PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia is considered one of the best places to eat in America, and the best restaurants in town are open for business, sort of. It's outdoor only, and the limited seating is a problem for restaurants and customers.
A nearly 3-month hiatus meant things wouldn't just bounce back to normal overnight. Gautam Bazaz said people were partying all day in Rittenhouse Square, and as you might suspect, getting a table wasn't easy.
"I think everybody has been pent up for quite a long time," he speculated. "They're ready to go outside and ready to see their friends and just be out. So a lot of restaurants are just taking reservations on a first-come, first-serve basis."
One of Bazaz's favorite restaurants didn't have the full menu available because of supply issues, so he got a table the old-fashioned way.
"The system hasn't been updated just yet for online reservations, so they requested that people come to the front desk and make reservations in person," he said. "So changing our behavior a little bit just to adjust with technology and sort of the current situation. I'm sure it will stabilize and get back to normal in the next couple weeks."
Even though the tables are hot, restaurant owners told NBC10 Philadelphia they can't stay financially afloat on outdoor dining alone, with extremely limited seating capacity, without help.
"At this point, it doesn't help us stay open," said one owner. "It helps us get the word out that we are open. And as soon as we can go back to seating people then...yeah, as long as my landlord patiently waits until then."
Restaurants in New Jersey will be allowed to open Monday for outdoor dining only, though some businesses owners say they will allow people to eat inside. Gov. Phil Murphy promised to punish anyone who disobeys his orders.
