Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.
The Dining Duo is overjoyed now that the restaurants have opened up. There are several reasons for this celebration. First, we get to dine out once again. Second, we don’t have to wrack our brains and to come up with some stupid subject for our column. Last, but not least, when we stay at home, we usually dream up some crazy plan and Nancy winds up in a cast or some sort of body brace.
Today’s article will be a collection of our recent dining experiences and the resulting changes in a post-Covid-19 world. After one of my many doctor visits, Jim and I decided to dine in at Yu’s Mandarin in Schaumburg. Tables were socially distanced. The menu remained the same on paper. Upon ordering, we were informed they weren’t serving salad with their lunch specials, just soup. Was lettuce wiped out by the Covid-19 virus?
After Nancy’s next doctor appointment, we decided to go to the Texas Roadhouse in Crystal Lake. We sat in their screened in bar area and they hit the mark with the CDC rules. No menus, you have to scan a QR code with your phone to read the menu. You could also pay your bill that way or the usual way, your choice. They had a complete menu and didn’t exclude any side dishes that came with the meals. Kudos to them.
I love salad, as you all probably know. Jim took me to the Bulldog Ale House in Algonquin for one of my favorites after another doctor appointment. We sat socially distanced outside on their patio under a big umbrella. While looking at the menu, we noticed several items were crossed out. In particular, two of their four desserts were unavailable (more on that later). When I received my salad, there was no garlic bread which usually accompanies it. The waitress said due to the Covid-19, they don’t have any. Serioiusly? No bread?
I am on the Bulldog birthday/email list and received a coupon stating if you buy an entree, you get a free dessert. I ordered one of the two desserts listed on the menu. When I took out my phone to show the waitress my email, she said, “Oh, we don’t have desserts at this location.” Why were they on the menu, hmmm…When the bill arrived, even though we both ordered their $8 Lunch Specials, Jim’s was $8 but mine was the full menu price of $10. After protesting (peacefully), the waitress changed the bill. Must have been another Covid-19 mistake.
After what was hopefully to be Nancy’s last orthopedic appointment, we stopped in at Granite City Brewery in Schaumburg. We were pleasantly surprised on the service and food that was Pre-Covid-19 quality. We even had a full menu to choose from with no exceptions, and we actually took home a doggie bag!
While we do realize that restaurants have been through very difficult times recently, that shouldn’t give them license to eliminate items or try to take advantage of people and blame it on Covid-19. One good example is Shaw’s Crab House in Schaumburg. I wanted to take Jim there for his favorite Lobster Roll since he nursed me back to health, once again. We now check the menu online before we go to any restaurant to make sure they have a full menu. Reading the fine print, here is what we found. “To help offset restrictions on our business resulting from the Covid-19 crisis, a 4% surcharge has been added to all guests checks. If you would like this removed, please let us know.” I guess no other restaurant was affected by Covid-19. We refused to go because of this.
It’s a brand new world out there, buyer beware!
Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at thediningduo@gmail.com.
