Some Houston area restaurants are still closed, others are accepting only to-go orders and a few are now filling their dining rooms to 50% of capacity. Your go-to neighborhood restaurant may not make it through the summer. Anna Tauzin is the Chief Revenue and Innovation Officer for Texas Restaurant Association and predicts 1 in 3 of Houston restaurants won't make it. "We are shaped by restaurants where memories are made. It's such a cultural touchstone - especially in Houston. It's really heartbreaking "
Tauzin says Houston area communities are trying to keep their favorites going by buying gift cards and making big to-go orders to send to service groups.
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Tauzin has a grim prediction. "Actually we do hear and think that 25% to 30% of our Houston independent restaurants will not survive the pandemic. As the summer wears on if things to pick up ...then they will be out." She is heartened, though by neighborhoods coming together to give business to their local favorites and participating in the Comfort Food Care Package program.