Restaurants take advantage of Easter holiday

The traditional image of family gathered together for Easter dinner in their own home might need a makeover. Bonfire Grill in Houghton held “brunch” Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM, and was swamped. The incredible volume of orders came through three channels. Dine-in reservations were sold out. Take out orders were handled as efficiently as possible, and there was a delivery option too. Over 350 people were served in total.

The restaurant created a special Easter menu with entrees ranging from honey-glazed ham to prime rib and salmon. Bottomless mimosas highlighted the drink options. Each meal came with butternut squash lasagna, roasted redskin potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, spinach quiche, and desserts. The hang up was the number of staff available to work. One of the pitfalls of operating on a holiday is being able to find workers who will punch in, even for a shortened shift.

Tadych’s Econofoods operated as normal, as did Walmart and many other national chain locations. It wasn’t just restaurants trying to take advantage of pandemic weary customers itching to get out and about. After being forced to slow down for nearly a year, not even one of the holiest days on the calendar stood a chance. That could be a hint to the economic potential later this year once vaccinations help contain COVID-19.