Coronavirus News

Texas governor finally issues statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars

This kind of gathering is no longer allowed.

After avoiding the inevitable for more than a week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott finally shut down dining in restaurants and bars across the state of Texas, in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

In a March 19 press conference, Abbott declared a public health disaster in the state of Texas, imposing statewide closures of restaurants, bars, schools, gyms, nursing homes, and retirement centers.

The declaration begins at midnight Friday, March 20 and extends to midnight April 3.

Restaurants can still do takeout and delivery, which Abbott stressed was important.

"This allows the use of drive-through, pickup, and delivery options," Abbott said. "In fact, that is highly encouraged during this limited duration."

Abbott also waived regulations prohibiting restaurants to sell alcohol, allowing them to sell beer, wine, and mixed drinks to-go.

Abbott previously had left the decision to individual cities, creating a patchwork of confusion and disparity between neighboring towns, and frustration from those who had taken the proactive stance.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins shut down restaurants and bars with a declaration of disaster on March 16. The Dallas City Council then convened a special meeting to extend the date to April 29.

The city of Plano also shut down restaurants and bars through April 27.

Fort Worth and Allen initially tried to do halfway efforts by keeping restaurants open but limiting the number of customers before closing down on-site dining altogether. Frisco just opted not to close restaurants, so this state measure will override that decision.

Abbott said that Texas' traditional model of dealing with natural disasters wasn't sufficient, and that the state needed to "elevate our response to COVID-19."

"Last Friday, there were 39 cases of Texans who tested positive — today that number has grown to more than 140 people who have tested positive," he said. "Last Friday, there were zero death — today there are three deaths. There were 10 counties with coronavirus cases last Friday — there are at least 27 today."

"What we're dealing with now in Texas is not a local or regional disaster, it's far more than a nationwide disaster in that it is an international pandemic," he said. "It is essential that all Americans comply with the standards established by the Centers for Disease Control and Protection."

Abbott said that Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), insisted that Texas need a unified response, with four bullet points:

Every person in Texas shall avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10.
People shall avoid eating or drinking at restaurants or bars, or visiting the gym.
People shall not visit nursing homes or retirement centers or longterm facilities.
All schools shall be closed.

He said that grocery stores, hotels, and office workplaces can stay open, and also domestic travel.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

health

Tex-Mex News

Fort Worth restaurant Los Vaqueros spills dates on upcoming relocation

Courtesy rendering

Rendering of new dining room at Los Vaqueros.

There's an update on beloved Cisneros family Tex-Mex restaurant Los Vaqueros., which will be relocating to the historic Stockyards Exhibits Building at 2513 Rodeo Plaza in 2025.

According to a release, the big move for the restaurant will take place in the thick of the Christmas holiday:

The restaurant will remain open at its 2629 North Main St. location through December 22 at 3 pm. They've been in that space nearly 30 years.
The new location will open on December 26, just in time to ring in the New Year and welcome Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo visitors in January.

“This year has brought unexpected challenges, but also incredible opportunities,” says Cisneros Restaurants Inc. President Vicki Cisneros in a statement. “We are grateful to be able to celebrate one last Christmas season with our friends here before starting a new chapter two blocks down the road at Rodeo Plaza.”

Los Vaqueros Restaurant has brought Tex-Mex cuisine to the historic Stockyards neighborhood since 1982 and to Willow Park since 2008.

The original move was slated to take place in the summer, but they extended the timeline to ensure the space reflects the authentic essence of Los Vaqueros. That included collaborating with Bennett Partners Architecture and Design and IMGC, LLC, the family worked tirelessly to preserve the rich history of the Stockyards while incorporating modern restaurant amenities.

Cisneros says they wanted "to get it just right."

"This is likely the last restaurant my husband Johnny and I will personally oversee, so every detail mattered," she says. "From incorporating historic wood and barn doors from the original building to designing custom chairs, plates, and glassware, the space truly embodies the spirit of Los Vaqueros: it’s about cowboys, ranchers, and Tex-Mex cuisine.”

They also did not want to disrupt family transitions of dining at the restaurant during the Christmas holiday.

"We’re grateful to the building’s new owners for allowing us to stay through the season," Cisnerous says.

Fans can expect some fanfare between December 20–23, when they relocate the illuminated marquee sign to the new location in the 1910–12 Stockyards Exhibits Building — also a historic site, and home to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the John Wayne: An American Experience Museum.

Amenities in the new location will include a banquet room that seats 100, with an adjacent patio that seats 20 and a Fiesta Room that seats 50.

The restaurant will be open until midnight on New Year’s Eve, and will see the launch of “Los Vaqueros After Dark” on the weekends, an extended service that features a menu of enchiladas, tacos, nachos, and specialty breakfast items until 12:30 am, and bar service until 1 am.

Parking is free Sunday-Thursday at the nearby Billy Bob's lot (131 Stockyards Blvd.), excluding special events. On weekends, parking fees apply, but free parking options are available around the perimeter of the Stockyards, as well as separately managed parking lots that offer different rates and occasional coupons.

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