restaurants

Joe wants you to Sample that: One C.R. man is on a mission to help local restaurants gain fans

When Joe Sample started posting photos of his takeout food stops in the days after Iowa restaurants were ordered shut down to dine-in service in March, he didn’t think much of it. He just wanted to get some good food while supporting restaurants.

“I have a lot of friends in the food business. My wife worked at Elevate Salon and Emil’s Deli, so she’s not working right now,” he said. “I felt it was a great way to support local businesses.”

But then a new Facebook group dedicated to promoting curbside, delivery and takeout food options in Cedar Rapids sprung up — this week, it had more than 15,000 members — and Sample started sharing photos there. The 46-year-old Cedar Rapids resident quickly found himself having a new experience — going viral.

In a pandemic, that phrase could have negative connotations, but this was the positive kind of viral spread. The kind where hundreds of people liked his photos and commented on them. Then a Cedar Rapids T-shirt maker, Ivory Pearl Designs, started selling “Be Like Joe” T-shirts and other people started showing up to order takeout in the shirts. Soon, restaurants were asking if he would come take a photo at their restaurant.

“I just started it to have fun and posted a few fun pictures, and then I started having restaurants reach out to me,” Sample said.

He decided to dedicate his stimulus check from the federal government to the effort. Sometimes, he said he hits up more than one restaurant a day.

“I’ve hit close to 60 restaurants,” he said.

He’s leaned into the enthusiasm and found ways to play up the efforts. One day he dressed as Oscar the Grouch while visiting’ Oscar’s Restaurant in Hiawatha. On another day, he and one of his daughters bought plastic pig noses to wear on a stop at the Blind Pig in Cedar Rapids. He wears a Superman costume to some stops.

“I was totally surprised at how viral it went,” he said. “Now I’m just trying to keep it exciting.”

In his day job, Sample is a salesman for American Building Components in Mount Pleasant. He normally spends a lot of time on the road, selling metal roofing, siding and steel frame structures around the Midwest. These days, he’s working from home, making sales over the phone instead. He said going out to get carryout is a chance to see other people and get out of the house.

“It brings some normalcy to my life,” he said.

He has two daughters at home, age 9 and 15, and one son, 22. When he’s not eating out, he likes to spend time outdoors with his family, fishing, camping, hunting and coaching soccer. He admits his last name is a bit on-the-nose for his newest hobby.

“A lot of people ask, ‘Is that really even your real name?’” he said with a laugh.

Sample was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, which fuels his desire to support his town.

“My dad had Sample Pharmacies when I was growing up. People helped support us, so I figured it was the least I could do, to support other local businesses,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is, we want to keep them here. There are so many great restaurants in Cedar Rapids, and we don’t want to lose half of them. I’m going to try to keep going with this until they open the places back up, as much as I can.”

He also has helped do deliveries of donated meals to area hospitals and long-term care facilities. That effort started when his younger daughter’s Girl Scout troop had dozens of boxes of unsold cookies and few options to sell them once the pandemic hit. Sample’s family purchased them and sent them to staff at Mercy Medical Center. Since then he’s dropped off boxes of pita, hummus and gyro meat from Pita’z Mediterranean and American Cuisine, trays of cinnamon rolls from Oscar’s and other places.

“People seem to be very supportive in Cedar Rapids,” he said.

He gave a lot of credit to the Cedar Rapids Facebook group, which was started by Lindsay Leahy, Brooke Murphy-Fitzgerald and Shannon Hanson. Others like it have sprung up in Marion, North Liberty and Iowa City.

“I think this has opened a lot of people’s eyes; it has given people an opportunity to try new things,” Sample said. “I’ve seen more restaurants on here than I’d ever tried before.”

He’s also started to promote nonprofits like the Freedom Festival. He is helping sell the $5 commemorative buttons — even though the 2020 festival was canceled, the buttons will help support the organization’s operations. And he helped with a Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser, an effort which inspired him so much he signed up as a volunteer.

He said he hopes his efforts, and others like it inspire others to support the community.

“Keep supporting local, do your best to stay healthy, and when restaurants open back up, keep going to them,” he said. “They’re going to need our help for a long time to come.”

Comments: (319) 398-8339; alison.gowans@thegazette.com



  • Food & Drink

restaurants

How to Create an Online Ordering Page for Restaurants with WooCommerce

Until recently it was something normal for any restaurant to have a well-maintained website. Even so, it seems that for many restaurants this was something difficult to achieve. In these difficult times, for many restaurant owners and other businesses in this field, owning just a simple website is no longer enough. If you still want to remain in business you […]




restaurants

Community leaders are feeding Spokane and supporting local restaurants at the same time

As soon as state Rep. Marcus Riccelli returned home from Olympia, he jumpstarted a community-wide effort to feed Spokane constituents deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis.…



  • Food/Food News

restaurants

Which Restaurants Are Open For Deliveries and Take-Out?

The chamber of commerce is maintaining a list of local eateries still open for business. The Oakland Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of more than 175 Oakland restaurants offering takeout or home delivery. The City of Alameda had a similar idea, and has created a website listing about 85 restaurants.…




restaurants

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, has opened the Spinnaker Quarter which contains new restaurants, Pho, HUBBOX and Cosy Club.

GUNWHARF Quays are celebrating the New Year by opening a new dining area.




restaurants

Friday Feature: Virtual Dinner Concert Series - Helping Boone, NC Musicians & Restaurants

Thanks to Michael Greene of Boone, NC - a virtual dinner concert series, online, was organized as a way to help raise money for local restaurants, servers, and musicians in the Boone area that have been unable to work due to the mandatory closures of businesses because of the Coronavirus. This includes a Go Fund Me page set up to donate a little extra in the case someone can. Maybe this virtual idea spreads all over as a way to say thank you to someone for serving and entertaining all of us in the past. You can find them on Facebook @BooneRelief Posted by Host and Producer of The Friday Feature Interview of the Week, Paul Foster- WNCW Senior Producer, News Director, and Morning Edition Regional Host





restaurants

Restaurants ready to take back control, go digital to serve customers directly

Expressing the sentiments of the industry, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) said the 'logout' movement cemented the belief that the industry needed to take back control.




restaurants

Restaurants to share ‘loyalty’ as they fight for survival

Under the banner Rise4Restaurants, consumers can buy vouchers from any member of the National Restaurant Association of India and redeem them for a 25% discount on bills once restaurants open.




restaurants

Restaurants are giving out fake recipes to keep the customers' craving alive amid Covid-19 lockdown

How to keep customers’ cravings alive has become a challenge for restaurants.




restaurants

Liquor stock in excess of Rs 10 crore to expire: Maharashtra Hotels & Restaurants request for permission to liquidate stock

The association has stated that allowing liquidation of the unsold stock will minimize the losses and introduce working capital by encashment of the existing liquor stock.




restaurants

Allow us to sell liquor stock: Hotels, restaurants to govt

As per industry estimates, any standalone restaurant from an established chain could have alcohol inventory of ₹10-25 lakh lying with it. For five-star chains, the stocks are worth much more.




restaurants

Restaurants ready to take back control, go digital to serve customers directly

Expressing the sentiments of the industry, the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) said the 'logout' movement cemented the belief that the industry needed to take back control.




restaurants

Prosecutor threatens legal action against Wickenburg restaurants reopening during stay-at-home order

The letter by the prosecutor marked the second time businesses in town were contacted by authorities for being in violation of Gov. Ducey's order.

       




restaurants

Glasgowist: City restaurants eagerly await news of lockdown being lifted

People Make Glasgow safer while staying at home.




restaurants

Georgia restaurants in no rush to reopen, despite governor's decision

Although nearly two weeks have passed since Georgia Governor Brian Kemp allowed restaurants to reopen dining room seating, owners are reticent to resume business as usual. 



  • 2c2ce707-00d4-5a3a-bc23-2b835d9656d6
  • fox-news/health/infectious-disease/coronavirus
  • fox-news/us/us-regions/southeast/georgia
  • fox-news/food-drink
  • fnc
  • fnc/us
  • article
  • Fox News
  • Ryan Tillman

restaurants

Wenn Nobelrestaurants in der Corona-Krise zum Lieferdienst werden

Edle Restaurants satteln in der Corona-Krise um und liefern vorbereitete Menüs nach Hause. An ähnlichen Lieferdiensten sind bereits mehrere Food-Start-ups gescheitert. Denn das Geschäft ist kompliziert.




restaurants

Seattle Urban Farm Company cultivates customized rooftop crops for local-food-focused restaurants


Produce selection is geared toward each chef’s menu offerings.




restaurants

James Beard survey suggests 4 out of 5 restaurants may not survive a prolonged coronavirus shutdown — our critic on what we stand to lose


With a James Beard Foundation survey indicating that only one in five restaurant owners think they can keep their businesses viable, Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement takes a look at what we stand to lose.




restaurants

2 Seattle spots make GQ’s list of ‘Best New Restaurants in America in 2020’


GQ food writer Brett Martin visited 23 cities and 93 restaurants looking for the most exciting new places to eat. He found two home runs in Seattle.




restaurants

UPDATING: Seattle-area restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery during the coronavirus pandemic


Check out our interactive list, sorted by neighborhood, of Seattle restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery options due to the recent ban on dining in because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.






restaurants

Is Sysco Well Positioned As Restaurants Start Reopening?

Foodservice giant Sysco Corp. (SYY) has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic that has forced many of its customers such as restaurants, office cafeterias and hospitality facilities to remain temporarily closed. However, the company said it is seeing weekly improvements and expects this trend to continue. Sysco's primary customer base is the restaurant industry.




restaurants

With Gold Coast beaches set to reopen, mayor calls for comeback of restaurants and cafes

As beaches reopen on the Gold Coast, mayor Tom Tate has called on the Federal Government to allow the "gradual" return of the city's crippled hospitality industry.



  • Local Government
  • Government and Politics
  • Lifestyle and Leisure
  • Travel Health and Safety
  • Travel and Tourism

restaurants

A state-by-state guide to eating out at cafes and restaurants

It will be up to the state and territory governments to decide when cafes and restaurants reopen across the country. Here's how the situation is looking in your state.




restaurants

Oregon Restaurants Adapt To Survive Amid Coronavirus Restrictions

Few large sectors have been hit as hard by the coronavirus-related economic fallout as restaurants, bars and coffee shops. Many have closed temporarily. Some have shifted to delivery or to-go orders. An increasing number are closing permanently.




restaurants

Colon-Lorenzana v. South American Restaurants Corp.

(United States First Circuit) - In a lawsuit over the trademarking and continued sale of a chicken sandwich, alleging violations of the Lanham Act and Copyright Act, the district court's order dismissing the federal claims and declination of jurisdiction over the supplemental Puerto Rico law claims is affirmed where: 1) there was no violation of the Copyright Act because neither the name "Pechu Sandwich" nor the recipe are eligible for copyright protection; and 2) the complaint fails to sufficiently plead that defendant committed fraud in the procurement of a federal trademark for the sandwich.




restaurants

In Re: Cordua Restaurants, Inc.

(United States Federal Circuit) - The final decision of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) Trademark Trial and Appeal Board refusing registration of a stylized form of the mark CHURRASCOS is affirmed over restaurant company-appellant's appeal, where: 1) the Board's decision contains no harmful legal error; and 2) the Board's finding that the mark is generic is supported by substantial evidence.




restaurants

Salgado v. Carrows Restaurants Inc.

(California Court of Appeal) - Addressed whether an arbitration agreement could be enforced, given that it was signed only after the employee filed her employment discrimination lawsuit. Reversed and remanded for further findings.



  • Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
  • Labor & Employment Law

restaurants

Friednash: Deploy federal funds to feed seniors and rescue Colorado’s restaurants

The restaurant industry predicts that as many as 30% of all Denver restaurants and 22% statewide may permanently go out of business if they can’t open before the end of May.




restaurants

Friednash: Deploy federal funds to feed seniors and rescue Colorado’s restaurants

The restaurant industry predicts that as many as 30% of all Denver restaurants and 22% statewide may permanently go out of business if they can’t open before the end of May.





restaurants

What to order now from Colorado’s James Beard nominated restaurants — and why you should bother

Six Colorado restaurants and distilleries have been nominated for James Beard awards. Here's what to order from them.





restaurants

Polis says he’d like to see Colorado’s restaurants reopen in May — possibly before Memorial Day

Gov. Jared Polis said Friday that his goal is to have Colorado’s restaurants reopen in May, possibly before Memorial Day, depending on the effectiveness of the state’s new “safer-at-home” phase.




restaurants

Friednash: Deploy federal funds to feed seniors and rescue Colorado’s restaurants

The restaurant industry predicts that as many as 30% of all Denver restaurants and 22% statewide may permanently go out of business if they can’t open before the end of May.





restaurants

2 Chainz Feeds Homeless Instead of Reopening Restaurants



The rapper and his business partner pivoted from opening




restaurants

Meal Pick Up Plan Aimed To Help Restaurants

In light of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative aimed at keeping restaurants operating, with a “plan to have customers order meals online and pick up curbside. ” A spokesperson said, “Today the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce launched an initiative with the assistance of the City of Hamilton and the […]

(Click to read the full article)




restaurants

Appleby Support Restaurants With Gift Cards

Appleby’s Bermuda office is supporting local restaurants by giving all its employees $100 gift cards to use for takeout meals, or in the restaurants when they open again. Bermuda Managing Partner, Tim Faries said: “Appleby has deep roots in Bermuda and we wanted to do our part to support the local restaurants that are struggling […]

(Click to read the full article)




restaurants

Chefs In The City: When And How Will Restaurants Reopen?

The restaurant industry has lost $80 billion dollars during the pandemic. May 15 is the date restaurants in Ohio want to reopen , yet Gov. Mike Dewine has yet to say when that can happen.




restaurants

Theme restaurants or bars Japanese wish to visit

No words, just a map: OK, a few words; goo Ranking looked at what theme restaurants or bars Japanese might want to visit. Some of these restaurants are also popular with tourists and foreign residents, so perhaps you can find a new favourite in the list? Also note that some of the places have other […]




restaurants

Digital signage for Restaurants

Repeat Signage, user-friendly digital signage software, with built-in spreadsheet, is ideal for displaying menu items and tastebud-tempting images of food. Playlists of different presentations can be displayed at various times of the day to reflect breakfast, lunch, dinner and special offers. See examples on the Digital signage for restaurants page.




restaurants

Digital signage success stories for restaurants

Create single or multi-screen restaurant digital menu boards to tempt your customers tastebuds with meal choices. With Repeat Signage software you can create different presentations to be displayed on screen at various times of the day or week.




restaurants

Anthony Davis to help Staples Center employees, local restaurants and hospital workers

Lakers star Anthony Davis announces a partnership with world's largest cold food storage company to help Staples Center employees find jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.




restaurants

Table For None: Tom Colicchio Explains What Restaurants Need To Survive

The Top Chef judge is focused on keeping his industry afloat during the pandemic. "We're really looking at saving every restaurant, because we think that every restaurant needs to be there," he says.




restaurants

A 2020 timeline: This is how California could reopen, from restaurants and schools to offices and sports

A UCLA medical epidemiologist and infectious disease expert discusses a possible timeline for reopening California after the coronavirus shutdown.




restaurants

L.A. County will list restaurants that have had COVID-19 outbreaks online

L.A.'s Department of Public Health announced Tuesday it will publicly disclose restaurants that have had outbreaks of COVID-19.




restaurants

L.A. looks to help restaurants by capping food delivery service fees at 15%

A new proposed Los Angeles city ordinance could set a 15% food delivery service fee cap.