Olympia restaurants improvise to stay open while state’s COVID-19 limits are in place
With dining out a thing of the past (for now), some South Sound restaurants are experimenting with delivery.
On Tuesday, Dockside Bistro launched a new takeout and delivery menu, and The Lucky Lunchbox in Tumwater, which previously delivered large orders for meetings and the like, began offering free delivery for all orders and free kids’ meals with a sandwich purchase.
Both restaurants will offer curbside pickup as well as delivery, and at Dockside, the window onto the boardwalk — a holdover from the restaurant’s past as a deli and ice-cream shop — will be in use once again.
Dockside announced the switch from dine-in to to-go orders on Sunday afternoon, a few hours before Gov. Jay Inslee announced the temporary shutdown of restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreation facilities to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“I followed a lot of what was going on in China and Italy,” Dockside chef/co-owner Laurie Nguyen told The Olympian. “I saw what was coming here. I started working on it a week and a half ago, and I told the staff on Saturday that we needed to close down and start doing delivery and takeout only.”
Nguyen’s new menu is casual, with burgers, ribs and a salmon BLT, though fans of the restaurant will recognize the Humboldt Fog goat cheese salad, a favorite from the dinner menu.
“I was trying to tailor the food for takeout and to be family friendly,” Nguyen said. “We can’t deliver a fine-dining experience. My evening menu is not meant to be reheated.”
The new menu will serve another purpose in the future, she said. Dockside, which has served dinner only for the past several years, will reopen for lunch.
“Most of these items on the crisis menu are likely going to be on the lunch menu,” she said.
At The Lucky Lunchbox, no menu changes were needed, said co-owner Jim Butigan.
The Wildwood eatery will continue to offer hot and cold sandwiches, main-dish and side salads and soups — including the house special, tomato-Cheddar bisque.
“Things have only been getting tighter and more restrictive, and we might have to modify down the road,” he told The Olympian.
On Tuesday, customers were coming and going, picking up the to-go orders they’d made by phone or through the restaurant’s new online ordering service.
Also new at the Lunchbox: free kids’ meals (a small sandwich, chips, cookie and juice or water) with the purchase of a regular sandwich.
“We know that there are a lot of parents who rely on the schools to make their kids’ meals,” he said. “That’s one of those things people are going to need right now.”
Butigan and his wife, Nicole Butigan, also own Swing Wine Bar & Café, which is closed for now.
“The Lunchbox is a really small operation,” he said. “It is maybe something where we can keep a few employees working. Swing is a much bigger operation.
“It’s a very uncertain time,” he added. “We’re optimistic that this will pass and we will be able to reopen Swing.”
Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar
- What: The bistro is offering a menu of casual cuisine for takeout and delivery, which COVID-19 restrictions are in place.
- On the menu: Lemongrass chicken or pork skewers with grilled vegetables and rice ($18); half-pound Angus beef burger with salad or pommes frites ($15)
- When: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays
- Where: 501 Columbia St. NW, Olympia
- Delivery charge: Free for orders of $50 or more, $10 for orders under $50
- Details: You can order by calling the restaurant, emailing docksidebistro@msn.com or texting 360-584-4226. Pickup is available in the restaurant and through the takeout window that opens onto the boardwalk. Payments must be made by credit card over the phone.
- More information: docksidebistro.com, 360-956-1928
The Lucky Lunchbox
- What: The sandwich shop is now offering free delivery and free kids’ meals with the purchase of a sandwich or main-dish salad.
- On the menu: Turkey truffle sandwich or salad ($10); beef brisket sandwich or salad ($10)
- When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays with delivery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: 2826 Capitol Blvd. S., Olympia
- Delivery charge: Free
- Details: You can order online or by phone. Pickup is available in the shop and in the parking lot.
- More information: luckylunchbox.com, 360-529-8164
Tell us about other eateries making it work
Is your favorite restaurant still cooking? Where are you getting takeout or delivery? Share dining news with The Olympian at news@theolympian.com.