Cuomo: Chips do not meet food requirement for restaurants

Social-distancing measures are in place for outdoor seating at Hoak's Restaurant. June 4, 2020 (WBEN Photo/Mike Baggerman)
Photo credit Social-distancing measures are in place for outdoor seating at Hoak's Restaurant. June 4, 2020 (WBEN Photo/Mike Baggerman)

Albany, NY (WBEN) - New York bars and restaurants that have introduced a 'Dollar Menu' to comply with the new State order that food must accompany any alcoholic beverage may have to re-think their offerings.

Governor Cuomo  and the State Liquor Authority on Wednesday issued more guidance on the new law that states food served with a drink must be "substantial," and chips to not fit that description.

"As a restaurant or bar owner, in determining whether a particular item is substantial enough, please keep in mind the purpose of this policy: to ensure that patrons are enjoying a sit-down dining experience among a small group with drinks, and not a drinking, bar-type experience," read the new guidance from the SLA.

Last week, a bar in Saratoga, NY gained viral fame by offering $1.00 'Cuomo Chips' to satisfy the law. Many Western New York area bars offered similar low-cost items. Those items may no longer be allowed, though crackers are still listed in the order as an acceptable item.

The full guidelines can be seen here.

New guidance for NY bars and restaurants on food with alcohol. Slice of Pie-YesCookie-NoChips-NoCrackers-Maybe pic.twitter.com/NiNPRtrtkH

— Brian Mazurowski (@BMaz1) July 23, 2020