TEQUESTA, Fla. — The coronavirus outbreak has forced many restaurants to cut staff and reinvent their business models overnight, just like Evo Italian in Tequesta.
"This is the middle of season, and typically we would have 175 people coming in for dinner. We're lucky if we're going to do 25 to-go orders," said Evo Italian's chef and owner Erik Pettersen. "My business is changing every day."
"I'm a takeout girl instead of an actual server," said Davis.
Evo Italian in Tequesta has started "Touch Free Takeout and Texts."
"People are pulling up, we are bringing it out to their cars so they don’t even come in and interact with anyone," said Davis.
The employees are wearing masks as they prepare food, gloves as they sanitize and then texting customers pictures of their food as its made.
"I've never had to do [wear a mask] before [while cooking] so it's the first time for everything," said Pettersen. "But actually, it makes me feel a little safer."
Pettersen said he hopes the extra precautions add an extra "ummmmmp."
"We're all in this together," said Pettersen.
The touch free service is available daily from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. You can place your order online by calling (561) 745-2444 or by placing an order with your favorite delivery provider. Evo is also packing up beer, wine and cocktails for takeout.
Additionally, the restaurant has set up a donation page to help out employees who rely on tips.