The restaurant industry has been hit harder than perhaps any other by the Covid-19 pandemic. Calling it a catastrophe would be an understatement.
Hindquarter Bar and Grille, a fixture in the local dining scene for over 30 years, is striving to push ahead and do business, even if it’s not quite business as usual. They are offering to-go food and patio dining Wednesday through Sunday from 12-8pm, as well as limited deliveries throughout the day. It continues to be a place where the elite can “meat,” albeit either outside or over takeout boxes. Kyle Greene, a manager at Hindquarter for 15 years, shares how the business has been adapting.
Have there been any menu changes?
KYLE GREENE: Yes, our menus are updated every day online. We have a lunch menu from 12-4pm and a dinner menu from 4-8pm. It’s a limited menu, and we order in a way that allows us to utilize only the freshest of ingredients. We’ve tried to keep our most popular items available, such as hickory smoked baby back ribs, applewood smoked pork chops, prime rib (available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only), margarita steak, and fresh salmon.
How has takeout food been going?
It’s been going well. We take extra time to make sure every meal is packaged with quality and love. We put sauces and salad dressings on the side, as well as keeping buns, meats, and produce separate. Our most popular takeout items are baby back ribs, prime rib, blackened salmon Caesar salad, and our daily special desserts such as house-made cobblers, cheesecake, and crème brulee.
What has the guest response been to dining outdoors?
We have added some tables in our side courtyard to further accommodate outdoor diners, which our patrons have enjoyed. Guests also love the fully renovated, heated patio. They love the fresh breeze, and it creates a very pleasant dining experience. Because outdoor seating is limited, reservations are recommended.
Have there been any silver linings to doing business during this pandemic?
The one silver lining is the way that the guests and staff have come together like a family to help us get through this crazy time. We have regular customers that love and support us, and our staff has donated time and energy to make sure the restaurant succeeds.
Hindquarter Bar and Grille, 303 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz. 831-426-7770. thehindquarter.com.
