CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- Daniel Trujillo, manager at Dos Margaritas said Cinco de Mayo is usually a bustling day at both of their Clarksville locations, but this year they anticipate lower sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state orders mandating restaurants to allow only 50 percent of the building’s capacity for dine-in.
“Cinco de mayo is our biggest day of the year, but everyone is still sheltering at home. We know for a fact we won’t have all the customers we had last year,” Trujillo said. “We are still offering carryout for margaritas and drinks until the end of May. … We are hoping to get business, because its kind of rough right now.”
This Cinco de Mayo most Mexican restaurant managers said patrons can expect a wait if they chose to dine in. Last week, Governor Lee passed an order allowing restaurants to begin opening as early as Monday, April 27, but their capacity could only be at 50 percent of their capacity to allow social distancing.
Many restaurants have reopened and taken extra steps to try and slow the spread of COVID-19 such as sanitizing and disinfecting commonly used items such as chair, high chairs, tables, condiment containers and doing so more frequently. They have also upgraded kitchen and bathroom sanitizing and disinfecting practices and required staff to follow CDC guidelines.
Most of the restaurants are still offering carry-out, curbside and some delivery options.
Trujillo said Dos Margaritas will offer carryout, curbside and limited dine-in options on Tuesday, May 5. Alcoholic beverages are also available for carry-out.
“We are doing more to-go orders than anything,” Trujillo said. “People are picking up their meal and drinks and the drinks have accounted for many of our sales. We’ve had a couple of tables of people who want to come inside, but most don’t want to take the risk of getting sick…. We know for sure Cinco de Mayo won’t be what it was last year or what it used to be.”
Dos Margarita’s staff are required to wear masks and gloves and management recommends customers who dine-in to wear masks. Hand sanitizer is also provided and staff has been diligently cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces a customer touches.
“We are following all the guidelines and state requirements to keep our customers safe,” Trujillo said.
Guacamole’s Mexican restaurant is one local restaurant that has aired on the side of caution and not reopened their doors to diners despite restaurants getting the green light to do so.
They have plans to have a safe Cinco de Mayo and will be offering carryout food and alcoholic beverage options on Tuesday, May 5.
Cinco de Mayo, holiday celebrated in parts of Mexico and the United States in honor of a military victory in 1862 over the French forces of Napoleon III. It should not be confused with Mexican Independence Day, which falls on September 16 and was established in 1810.
Here are what some Mexican restaurants in Clarksville have planned for Tuesday, Cinco de Mayo (5/5/2020):
- Casablanca’s Mexican Restaurant is located at 700 N Riverside Dr. and 2121 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They will offer dine-in at 50 percent capacity and anyone wanting to dine in will have to wait outside if the restaurants is at capacity. They will offer their regular menu and will be taking carry-out to go orders and curbside service. Customers can also order alcoholic beverages to go. They anticipate many to-go orders and said customers should plan accordingly.
- Dos Margaritas, located at 1273 Northfield Dr. and 1923 Madison street, will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. They will be offering carryout, dine-in and curbside services for meals and alcoholic beverages.
- El Braceros located at 3856 Trenton Rd, Clarksville, will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. They will be offering dine-in, carryout and curbside, and anticipate longer than normal wait times and ask patrons to plan accordingly. Meals and alcoholic drinks will be available for carryout and curbside.
- Guacamoles located at 1490 Tiny Town Road will be open from 2 p.m .to 9 p.m. They will only be offering carryout and curbside options for meals and alcoholic beverages. There will be no dine-in option.
- La Casa Taquiera, located at 76 Dover Crossing Rd. will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. They remain closed for dine-in, but will be offering carry-out and to-go orders.
- El Toro de Don Jose, located at 1200 Fort Campbell Blvd., announced on April 29, they would remain closed for a few more weeks for the safety of their customers, staff and families.
- Los Hermanos located at 1302 Fort Campbell Boulevard, is open during Cinco de Mayo. Carryout orders can be placed by calling 931-218-2265.