Restaurant deals: Let’s join together for The Great American Takeout

It is time for The Great American Takeout. These restaurant deals and every food order are a purchase to support the restaurant industry.

While today is The Great American Takeout, placing an order of support is important throughout this current crisis. As many restaurant deals help make these ordering out options even better, it is more than just getting free delivery. Any and every food order is a message of support for the restaurant industry.

From national chains to local eateries, the restaurant industry finds itself in a perilous position. As the tables sit empty, everyone who depends on that restaurant is impacted. From the server who brings you your beer to the line cook who makes that tasty burger, it takes a village to make that restaurant run smoothly. Now it takes a village to keep that industry afloat.

Many businesses are doing what they can to help their staff. Food delivery, curb-side orders and takeout are available. Whether it is ordering your favorite meal, trying something new or even buying groceries to-go from some locations, every purchase is a show of support for the restaurant industry and the people who are part of it.

Today, March 24 is The Great American Takeout. The idea is simple. Make a purchase (if you are able) at any restaurant today and tag it #TheGreatAmericanTakeout or #GreatAmericanTakeout.

Russ Bendel, Habit Burger CEO states “This is no longer about the survival of individual restaurants. It’s about the future of our industry. And time has run out. Together, we must act to support each other and our communities in unprecedented ways.”

The following restaurants came together to create this concept.

"Veggie Grill, Chicken Salad Chick, Blaze Pizza, Upward Projects, Pacific Catch, Panera Bread, BJ’s Restaurants and Brewhouse, Noodles & Company, Outback, El Torito, Jason’s Deli, The Habit Burger Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, Lemonade, Modern Market, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, Tocaya Organica, Torchy’s Tacos, Chevys Fresh Mex, Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, Del Taco, Primanti Brothers, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, California Pizza Kitchen, Shari’s Restaurants, Beefsteak, Which Wich Superior Sandwiches, ZaLat Pizza, Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill, California Tortilla, Qdoba Mexican Eats, Curry Up Now, Urbane Café, Paris Baguette, IHOP, Applebee’s, Dickeys Barbecue Pit, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Coco’s Restaurant & Bakery, Carrow’s Restaurants, Black Bear Diner, Good Times Burgers, Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Miguel’s Restaurant & Miguel’s Jr., Wild Wing Cafe, Green Leaf Chop Shop, and CityRange Steakhouse Grill."

While these restaurants banded together on the concept of The Great American Takeout, any and every restaurant is part of this idea. Like the current crisis, everyone and anyone is in this together.

If you are looking to join The Great American Takeout, several restaurants have restaurant deals. This list is not comprehensive. It is just sampling of options.

Many local restaurant journalists have compiled more comprehensive lists of restaurants who are open. For example, Amy Drew Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel has a list of Central Florida restaurants. This list continues to be updated.

Grace Wong of the Chicago Tribune has a list of 1,100 Chicago area restaurants that are open for delivery, takeout and curbside option. Other local food writers are coming together to get the word out about restaurants and how people can continue to support them.

The Great American Takeout is supporting local, too.  For example, local restaurants like Limoncello in Palm Beach Gardens,  Barcello in North Palm Beach and Stage Kitchen are supporting the local restaurant Great American Takeout initiative.

Even the South Florida boating community is joining the takeout movement. Sands Harbor Resort & Marina offers curbside pick-up or by boat at the fuel dock. From their soft shell crab sandwich to the flavorful Bang Bag Ribs, there is a menu item that is tempting people to order.

Larger cities, like New York has restaurants and wine shops joining the cause. Playa Bowls is offering delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash. Nukkad is offering food delivery options. Even Amanti Vino (Wine Shop) has curbside pickup and delivery. Yes, wine pairings and food delivery make social distancing even better.

If you are willing to participate in The Great American Takeout, here are a few restaurant deals that are being offered. Also, if you know of another restaurant deal, please share your information in the comments or share it on socials using #FoodSided.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is offering free delivery on Postmates. It is serving its full menu, including signature drinks, prepared food and baked goods.

Noodles & Company is offering free delivery on all online orders $15 or more. The offer is available through March 31, 2020.

Buca di Beppo is offering free delivery on its family style classic Italian flavors. Each family special included bread, choice of Caesar or mixed green salad. For $36, this meal feeds four people. Each day is a different meal, which varies from lasagna to chicken Parmesan with spaghetti.

Insomnia Cookies understands that a cookie can be the perfect late-night treat. The local delivery radius has been expanded and that delivery is free with a $6 minimum order. Also, a premium box can be delivered nationwide at a discount with the code Cookies@Home.

Olive Garden is making its BOGO offer to go. Available only as a carside ToGo option, Olive Garden is offering its Buy One, Take One deal. Just like the in-restaurant option, orders include a hot ready to eat entrée and a free entrée for the next day.

Entrees include spaghetti and meat sauce, cheese ravioli and more. The deal is just $12.99.

Panda Express is offering a Family meal for just $20. The meal includes two large sides and three large entrees. The online offer is available through April 17, 2020. Additionally, Panda Express donated $2M to Feeding America.

Subway is offering free delivery through its providers. Use the code SUBWAYNOW at checkout.

Wahlburgers is offering takeout, curbside pickup and delivery at its participating local Wahlburgers.

Smashburger is helping crisis response teams. Now through April 28, “every monetary donation added to any Smashburger take-out order placed by phone, in-store, online, or on our app, Smashburger will match each dollar contributed to help provide meals to local firehouses, police stations and hospitals. All proceeds will go towards food drop-offs for first responders and healthcare workers.”

These restaurant deals are just a few of the numerous options available. Please check with your local restaurants for offers and other deals.

If you can, plese consider joining The Great American Takeout or supporting the restaurants in your area.