Texans who already miss drinking a cocktail at their favorite watering hole are in luck.
As restaurants across the state have been forced to suspend dine-in service this week to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a waiver Wednesday that allows them to deliver alcohol with a food purchase, including beer, wine and mixed drinks.
The move not only gets cocktails in the hands of thirsty Texans, but it is intended to help restaurants bear the financial hardships of being unable to offer dine-in service. The waiver went into effect immediately.
Restaurants in Texas can now deliver alcoholic beverages with food purchases to customers.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 19, 2020
In response to #coronavirus I waived some regulations that hindered that.
These next few weeks it’s important to support our restaurants. They’re a great source of food for Texans. pic.twitter.com/j9LFsDFceE
“The State of Texas is committed to supporting retailers, restaurants, and their employees,” Abbott said in a written statement. “These waivers will allow restaurants to provide enhanced delivery options to consumers during this temporary period of social distancing.”
Abbott also directed the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to waive regulations to allow alcohol distributors and manufacturers to buy back excess inventory from restaurants, bars and clubs.
On Thursday, Abbott said he would require restaurants statewide to end dine-in service — something that officials in Dallas and Tarrant counties had already ordered — but they may remain open for takeout or delivery. Bars and nightclubs also must close.
Ernie Quilantan, owner of E Bar Tex Mex in Old East Dallas, took advantage of the waiver immediately. On Wednesday night, patrons could order bottled beer or a margarita to be delivered as long as they ordered food.
Quilantan said he and other members of the Texas Restaurant Association have been anticipating the closure of restaurants for about a week. Without dine-in service allowed, Quilantan said his staff will be working rotating shifts, but he hopes this waiver will soften the financial blow his restaurant and many others will suffer.
“Selling food will help pay the bills, and the alcohol sales could help us be a little profitable,” he said.
Dearest Rapscallionites, Below is our curbside pick-up menu for tonight, Wednesday March the 18th. We will be open for...
Posted by Rapscallion on Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Many restaurants are already following suit. Rapscallion on Lower Greenville was selling wine for curbside pick-up with a food purchase Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, the restaurant noted those handling orders as well, as kitchen staff, would be wearing gloves.
Bradley Anderson — co-owner of Rapscallion, Boulevardier, Veritas Wine Room and Hillside Tavern in Dallas — told The Dallas Morning News this week that efforts like this may not be enough but that it’s “better than zero.”
