate Special.