Those decisions mirrored a statewide trend: An Ohio Restaurant Association survey of member restaurants last week showed that 54 percent of respondents planned to reopen their dining rooms on day one on May 21, but a significant minority of 28 percent of respondents said they would wait until a bit later, after the Memorial Day weekend, to start serving again. The remaining 18 percent of responding restaurants indicated they were going to hold off for a while longer or have not made up their mind when they would reopen.
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Here are a few of the restaurants and pubs in the Dayton area that have announced they will reopen Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, May 26-28. This is by no means a comprehensive list; if you have a favorite dining destination or watering hole, check their web site or social media, or give them a call, to find out what their intentions and timeline are to reopen safely.
-- Both Archer's Tavern locations, in Kettering and Centerville, and the Stone House Tavern in Waynesville, which share ownership, are poised to reopen Tuesday, May 26. Some of the safety precautions diners will bee include single-use disposable menus, silverware wrapped in individual bags, hand sanitizer dispensers in the dining rooms, responsible social distancing of tables and seating areas, continued online curbside carryout, daily team member health checks and texting system to alert guests waiting in their cars that tables are ready, the pubs' owners said on Facebook. "Team members will be wearing face masks. Guests will be free to wear a mask or free to not wear a mask," owners said.
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-- Local Cantina Webster Station in downtown Dayton will open Tuesday, May 26 as well. "Join us for a socially distant experience," the restaurant's owners said on Facebook. "We're opening for interior dine in service Tuesday, May 26."
-- Mudlick Taphouse in downtown Dayton will open Tuesday, May 26 and will initially be using a reservations system for diners. "It's been a long couple of months! We have covered a lot of ground in that time as we have ebbed and flowed to adapt to the current situation," co-owner Jennifer Dean wrote on Facebook. "However, the time has come that we are confident and ready to get back to the grind and see your faces! While there is still much uncertainty with respect to the impacts of Covid-19, the safety and well-being of our guests and employees remain our top priority. Due to the current environment, we have updated our policies regarding reservations and will be taking a reservation-only dining policy approach beginning May 26 to ensure not only safety but also a top-notch dining experience. We will be continually evaluating this complex and fluid situation. Upon reopening, we may be limited in capacity and subject to restricted availability based on direction from our Public Health Department and government officials to promote physical distancing."
-- Buffalo Wild Wings will reopen all 12 of its Dayton-area locations on Wednesday, May 27 "in consultation with federal, state and local guidelines to once again provide legendary experiences between friends within its four walls," a spokeswoman for the restaurant chain said in an email. "The following operations, safety and sanitation steps will be taken upon reopening to ensure the safety and well-being of Buffalo Wild Wings guests and team members: All high-touch point areas will be cleaned with increased frequency; Tables and chairs in the dining room and bar areas have been removed or specific tables/sections will not be in use to allow for a six-foot minimum of distance between guests; Single-use, disposable menus and condiments will be provided to all guests; Single-use cutlery and beverage cups will be provided to all guests upon request; Wellness checks will be conducted upon team members' arrival for their shifts. Buffalo Wild Wings will continue to serve guests via delivery and takeout through the Buffalo Wild Wings app or BuffaloWildWings.com. BOGO Wing Tuesdays and BOGO Boneless Thursday deals will be offered via dine-in, takeout and delivery."
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-- Carmel's Restaurant on Dayton's southern border with Oakwood will reopen both its newly renovated patio AND its dining room on Wednesday, May 27, with safety precautions and social-distancing measures in place.
-- Jimmie's Ladder 11 is poised to reopen on Thursday, May 28. "While we look forward to welcoming you back, we are busy preparing for social-distance dining," its owners said on Facebook. The restaurant is still offering curbside pickup.
-- Roost Modern Italian will reopen on Thursday, May 28. "Mark your calendars!" the restaurant said on its Facebook page. "We can't wait to start serving our beautiful food on real plates again. The wait is almost over! ... Reservations will be opening soon. Stay tuned for those details."
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