With families being asked to stay home for the holidays, community members are seeking new ways to have a traditional meal and this year some San Luis Obispo restaurants are switching gears to provide a seasonal take out.
SLO Provisions is providing a few options for holiday takeout customers this year.
"(Customers) can order one item or they can order a whole meal, we have it from 2-4 people or 6-8 people," Slo Provisions Owner Steve Bland said.
With many staying at home this year, Bland says customers have been ordering smaller portions, but total orders are going up.
"So many people are not going away plus they don’t have people coming in this year, their families are not coming to travel, nobody wants to travel so on both directions (gatherings are) smaller," he said.
Luna Red in downtown San Luis Obispo has also been accepting Christmas Eve dinner pre-orders.
According to Luna Red Marketing Director Isabella Curtoni, they have already seen orders coming in.
“We love the support and we always have enjoyed feeding the people so it’s nice to be able to continue that," she said.
Luna Red will be offering their flagship paella in a Christmas Eve bundle and they are accepting orders all the way up until Christmas Eve.
With many small businesses looking to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, restaurant owners and staff say being able to provide meals for their customers has been rewarding in difficult times.
“Communication, reciprocation and love... it’s why we have always done it but especially during this time, we really see this outpouring of support which we wouldn’t be here without, so we are really thankful for that,” Curtoni said.
Granada Hotel & Bistro will also be offering a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day family-style takeout option. Orders must be placed one day in advance and can either be ordered online or reserved by phone.
Big Sky Cafe will have Christmas gift basket bundles available for purchase with their house made chickpeas, olives, wine and peppered pecans.
Looking ahead to New Years, SLO Provisions will also be providing a New Year's dinner package called "A Party in a Box" that will include dinner for two, with dessert, a bottle of sparkling wine and party favors. You can visit their website to place an order.
