RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

To say that 2020 was a year like no other would be an understatement—just ask our restaurants. With shutdowns, shelters-in-place, reopenings, and reclosings, 2020 saw Butte County restaurants of all sizes working overtime to keep up, stay open, and serve everyone wanting a good meal. While some had to shut their doors for good, many more discovered new ways to make the best out of an uncertain situation.

TAKEOUT, TAKEOUT, TAKEOUT

Across the county, restaurants upped their takeout offerings. Many, such as Chico’s Tender Loving Coffee, Pizza Riot, and Italian Cottage and Oroville’s Early Bird Donuts, launched online ordering or delivery options for contactless dining, while drinks-to-go in reusable mason jars meant that you could enjoy your favorite margaritas from Tres Hombres or the featured draft at The Lab Bar and Grill. Cities jumped in to help as well, creating dedicated curbside parking spaces for easy pickup for the explosion in to-go options.

Al Fresco Dining

Those still wanting a safe dine-at restaurant experience delighted at the increase in outdoor dining options. Remodels and openings meant new permanent patio spaces at Rawbar Restaurant & Sushi and Oroville’s new Union Restaurant, while others, like Red Tavern in Chico, expanded their outdoor dining spaces. And many of those without the space or resource for permanent solutions took advantage of new regulations to allow for dining in the street. “Parklets” created with barricades in former parking spaces sprung up throughout Chico, such as at Momona and Naked Lounge, while other restaurants, such as Franky’s, Basque Norte, and Durham’s Almendra Winery & Distillery set up service in their parking lots.

FAMILY MEALS & MORE

With all the time spent at home in 2020, feeding the family got a little tedious, so restaurants, such as Bacio, Crush, and Paradise’s Nic’s stepped up with tasty family meals. Those wanting to do the cooking themselves but still support their local restaurants found deals at 5th Street Steakhouse, which selling cuts of meat. For food fun and activities all in one, Shubert’s Ice Cream & Candy and Sweet Chico Confections offered DIY sweet treat kits for kids (and kids-at-heart) to enjoy at home. After the year that was 2020, no matter how the situation changes throughout 2021, Butte County restaurants will be ready to serve you, and they can’t wait to open their doors to welcome you for indoor dining again.