From counter to curb: Ashton restaurant embraces new way to keep its customers fed

ASHTON – Sprinkles of rain pelted Lirim Mimini's apron and work shirt as he tried something new at lunchtime today at his restaurant, where all the chairs were upended on tables usually full of diners.

Standing at the curb on downtown Main Street, Mimini put a bag with a to-go boxed lunch on the passenger seat of the car that pulled up.

Curbside delivery: It's a new concept, but it's today's reality for many restaurant owners – and something that never crossed the mind of the Huddle Cafe owner when he opened up more than 20 years ago.

Life is different for restaurants across Illinois, which were forced to close dine-in service Tuesday by order of Gov. J.B. Pritzker in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

"Just like everyone else, we're also saddened by what's going on," Mimini said. "I don't disagree with all of the measures being taken, but we are the ones that are hurt the most."

The number of carryout customers pales in comparison to dine-in patrons at most restaurants that have seating, and not all of their regulars are taking advantage of the curbside service, said Mimini, who's cut his hours from 13 to 8, 7 days a week.

it's a double whammy for his workers: Not many carryout folks make tips, either, he said.

The Huddle is taking orders– and prefers payment – over the phone, so as to limit person-to-person contact.

Still, he's gone through 15 boxes of gloves with the new setup. Tuesday's was brisk, with phones ringing and only a small staff to cook and take orders outside.

Jason Anderson wanted to help. Anderson, Rochelle's economic development director, drives through Ashton on his way to work and eats at Huddle once a week. With the ripple effects of the virus now hurting people he's gotten to know as friends, he chipped in.

Anderson took bags of to-go boxes flung through the kitchen opening from Lirim's wife, Lina, and made several trips back and forth. Those who paid with cash put it envelopes to help prevent contact.

"People were very gracious," he said. "They didn't want change. It was so funny to see people's faces thinking, 'Gosh, we're so glad you're doing this.'"

Mimini is facing the crisis on two fronts. He also owns Mimini's General Store on the east end of the village. Hand sanitizers, toilet paper and other staples sold more rapidly than usual, but he has found multiple distributors to help prevent his shelves from going bare.

He's got plenty of toilet paper. He's got so much that, starting today, he will give customers a free roll with the purchase of two meals in a single visit.

What started as a joke now is meant to be serious, Mimini said.

"They might laugh at us, but you know what, it's something free that they get," he said. "It's not to make fun, but to be optimistic and to be positive. Not meant for satire.

"We're not doing it to poke fun of anyone, we're doing it to poke fun of coronavirus."

March 31 is the tentative date for the resuming of full operations of restaurants.

"We have very, very good customers," Mimini said. "They give us all kinds of encouraging words, and a lot of them feel sorry for us, but we also feel sorry for them, not coming in and enjoying the meal."

Anderson admires the Huddle staff's work ethic, doesn't want to see tit close.

"I like hanging around these people; nothing deters them," he said. "They're doing a great job and I want to do everything I can to help them out and keep it going."