Coronavirus Restaurant Closure Order Prompts Menu Price Cuts

MOORESVILLE, NC — One day after Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all North Carolina restaurants and bars to close their dining rooms in an attempt to stem the spread of the new coronavirus, local businesses are adapting.

Cooper’s executive order, announced abruptly Tuesday morning, closed down all dine-in service as of 5 p.m. March 17, and stipulated that restaurant customers could still use takeout and delivery options. The move comes as the daily count of positive cases of coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, continue to grow in North Carolina. Wednesday morning, the state had 23 new cases, for a total of 63, state health officials said.

While necessary to help curb the spread of the virus, the new rule is expected to cause pain for some North Carolina workers. The new restaurant rule results in thousands of people suddenly finding themselves unemployed in the state’s $21 billion restaurant industry that employs more than 500,000, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Two Mooresville eateries said they are cutting prices and hopes to provide comfort to the community.

Alino Pizzeria and Barcelona Burger, located at Merino Mill at 500 S. Main Street in Mooresville, announced they have cut some menu prices up to 50 percent, effective immediately, and is now offering take-out and curbside pick-up.

“The restaurants’ full menus will be available for take-out and curbside service, with prices cut on the most popular items,” the restaurant company said.

“We’re doing this because we serve the community, and the community needs us right now,” the restaurants' owner, Michal Bay, said in a statement. “This is our small effort to help make good food accessible to everyone. We want to provide a little comfort during a challenging time.”

Here are the new prices, according to the restaurant company:
The Barcelona Burger and Beer Garden

• The Barcelona Classic - Certified Angus beef, American cheese, lettuce, pickle, tomato, onion, and house sauce. Regularly $9, now $5.
• The All American - Certified Angus beef, American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, tomato, lettuce, onion, house sauce. Regularly $10, now $5.
• All burgers come with one side. Sides include classic fries, sweet potato fries, truffle fries, baked mac and cheese, roasted veggies, onion rings, Barcelona side salad, or Barcelona chicken soup.

• Whole chicken with 3 sides – Regularly $19, now $10

Aliño Pizzeria

• Whole Margherita Pizza. Fresh buffalo mozzarella, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil, fresh garlic. Regularly $16, now $10.
• Whole Sorrento Pizza. Pepperoni, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, fresh garlic. Regularly $18, now $10.
• Whole Bianca Pizza. 4 Cheese: Fresh buffalo mozzarella, traditional mozzarella, artisan ricotta, Romano, fresh basil, fresh garlic (no sauce). Regularly $18, now $10.

Diners can place their orders through the restaurants’ websites, https://barcelonaburger.com and http://www.alinopizzeria.com . Diners may also place orders through our app, Door Dash, and Chow Now. To obtain the free apps, search The App Store for Alino Pizzeria or The Barcelona Burger. Or text BARCELONA2GO to 33733.

For curbside pick-up, call the restaurant when you arrive and staff will bring your order. Phone numbers are The Barcelona at 704-230-1753 and Aliño in Mooresville at 704-663-0010.

Know of other ways the Mooresville community is adapting to the COVID-19 outbreak? Send your news tips to kimberly.johnson@patch.com

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