Restaurant Row in Elmwood Park is a dining hub, and food lovers typically flock to their popular sidewalk patios as the weather warms. Statewide stay-at-home orders may have changed plans but have not dampened the fighting spirit among owners on Restaurant Row.
During these challenging times, it has become all the more important to support the vibrant collection of eateries situated on North Avenue. Thankfully, your favorite Restaurant Row establishments have cooked up strategies and deals to get through the coronavirus crisis.
“If you enjoy our restaurants and want us to be around when the dust settles, you have to support us now or we’re not going to make it,” said Donny Greco of Donny G’s, located at 7308 W. North Ave.
Greco pointed out Donny G’s is doing a quarter of their regular business but can stay afloat thanks to breaks in restaurant licensing fees authorized by Village President Skip Saviano. Additionally, Greco’s landlord was amenable to adjusting the rent on his restaurant property and helped connect him to large-scale catering orders through Catholic Charities.
Greco is committed to paying that goodwill forward by offering a Spring into Recovery promo giving patrons a 20% discount on all carry-out orders through the end of April. He is also encouraging customers to help him give back to front-line medical workers. Customers purchasing two $50 gift cards and opting to donate one or both to feed doctors and nurses will receive a $20 gift card free at Donny G’s. Greco will deliver accumulated gift cards for distribution at local hospital.
“Health-care workers are making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good,” said Greco. “I want to reward them with a night out at Donny G’s when our dining room is open again.”
Burger Moovment, located at 7512 W. North Ave., has been dedicated to building a better burger for nine years. Though it hasn’t been easy, the fast-casual joint has remained open to sate cravings during quarantine.
“It’s been extremely difficult, but I think we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Burger Moovment owner, Anthony Gambino. “Order directly from the restaurant whenever possible, so we aren’t forced to pay service fees to the delivery companies.”
In addition to offering their Classic Moov, named among the top 20 suburban burgers by the Chicago Tribune, and their perennially popular Elmwood Park-inspired burger for carry-out and delivery, Burger Moovment is offering a Jucy Lucy as their signature April burger. Gambino encourages fans to purchase restaurant gift cards and merchandise to show support.
Gringo and Blondie, located at 7514 W. North Ave., has a family meal deal to make the most of meals at home. Ten tacos in assorted varieties, a cheese quesadilla, chips and guac, rice and beans and churros will feed a family of 4-6 for under $60 dollars. A similar deal is attracting diners at Massa Café Italiano, featuring pasta, pizza, salad and fried dough. Customers can add a pint of homemade vanilla or chocolate ice cream or gelato for just $5 at either location.
Reach out to Restaurant Row to show your support for the dynamic array of restaurants working to stay open another day.
Photos by Melissa Elsmo
