Blind Pig In RSM Gives Free Food To Community Amid Coronavirus

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Despite the restaurant industry's current struggle to stay in business during the coronavirus crisis, two area eateries, The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar in Yorba Linda and Rancho Santa Margarita and Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen in downtown Fullerton, are giving away free meals to the community.

The Blind Pig, akin to restaurants throughout California, turned to takeout and delivery to stay afloat during the coronavirus emergency. The response proved encouraging, so management added a way to "give back."

"We have been getting an overwhelming amount of support from locals who are buying our pre-prepped dinners, batched-out cocktails, and wine and beer bottles. It's been very helpful and generous, but generosity is a two-way street," said Blind Pig founder Tony Monaco. "And so we decided to do our part and help out the community until the schools open back up again by offering kids' meals."

Both Blind Pigs are handing out 50 free kids' boxed lunches each day, Mondays through Fridays, with a limit of three per household. Options are turkey and cheese or ham and cheese sandwiches, plus chips. Those interested must call the day before for next-day pick-up from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Blind Pig sites also are selling to-go meals from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. See takeout menu details here. In Rancho Santa Margarita, The Blind Pig is at 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy. (949-888-0072) and at 4975 Lakeview Ave in Yorba Linda (714-485-2593).

Khan Saab opened a mere two months ago, serving upscale Pakistani, Indian and Afghan cuisine. Chef Imran "Ali" Mookhi and his crew's vision was to make the Desi-concept restaurant an integral part of the community "by doing what we love - coming together around the table to eat."

The eatery, at 229 East Commonwealth Ave. in Fullerton, however, actually shut its doors this month hoping to ride out the in-house dining ban imposed to help stop COVID-19 spread. But after seeing a need to help support its community during these trying times, Khan Saab is launching its drive-thru giveaway.

"The restaurant doors might be temporarily closed for the time being," Mookhi said, "but we still want to share food with our neighbors, especially now."

Free hot meals, plus bags of rice and lentils, will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Patrons can pull into the parking garage attached to the restaurant, and a Khan Saab staff member will deliver the meals to the vehicles. The offer begins today, Friday, March 27.

Two weeks ago, the business hung a sign on its door offering free bags of rice and lentils, and more than 50 families responded, management said.

"That just goes to show the volume of people in our immediate community who need assistance during this challenging time," Mookhi said.

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