NOTE: The following article was published in February 2022.
After months of limiting their operations to delivery, takeout, and outdoor seating, it's mostly dining-as-usual now at California restaurants. But even though diners are breaking bread and rejoicing with friends at their favorite local bistros, restaurant owners and employees are still digging out from pandemic-related challenges, especially the current labor shortage.
"Even with the easing of some restrictions, the restaurant industry is struggling," says Sharokina Shams, vice president of public affairs at the California Restaurant Association. "One of the biggest challenges is getting fully staffed. [During the pandemic], many employees left the restaurant business altogether. Some employees were laid off more than once, and of course they got tired of it. Some of them went on to look for more stable employment." Because of these difficult circumstances, Shams goes on to note that California restaurants "would greatly appreciate a little kindness and patience in the coming months.”
A lot of restaurants are also still facing huge financial losses incurred during the pandemic, says Laurie Thomas, executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, a nonprofit trade association for San Francisco Bay Area restaurants.
"The recovery is a gradual process, not an overnight process. We can't just assume that it's going to go from zero to 100. Restaurants are still playing catch-up."
Restaurant owners are doing everything they can to welcome customers back, but for the next few months, diners should manage their expectations.
"You might find that it takes a little bit longer for your meal to come to the table” Shams says. “You might find that it's a little bit harder to get a table at the best restaurants in your town or the community you're visiting. You may need to make reservations much farther in advance. It's going to take a little bit of working out the kinks and walking before we can run."
You can help California restaurants recover from the pandemic, and ensure a great dining experience, by following these tips:
Reserve a table: It might seem like a no-brainer but booking in advance makes it easier for restaurants to plan for how many diners they'll be serving each day, and how many staff members need to be on duty.
Decide on seating before you arrive: Perhaps you don't yet feel comfortable sitting inside a restaurant, or you don't want to sit at a communal table, or you think it might be too chilly to eat outside. Let the restaurant know your seating preference before you arrive—and make sure everyone in your party is in agreement. If you're reserving a table online and the system doesn't let you specify your seating, call the restaurant and tell them your preference.
Don't be a no-show: Restaurants don't mind cancellations, but they detest no-shows. If you reserve a table and your plans change, go online and cancel your spot, or phone the restaurant so they can fill your table with walk-in customers. If you forget to cancel and don't show, they'll keep holding your table, which costs them money.
Tip generously: Don't forget that the people who are serving you lunch may have been out of work for over a year. Tips are always critical for restaurant workers, but now they mean even more.
Before traveling, familiarize yourself with local guidelines and regulations for all of the destinations you plan to visit.
