CLEVELAND — The support of loyal patrons placing curbside or to-go orders is a huge help in keeping many local restaurants afloat right now.
One of those restaurants is paying that support forward by feeding those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic — our first responders and health care workers.
For the last year and a half, Brian Gresham and his team at True Cocktails & Bites in the Flats have been serving up those delicacies for their customers.
“We do wings, we do lobster bites, we do lamb lollipops. We do firecracker shrimp, which is a staple of ours,” Gresham said. “We have some of the finest cuisine in the city.”
But like many other restaurants in Cleveland and beyond, the coronavirus pandemic has hit them hard.
“I have barmaids. I have kitchen help and things of that nature that I had to, I had to lay off,” Gresham said.
Gresham says those struggles have been tough to get through, but he’s grateful for his patrons who have been placing to-go and curbside orders.
“They've been good, good to us," Gresham said.
But he knows that while small business owners need support, there are others who need it too. So he’s offering free curbside or to-go meals for all on-duty first responders and health care workers.
“If you're watching the news every day, if you're watching Channel 5, or you're watching any of the news affiliates, you understand that they are the closest to this virus and and we need to show our appreciation.”
There are two options: a 10-piece wing meal or an Impossible Burger. Both come with fries.
“We’ll bring it right out to them," Gresham said.
Right now, the free meals are being offered until April 6, but Gresham said it will probably be extended to April 30.
“If we have to extend it, we will because like i say these these first responders are, are putting their life on the line and people need to recognize and realize that,” Gresham said.
Customers can order take-out or curbside by calling True Cocktails & Bites at 216-577-2225.
Jade Jarvis is a reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
