Local Restaurants Planning First Super Bowl Weekend Under COVID-19 Restrictions
/Since the Ontario Government lifted restrictions for in-house dining on Jan. 17 at half capacity, local restaurant owners are excited to be open for Super Bowl Sunday weekend.
This is the first Super Bowl that Ontario will have in-house dining under COVID-19 restrictions. Last year, restaurants were only available for take-out and delivery. In 2019, they operated at full capacity, one month before the province went into lockdown. In spite of the restrictions, restaurants have made more food orders — especially chicken wings and beer — in preparation for the event.
Maple Moose Pub opened last year and will host its first Super Bowl weekend in Peterborough. Angie Poucher, general manager says despite the restrictions, the exciting atmosphere for restaurants will be present.
"It's definitely going to be more exciting. A big difference between watching the Super Bowl at home with your friends and being in a bar is the dynamic," said Poucher. "You almost get that energy like you're at the game. Like you're in the stadium because it's loud. Every TV will be on the Super Bowl and it will be cranked."
Other restaurants that have been in Peterborough for several years are thankful to be open for dine-in regardless of the restrictions.
"It's an amazing feeling (to be open) with what we've been through,” said Franz Roessl, One-Eighty owner. "It's good to see people back and definitely here to celebrate the Super Bowl. It’s nice to see people come through the doors again."
"It's nice to get back to normality, I think that's a huge thing on everyone's radar," said Addison Brown, Dr. J's BBQ & Brews owner. "To be able to have people in here, separated with their friends, having drinks, watching great football and enjoying barbeque, nothing goes better than football, barbeque and beers."
However, the restrictions have created challenges and obstacles for some owners. Staffing, omitted features and short-notice planning were examples some owners had to face.
"With the limited tables, I only need so many servers and the bad side of this is a lot of servers haven't been brought back just because there's not a ton of work for them right now," said Roessl. “Once these restrictions open up a bit, it'll help us out.”
One Eighty is not doing their annual outdoor pig roast as a result of the half-capacity seating.
